Online Professional Development for Teachers: 15 Top Courses

You already juggle lesson planning, grading, and hallway duty—hunting down professional-development hours shouldn’t feel like a second job. Whether your state calls them CEUs, CPDUs, or graduate credits, the courses below can be completed from a laptop on your own schedule, many at no cost. Each option issues a verified certificate that meets most district or licensing requirements, so you can stop chasing signatures and get back to teaching.

Online professional development goes beyond scrolling through articles or watching a quick YouTube tutorial: think interactive modules, live webinars, micro-credentials, and even data-driven simulations that mirror real classroom decisions. To help you choose the right fit, we highlight five questions teachers usually ask first—price, proof of credit, time commitment, subject focus, and tech needs. The 15 courses that follow hit every combination: free and paid, one-hour refreshers and semester-long cohorts, broad pedagogy and niche STEM or SEL tracks. Under every listing you’ll find a takeaway tip so you can enroll with confidence.

1. The Cautiously Optimistic Teacher – AI-Powered Instruction & Differentiation Series

First up is our own bite-sized series for teachers who want results, not marathon webinars. It proves how powerful online professional development for teachers becomes when AI tools are immediately classroom-ready.

Snapshot

Each micro-course runs 1–2 hours, is self-paced and mobile friendly, and issues instant certificates; complete all ten modules and unlock a 15-hour transcript accepted by most districts.

Standout Features

Hands-on walk-throughs of the Worksheet Maker, Differentiated Instruction Helper, and Report Card Commentor
Downloadable lesson templates for classics like To Kill a Mockingbird plus blank unit planners
Optional live Q&A sessions so you can troubleshoot AI prompts in real time

Who Should Take It

Middle and high-school educators who crave faster planning or want to personalize tasks without burning prep periods.

Skills & Outcomes

Generate standards-aligned worksheets in under five minutes
Build Tier-1, Tier-2, and Tier-3 supports from a single prompt
Embed growth-mindset language pulled from the Brain Builders Workshop

How to Get Started

Create a free account at teachers-blog.com
Select “AI-Powered Instruction” and complete the two-minute pre-assessment
Book an optional 30-minute live Q&A inside the dashboard

2. edWeb.net – Live & Archived Webinars with Certificates

If you need hours fast, edWeb is the espresso shot of online professional development for teachers. Most sessions run 60 minutes, cost nothing, and generate a PDF certificate you can download the moment the exit quiz is done—no waiting for a facilitator’s signature.

Snapshot

Library of 3,000+ webinars, all captioned and searchable by grade, subject, or PD requirement
Live events daily; archived recordings available 24/7 for self-paced viewing

Standout Features

Real-time chat lets you swap resources with hundreds of peers
Topic-based “edCommunities” keep the discussion going long after the webinar ends

Who Should Take It

Teachers who need flexible, zero-cost CEUs for license renewal or want quick ideas for tomorrow’s lesson.

Skills & Outcomes

Fresh ed-tech tricks, literacy mini-lessons, and classroom-management hacks ready for immediate use

Tips for Success

Turn on calendar reminders, attend live for bonus giveaways, and complete the three-question quiz immediately to auto-save your certificate.

3. PBS TeacherLine – Graduate-Level Online Courses

Looking for something meatier than a one-hour webinar? PBS TeacherLine runs instructor-facilitated courses that feel like mini–graduate seminars but still fit a teacher’s calendar. Because the catalog is backed by a public-media powerhouse, districts recognize the rigor—and many offer lane-change credit for completed cohorts.

Snapshot

15–45 instructional hours per course
$125–$495, with an optional 3 graduate credits through partner universities
Six-week pacing, weekly deadlines, and a verified completion certificate

Standout Features

Research-based readings paired with classroom application tasks
Discussion boards moderated by a trained facilitator
Built-in media library of PBS videos, interactives, and lesson plans

Who Should Take It

Educators who need accredited credits for salary advancement or license renewal and value peer interaction over solo learning.

Skills & Outcomes

Deepen content knowledge in STEM, literacy, or early childhood
Create downloadable lesson artifacts ready for immediate use
Hone reflective practice via weekly journals

How to Enroll

Browse the course catalog, confirm your district accepts PBS/graduate credit, then register before the published start date—seats cap quickly.

4. Google for Education Teacher Center – Certified Educator Levels 1 & 2

If your district lives inside Google Workspace, these free, self-paced modules are some of the quickest ways to earn recognized online professional development for teachers while turbo-charging daily workflow. Passing the optional certification exams unlocks a digital badge many districts accept as proof of tech proficiency and continuing-ed hours.

Snapshot

13 bite-size units per level; most teachers finish Level 1 in 6–8 hours
Training content is free; Level 1 exam $10, Level 2 exam $25
Printable certificate and badge valid for three years

Standout Features

Interactive simulations that mimic real Docs, Slides, and Classroom tasks
Scenario-based quizzes that reinforce best practices for accessibility and privacy

Who Should Take It

Teachers running 1:1 Chromebooks, tech coaches, or anyone tasked with supporting colleagues on Google tools.

Skills & Outcomes

Automate feedback with comment banks and =importRange gradebooks
Use Classroom’s originality reports to curb plagiarism
Activate ChromeVox and Live Captions to meet UDL guidelines

Exam Prep Advice

Block a three-hour window, keep a second device handy for resources, and practice the 3-2-1 reflection method: 3 shortcuts mastered, 2 workflow tweaks, 1 accessibility feature to model tomorrow.

5. Coursera – “Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms” (Relay GSE)

Character education isn’t another poster on the wall—it’s a daily routine that shapes how students treat one another and approach learning. Relay Graduate School of Education distilled its graduate course into a compact MOOC on Coursera, making it one of the most practical pieces of online professional development for teachers who want evidence-based SEL without a hefty price tag.

Snapshot

14 hours total, broken into four self-paced modules
Audit free; pay about $49 for an optional shareable certificate and CEU documentation

Standout Features

Video case studies that model “warm strict” expectations
Guided reflection journals auto-saved in Google Docs for easy sharing with mentors

Who Should Take It

K–12 teachers aiming to weave the 7 R’s—Relationships, Rules, Routines, Rights, Responsibilities, Respect, Rewards—into classroom culture.

Skills & Outcomes

Script character-building “narrated walkthroughs” for transitions
Design weekly rituals that reinforce respect and responsibility
Track behavior data with the provided =COUNTIF spreadsheet template

Implementation Tip

Use the downloadable lesson planner to select one Character Focus (e.g., perseverance) each week; link it to a tangible routine like exit tickets or peer shout-outs so students see virtues in action.

6. Harvard Online – “Introduction to Data Wise”

When assessment numbers pile up, the hardest part is turning them into a plan. This short Harvard MOOC shows exactly how, making data literacy feel less like statistics class and more like practical online professional development for teachers.

Snapshot

8-week schedule; about 10–12 total hours
Free to audit; $149 for verified certificate you can submit for CEUs
Hosted on edX with mobile app access

Standout Features

Step-by-step walkthrough of the eight-stage Data Wise Improvement Process
Downloadable Data Action Planning template and video exemplars from real schools
Optional peer forums moderated by Data Wise coaches

Who Should Take It

Instructional coaches, PLC leads, or any teacher asked to present benchmark results at grade-level meetings.

Skills & Outcomes

Organize formative and summative data in a single dashboard
Write precise learner-centered problems of practice
Plan quick “impact checks” to see if an adjustment worked

Getting the Most Out of It

Gather last semester’s unit assessments before you start; completing the capstone with authentic numbers turns the final project into a ready-to-share improvement roadmap.

7. University of San Diego PCE – Self-Paced Professional Certificates

Need graduate-level credit without a semester-long commitment? USD’s Professional & Continuing Education program turns online professional development for teachers into on-demand, university-backed micro-courses you can finish on your own clock.

Snapshot

1–3 graduate credits per course
Tuition $129–$405; six-month access window
Official transcript and printable certificate mailed within two weeks

Standout Features

Research-based video mini-lectures plus downloadable planning templates
Choice of reflection paper or classroom project as the final assessment
Integrated gradebook shows real-time progress toward credit hours

Who Should Take It

Classroom teachers hunting for salary-lane or license-renewal credits and wanting topics like Dynamic Vocabulary or Rethinking Grading delivered in bite-size chunks.

Skills & Outcomes

Design tiered vocabulary routines aligned to CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L standards
Audit grading policies for equity, then build a standards-based rubric you can deploy next unit

Enrollment Checklist

Verify your state or district accepts USD graduate credit.
Request the syllabus for pre-approval.
Enroll, download the pacing guide, and calendar two work blocks per week to stay on track.

8. ed2go Teacher Professional Development Catalog

Need structure but hate rigid cohort dates? ed2go lets you start nearly any Monday, so your PD clock syncs with your planner—not the other way around.

Snapshot

Six-week instructor-led courses; new sessions every month
$125–$155 with 24/7 access; CEUs or 2.4 PDHs per course

Standout Features

Weekly “virtual office hours” for real-time questions
Mobile-friendly lessons and auto-graded quizzes that unlock the next module

Who Should Take It

Busy educators, long-term subs, and paraprofessionals who need flexible, low-cost online professional development for teachers.

Skills & Outcomes

Popular tracks on inclusion strategies, behavior management, and Google Tools collaboration
Create a ready-to-use action plan during the final discussion assignment

Time-Management Tip

Block two 45-minute slots each week—one to skim readings, one to tackle the quiz—so you finish before the next unit drops.

9. Model Teaching – License Renewal & Salary Advancement Courses

Model Teaching is a no-frills workhorse that lets you rack up verified PD hours without juggling cohort calendars or waiting for transcripts.

Snapshot

1–4 graduate-credit courses; $95–$525
Self-paced with 12-month access
Instant certificate plus optional university transcript

Standout Features

“Build-Your-Own Bundle” discounts to hit 20, 40, or 60-hour targets
Rubric-guided projects that double as ready-to-teach lessons

Who Should Take It

Teachers in states with strict renewal hour counts (TX, FL, IL) or anyone eyeing a salary lane jump who needs proof fast.

Skills & Outcomes

Draft differentiated lesson plans aligned to UDL and state standards
Apply STEP-by-STEP data analysis to tweak instruction

How Assessment Works

Upload a lesson artifact or reflective paper; a certified evaluator scores it within 48 hours, unlocks feedback, and auto-generates your printable certificate.

10. Canvas Network – “Blended Learning Practice”

Canvas Network’s Blended Learning Practice is a community-driven MOOC that shows you how to mix in-person teaching with online elements without turning your classroom into a tech circus. Over five weeks you’ll prototype, test, and refine a blended lesson while swapping feedback with teachers around the globe—all for free.

Snapshot

5-week asynchronous course hosted on Canvas Network
Free enrollment; optional Credly badge on completion

Standout Features

Peer-review workflow mirrors student feedback cycles
Design-thinking sprints guide you from ideation to launch

Who Should Take It

Educators shifting from fully online back to hybrid or station rotation

Skills & Outcomes

Outline station-rotation, flipped, and flex schedules that respect seat-time rules
Curate digital content and monitor engagement with Canvas analytics

Common Pitfall to Avoid

Overloading students with too many tools is the number-one complaint; the course emphasizes a “less-is-more” rule—two core platforms plus one backup are plenty.

11. Microsoft Learn Educator Center – MIE Certification Path

Microsoft’s Learn Educator Center turns your daily use of Teams, OneNote, and Flip into verifiable PD hours. The free MIE route is a quick win for districts already running Microsoft 365 and for teachers hunting recognizable online professional development without cracking open the wallet.

Snapshot

Free, self-paced learning paths; core track takes 4–6 hours
Short knowledge checks after each mini-lesson; 80 % average unlocks the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) badge
Printable transcript lists estimated seat time for CEU submission

Standout Features

Interactive sandbox lets you practice inside a live Teams environment
Step-by-step Immersive Reader and Translator tutorials for accessibility compliance

Who Should Take It

Classroom teachers, SPED specialists, and tech coaches in Microsoft 365 schools
Educators needing quick, documented hours for mid-year evaluations

Skills & Outcomes

Set up Class Teams with breakout channels in under five minutes
Embed formative quizzes with Forms and auto-sync scores to OneNote

Badge Maintenance

Complete two new micro-courses each year to keep the credential current—an easy way to bank future PD hours.

12. Virtual Virginia Professional Learning Program

Virtual Virginia’s PD catalog proves you don’t have to live in the Commonwealth to access affordable, standards-aligned training. Courses blend live webinars with self-paced tasks, so time zones never get in the way.

Snapshot

Free 1-hour webinars plus 4-week facilitated courses under $45
Certificates for 5–30 hours delivered instantly via Canvas LMS

Standout Features

Focus on digital citizenship, virtual classroom management, and equity in online spaces
Optional “coaching circles” for personalized feedback

Who Should Take It

Distance-learning teachers nationwide, mentors building virtual teaching capacity, and ed-tech coordinators.

Skills & Outcomes

Design engaging asynchronous lessons with Canvas or Blackboard templates
Create SEL check-ins and discussion norms that keep webcams on and minds engaged

Insider Tip

Stack the free “Virtual Teaching 101” webinar with the low-cost “Student Wellness” session—you’ll hit many districts’ annual SEL + tech requirements in one go.

13. Learners Edge Graduate Credit Courses

Need master’s-level credits without stalling your momentum mid-semester? Learners Edge partners with regionally accredited universities to offer asynchronous courses teachers can finish in as little as four weeks—then cash in for salary lane movement or state renewal.

Snapshot

3 graduate credits per course
Tuition $425–$645, all materials included
6-month access window; digital transcript within two weeks

Standout Features

Dedicated course advisor to troubleshoot requirements
Choice of written paper or classroom project as the final artifact

Who Should Take It

Educators eyeing master’s equivalency credits, career changers completing licensure catch-up, and anyone who prefers flexible pacing over fixed cohorts.

Skills & Outcomes

Apply trauma-informed strategies, arts integration, or equity frameworks to an existing unit
Compile a ready-to-submit professional portfolio for evaluation committees

Budget Hint

File your district’s tuition-reimbursement form before enrolling—Learners Edge issues itemized receipts and W-9 paperwork that accounting departments love.

14. National Geographic Educator Certification

National Geographic’s free Educator Certification program turns curiosity into a recognized credential by guiding teachers through inquiry, exploration, and storytelling. It folds seamlessly into any content area while meeting many districts’ PD hour rules. Completion typically documents 20+ PD hours toward license renewal.

Snapshot

Free, self-paced modules (~6 hours) + capstone fieldwork (~14 hours)
Digital badge and entry to global educator network
Start anytime; finish at your pace within one semester

Standout Features

Mentor feedback on your filmed lesson
Geo-Inquiry framework resources
Access to high-resolution maps and ArcGIS StoryMap templates

Who Should Take It

Science, social studies, and ELA teachers who want authentic global citizenship projects without pricey travel.

Skills & Outcomes

Facilitate student-driven investigations using the Q–Q–Q chart (question, collect, quality)
Coach learners to craft multimedia stories that spur local action

Fieldwork Suggestion

Survey biodiversity on the school grounds or map neighborhood food deserts—both satisfy the capstone and require only a phone camera.

15. Waterford Reading Academy – Literacy Professional Learning Modules

Early reading success hinges on teacher know-how, but carving out time for phonics refreshers can feel impossible. Waterford Reading Academy solves that with bite-size, evidence-based modules you can finish during a planning period—and still walk away with printable proof of professional learning.

Snapshot

Free, self-paced lessons, 1–3 hours each
Instant PDF certificate worth equivalent PD hours
Works on any device and auto-saves progress

Standout Features

Video demos of research-validated phonological routines
Downloadable family-engagement packets in English and Spanish
Built-in progress check quizzes to lock in mastery

Who Should Take It

K–3 teachers, reading specialists, and RTI/MTSS leads needing quick literacy hours that align with Science of Reading guidelines.

Skills & Outcomes

Diagnose phonological awareness with five-minute screeners
Plan explicit instruction for blending, segmenting, and automatic word recognition
Leverage home-connection resources to extend practice beyond school

Implementation Tip

Schedule the complimentary 30-minute coaching call after your first module; the coach helps translate strategies into tomorrow’s mini-lesson plan.

Wrapping It Up

Online professional development doesn’t have to mean marathon Saturdays in a hotel ballroom. The 15 options above let you bank verified hours, graduate credit, or shiny new badges without leaving your classroom—or your couch. More important, each course turns new knowledge into something tangible: a data dashboard, an AI-generated worksheet, a blended-learning routine, or a student-led inquiry project you can launch next period.

Here’s a simple roadmap: pick one bite-sized course (edWeb, Waterford, or our AI micro-module) and finish it this week to get momentum. Then pencil in a longer, credit-bearing program—maybe Harvard’s Data Wise or a three-credit Learners Edge course—for a grading-period break when you can dive deeper. By staggering short wins with bigger goals, you’ll keep your license current and your teaching toolbox fresh all year.

Curious for more classroom hacks and AI-powered planning tips? Swing by The Cautiously Optimistic Teacher and keep the learning rolling.