Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Courses
CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development, formerly referred to as in-service courses. CPDs are MSDE approved credit-bearing courses. Teachers have priority when registering for CPD courses. Support staff and substitutes are encouraged to register for CPDs and can be considered on a space available basis. MCPS CPD courses receiving MSDE CPD credits count toward salary advancement and certification renewal for professional staff. For inquiries regarding certification and MCEA salary lane advancement, professional staff should contact the certification unit in the Department of Certification and Staffing.
Registration Fee Structure
The following is the registration fee structure:
- $30.00 for a 1-credit course
- $60.00 for a 2-credit course
- $90.00 for a 3-credit course
Permanent employees will have the fee assessed by payroll deduction after completion of the course. Non-permanent employees, including employees on leave, should contact the CPD office for the fee structure information, which is not reflected above, and to make payment arrangements. See registration information below for more details and instructions.
Questions? Call Michele Gessford, CPD Registrar, at 240-740-8035.
Contact Information
Office of Human Resources and Development
Montgomery County Public Schools,
45 West Gude Drive, Suite 2300
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 240-740-8035
-
Michele Gessford, CPD Registrar
Michele_M_Gessford@mcpsmd.org -
Maryann Hovde, Office Assistant III - CPD Courses
MaryAnn_Hovde@mcpsmd.org -
Marie Bercaw, Professional Development
Liaison for MCPS and MSDE
CPD NEWS
- REGISTRATION for Professional Development for the SPRING 2025
- SPRING semester (FY 2025) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) release date on the Professional Development Online (PDO) system is Monday, December 16, 2024. Active teachers (teachers not on leave) have priority registration in all CPD courses. Support staff and substitute teachers may register for CPD courses, but only on a space available basis; therefore, if a class fills up with active teachers, the support staff or substitute teacher may be placed on the wait list.
- NOTE: If you are changed to a long term leave status, but are still eligible to participate in the course, then understand that you will be assessed the additional fee. If you are changed to a long term leave status prior to the beginning of the course and there are active teachers on the wait list, then you may be withdrawn from the course to give priority to the active teacher.
- IMPORTANT NOTES --
- LEAVE STATUS -- Certain types of leave prevent educators from taking and receiving credit for MCPS CPD courses. Therefore, if you are or plan to be on leave, be sure to CHECK with the ERSC leave team PRIOR to registering for an MCPS CPD course.
- MCPS CPD COURSE CREDIT SLIPS for MCPS teachers are being provided ONLY to the certification unit for the educator MSDE and MCPS certification files.
- NOTE: These course credit slips will be placed in the educators MSDE TEACH file after successful payroll deduction for the registration fee. MCPS educators can refer to their PDO transcript for course information. As a reminder, ONLY MCPS CPD course credits will be recorded on PDO.
- FOR 12 MONTH EMPLOYEES -- If you are a 12 month employee and are planning to take MSDE/CPD courses during the duty day for credit, please provide a copy of your approved annual or personal leave slip to the CPD Registrar. This information is requested for auditing purposes only. If you do not want to receive credit for MSDE/CPD courses, please let the CPD Registrar know and the Certification Unit will be notified that you have declined credit and the information will be added to your certification file for future reference.
- ThinkPort MSDE Approved Online Courses
Thinkport wants to help you be the best teacher you can be. Through Think Career you'll be able to expand your experience through professional development programs and interaction with your peers online. - CPD FAQ re: MCPS-sponsored CPDs
- CPD FAQ re: Outside Agency-sponsored CPDs
- LIST of CPD COURSES Approved for MCPS Offering - Important Note: All courses listed may not always be offered during each CPD semester.
REGISTRATION
Register for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses on the MCPS Professional Development Online (PDO) website.
- Don’t see the CPD course you're looking for? We often receive courses after the initial posting in PDO, so please check again, or follow up with the CPD Office.
REGISTER EARLY -- SPRING semester (FY 2025) Continuing Professional Development CPD courses will be released on the Professional Development Online (PDO) system on Monday, December 16, 2024. Active teachers (teachers not on leave) have priority registration in all CPD courses. Support staff and substitute teachers may register for CPD courses, but only on a space available basis; therefore, if a class fills up with active teachers, the support staff or substitute teacher may be placed on the wait list.
Guidelines for non-permanent educators:
Non-permanent educators and those on long-term leave are placed into CPD courses on a space available basis. Check your email on a regular basis prior to the start of class in case you have been moved to the wait list or dropped from a class.
Non-permanent educators and those on long-term leave should contact our office for registration fee information and payment. There is an additional $50 non-refundable fee per course:
- $80.00 for a 1-credit course
- $110.00 for a 2-credit course
- $140.00 for a 3-credit course
Checks should be made payable to “MCPS” and sent to the following address prior to the end of the CPD course:
Office of Human Resources and Development CPD Registrar
Montgomery County Public Schools
45 West Gude Drive, Suite 2300
Rockville, MD 20850
If you have any questions about following these guidelines, please call 240-740-8035.