Educator Certification Information
Course Acceptability
Educators may have questions about the acceptability of a course toward licensure requirements or salary advancement. Here are general guidelines to follow:
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The calendar system of credits used in Maryland is semester hours. Colleges and universities may use a different calendar system of awarding credits; therefore, MSDE accepts the semester hour equivalency. For example, 4 quarter hours of credit is equivalent to 2.7 semester hours of credit.
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The coursework should be completed for a grade of C or better through an accredited college/university.
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The coursework should be completed for MSDE approved continuing professional development (CPD) credits, such as our MCPS CPD courses (includes “CPD” in the course title).
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Coursework should not be duplicating previous coursework already completed.
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Coursework should be related to your educational assignment.
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If the coursework is through a foreign college/university, it must be evaluated by an MSDE approved foreign evaluation agency using the course-by-course evaluation.
FAQs
What does accreditation of a college or university mean?
MSDE will recognize credits and degrees earned at an accredited institution of higher education. In general, colleges and universities accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) are acceptable. Use this link to search CHEA’s database. If confirmation of acceptability is desired, send the inquiry to Marie_Bercaw@mcpsmd.org with a link to the college and course information pages along with how you are hoping to use the coursework.
What is an official transcript?
An official transcript is a dated transcript, bearing the seal of the institution or the appropriate color coding, and signed by the registrar. Only an official transcript is acceptable and must be received by the MCPS certification unit directly from the college or university. See the information page for instructions for submitting official documents.
What is acceptable credit?
Acceptable credit is defined in former MSDE licensure regulations as coursework taken after the bachelor’s degree at an accredited IHE or through MSDE approved CPD credits related to a school assignment; earned within five years immediately preceding the date on which the license is issued or renewed, including reading coursework unless exempt.
How do I submit my coursework for licensure or salary advancement?
It is the educator’s responsibility to maintain an accurate record of all post-baccalaureate coursework toward licensure and salary advancement in their personal records and to submit the official transcript(s) to the Certification Unit. MCPS will add official documents to the educator’s MSDE and MCPS records.
How do I update my highest degree or add another degree to my records?
Changes in degree status must be verified on an official transcript which must show the degree awarded and the date it was conferred/awarded. Anything other than an official transcript is not acceptable. Please submit the official transcript(s) to the MCPS Certification Unit. MCPS will add official documents and add the new degree information to the educator’s MSDE and MCPS records.
How do I verify if a course or degree that I want to take is applicable toward certification, contingencies, or salary advancement?
Please review the Course Acceptability information page for helpful information. After reviewing the information page, please submit a request via email to Marie_Bercaw@mcpsmd.org if you would like to make sure that a course is going to apply toward any requirements or salary advancement. Please include the following:
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Your employee ID
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College name, course information (department/number and title)
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The link to the college’s course information available online
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How you plan to use the course:
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For Advanced Salary Placement
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For Licensure Requirements or Renewal
NOTE: You must inform us if a quick response is needed due to pending registration, but in most cases, please allow a couple of weeks for a response.