Top 15 Professional Development Courses for Teachers Online

Whether you’re chasing the next salary lane, renewing a license, or simply sharpening your craft, every course on this list delivers bona-fide professional development hours or graduate-level credits recognized by most U.S. districts. Transcripts, CEUs, or semester units—whatever your HR office requires—are part of the package.

Better yet, each program runs entirely online and lets you set the timetable. Self-paced modules, rolling start dates, and asynchronous discussion boards mean learning can happen during a prep period, a bus-duty lull, or Saturday morning coffee—no substitutes to line up, no evening commute to a college campus.

Below you’ll find 15 carefully vetted options ranging from ed-tech deep dives and trauma-informed practice to content-specific refreshers and Ivy-League intensives. Scan the quick snapshots, compare credit costs, and pick the experience that fits both your goals and calendar—the next great idea for your students could be just a click away.

1. Professional Development Institute (PDI) – Self-Paced Graduate-Credit Courses

Professional Development Institute (PDI) has been a trusted passport to graduate credit for teachers since the dial-up era. Its no-frills, click-and-go model means you can register today, start tonight, and log in whenever the bell schedule allows—making it a perennial favorite when educators compare professional development courses for teachers online.

Overview & Format

• Partnership with UC San Diego Extension awards 1–3 regionally accredited graduate credits.
• Six-week, fully asynchronous courses delivered in Canvas; enroll any day of the year.
• Instructor feedback via message board and email keeps you on track without set meeting times.

Key Learning Outcomes

Choose from 40+ topics, including:

• Differentiated Instruction & RTI
• Classroom Management for Challenging Behaviors
• Google Tools for 21st-Century Learning
  Learning happens through concise readings, video case studies, and short reflection prompts you can finish in a single prep period.

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

• Budget-friendly: about $179 per credit (one flat fee—no hidden tech charges).
• Digital transcript from UCSD typically issued within two weeks.
• Accepted for license renewal or salary advancement in 40+ states—check your district list.

Classroom Impact Example

After the “Integrating Tech in Literacy” module, a Grade 5 teacher revamped a novel study by having students script and film multimedia book trailers, then host a virtual premiere night—meeting both ELA standards and boosting parent engagement.

2. Teaching Channel – 300+ Continuing Education Courses

If you learn best by seeing great teaching in action, Teaching Channel is hard to beat. The video-rich platform turns real classroom footage into bite-sized case studies, then layers university-backed assignments on top—an engaging alternative to text-heavy professional development courses for teachers online.

Overview & Format

• Self-paced or facilitated cohorts inside Teaching Channel’s familiar video player
• Graduate credit issued through accredited partners such as Dominican University; start any Monday

Key Learning Outcomes

• “SEL Essentials” series for building emotionally safe classrooms
• “Culturally Responsive Teaching” pathway featuring student-voice clips
• “Math Workshop” modules that model small-group rotations and data talks

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

• Typical 3-credit course = $475; bundle discounts for multiple lanes
• One-year access; printable completion certificate in minutes
• Credits accepted for licensure renewal in most states—verify with HR

Classroom Impact Example

After completing the video-coaching track, a fourth-grade teacher recorded a mini-lesson on fractions, uploaded it for peer feedback, and tweaked questioning techniques before the next day’s math block.

3. Learners Edge – Advancement Courses for Salary Lane Changes

Learners Edge is the go-to name teachers drop in Facebook groups when someone asks, “Which professional development courses for teachers actually move me up the pay scale?” Now under the Teaching Channel umbrella, it still offers its own flexible, credit-bearing catalog.

Overview & Format

• 100 % online, asynchronous modules you can start any day
• Course content mapped to INTASC and ISTE standards
• Mix of readings, podcasts, and application projects—no mandatory live sessions

Key Learning Outcomes

Popular titles include:

• Trauma-Informed Classroom Practices
• Project-Based Learning Made Practical
• Equity & Access for Diverse Learners
  Each course ends with a classroom-ready artifact, so learning translates directly to student impact.

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

• Choose 1, 2, or 3 graduate credits via Augustana, CSU-Pueblo, and other accredited partners
• About $155 per credit with installment plans available
• Transcripts ship fast, meeting most district deadlines for lane changes

Classroom Impact Example

Completing the PBL course, a middle-school science teacher designed a “Clean Water Challenge” unit featuring driving questions, rubric-aligned checkpoints, and student reflection journals—ready to launch the next Monday.

4. Google for Education Certified Trainer & Level 1–2 Courses

For teachers living inside Google Workspace for Education, the official Level 1 and Level 2 training paths offer the quickest way to turn everyday clicks into documented expertise.

Overview & Format

• Free, self-paced modules inside Google Skillshop; each ends with a short knowledge check
• Optional certification exams ($10 for Level 1, $25 for Level 2) proctored online 24/7
• Trainers aiming for the “Certified Trainer” badge complete both levels plus a coaching portfolio

Key Learning Outcomes

• Streamline feedback with comment banks, rubrics, and voice notes in Google Classroom
• Analyze assessment data with conditional formatting and =QUERY() in Sheets
• Boost accessibility using Live Captions, closed-caption video uploads, and color-contrast checks

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

Training content is free. Many districts—including Chicago Public Schools—grant 15 PD hours per exam passed; submit the score report and digital badge as evidence.

Classroom Impact Example

After Level 1, a third-grade teacher built a differentiated reading assignment: auto-assigned leveled passages via Classroom’s dropdown rubric, real-time progress tracked in Sheets, and instant narrative feedback delivered with voice comments.

5. PBS TeacherLine – Research-Based Online Courses

Looking for PD that comes with ready-to-use media and rock-solid pedagogy? PBS TeacherLine blends the broadcaster’s award-winning videos with research-driven coursework, giving you one of the most engaging professional development courses for teachers you can take without leaving the couch.

Overview & Format

• Two delivery styles:
  • Facilitated cohorts with weekly deadlines and instructor feedback
  • Fully self-paced “Learn As You Go” modules
• Pick 15, 30, or 45 clock-hour options to match district requirements.
• All lessons stream inside an interactive LMS that links directly to the PBS media vault.

Key Learning Outcomes

• Early Literacy strategies anchored by beloved PBS Kids clips
• STEM inquiry and engineering design challenges
• Digital Media Production for student-created content
• Climate Education units featuring NOVA and Nature footage
• Earn micro-credential badges via hands-on whiteboard labs

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

• Add graduate credit through Arkansas State University for about $80 per credit hour.
• Districts can lock in bulk pricing to train entire grade-level teams.

Classroom Impact Example

A middle-school science teacher used a three-minute NOVA segment as the “hook” in a 5E inquiry cycle, prompting students to model glacier melt and satisfying NGSS Phenomena requirements in one swoop.

6. Michigan Virtual – Online Professional Learning for Educators

Pressed for time, teachers use Michigan Virtual to earn credit without extra paperwork. The platform offers everything from quick micro-credentials to full graduate courses, and the LMS logs hours automatically so you can focus on learning, not forms.

Overview & Format

• Self-paced modules or instructor-led cohorts with weekly checkpoints
• Automatic SCECH upload to the Michigan Department of Education upon completion
• Out-of-state learners receive a printable certificate recognized in many districts

Key Learning Outcomes

• Blended Learning Essentials
• Cybersecurity Basics for Classroom Tech
• Restorative Practices & Conflict Resolution

Each course combines short videos, readings, and a reflective journal that doubles as a classroom plan.

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

• 3-hour SCECH courses start at $99
• 30-hour graduate-credit options via Baker College ≈ $450
• 10-day money-back guarantee

Classroom Impact Example

After finishing Blended Learning Essentials, a ninth-grade history teacher launched a station-rotation model featuring direct instruction, Jamboard analysis, and an adaptive quiz—freeing class time for deeper discussion.

7. ed2go Teacher Professional Development Catalog

If you need a structured class with firm weekly milestones—but still want the comfort of logging in from your sofa—ed2go strikes a nice middle ground. Its six-week courses mirror a traditional semester pace without long Zoom lectures, making them a dependable option when you’re comparing professional development courses for teachers online.

Overview & Format

• Instructor-moderated with new start dates every month
• One lesson released each Wednesday and Friday, plus a short, mastery quiz
• Lively discussion forums keep you accountable but never require real-time attendance

Key Learning Outcomes

• “Creating a Classroom Website” for streamlined parent communication
• “Better Reading Strategies K-8” rooted in evidence-based literacy frameworks
• “Spanish for Teachers” that equips non-native speakers with classroom phrases
  All classes blend concise readings, demo videos, and practical worksheets you can copy straight into your lesson plans.

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

• Flat $129 tuition per course; CEU certificate issued instantly
• Optional 3 graduate credits via CSU Pueblo for an added fee
• Many districts accept the CEU plus syllabus as renewal evidence—double-check local rules

Classroom Impact Example

After the Web Design course, a kindergarten teacher built a mobile-friendly site featuring an embedded Google Calendar and photo gallery, cutting “When is show-and-tell?” emails by half.

8. Canvas Network – Teaching Online Certificate (TOC)

Because most districts already run on Canvas, earning the platform’s own Teaching Online Certificate feels less like learning a new system and more like unlocking “pro mode” on one you already use. The four-part MOOC is concise, practical, and—as a bonus—totally free to audit.

Overview & Format

• Open-enrollment MOOC inside the familiar Canvas LMS
• Four sequential modules, each 3–5 hours, with suggested 1-week pacing
• Mix of video demos, short readings, and peer-reviewed design checkpoints

Key Learning Outcomes

• Backward-design an online unit that meets state standards
• Run accessibility checks and add alt-text, captions, and color-contrast fixes
• Build authentic assessments with speed-grader rubrics and modular mastery paths
• Exchange peer feedback inside Canvas discussion boards

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

• Audit free; $99 for a verified certificate most districts count as 20 PD hours
• Self-paced—finish in a weekend or spread over a month
• Badge and completion PDF download instantly

Classroom Impact Example

After Module 3, a high-school algebra teacher built a UDL-friendly quiz using item banks and mastery paths, auto-releasing review videos to students who missed prerequisite skills.

9. Harvard Graduate School of Education – Online PD Workshops

When you want Ivy League rigor without relocating to Cambridge, the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) online workshops deliver. These cohort-based experiences rank among the most respected professional development courses for teachers online, mixing research and real-world application.

Overview & Format

• 2–8-week intensives guided by HGSE faculty and instructional coaches
• Cohorts limited to ~60 educators for meaningful discussion
• Combination of live webinars, asynchronous readings, and job-embedded action tasks

Key Learning Outcomes

• Conduct Instructional Rounds to uncover patterns in student thinking
• Foster a caring school culture with Making Caring Common protocols
• Use the Data Wise cycle to turn assessment noise into actionable insight

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

• Earn 30–50 PD hours (CEUs) plus a digital Harvard badge
• Tuition runs $295–$895; scholarships available for Title I educators
• 100 % online—no travel, no proctoring, just clear weekly milestones

Classroom Impact Example

After Instructional Rounds, a 4th-grade team scheduled 20-minute “learning walks,” discovered low student talk time, and retooled lessons to triple academic discourse within a month.

10. Coursera – “Foundations of Teaching for Learning” Specialization (University of London)

Overview & Format

Eight bite-sized MOOCs (roughly 8–10 hours each) stack into this Coursera Specialization. You can audit every video lecture, quiz, and discussion prompt for free, then subscribe only when you’re ready to unlock graded assignments and the final certificate. All work is asynchronous and mobile-friendly, so a commute or lunch break becomes study time.

Key Learning Outcomes

• Nail assessment literacy—from formative checks to summative rubrics
• Apply engagement strategies that boost wait time and student voice
• Map curriculum with backward design and standards alignment
• Explore education theory to justify instructional choices in PLC meetings

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

Coursera’s subscription runs about $49/month; most teachers finish in three months (≈ $147). Complete documentation—specialization certificate + course syllabi—usually satisfies 70 PD hours or 4.5 graduate-equivalent credits, depending on district policy.

Classroom Impact Example

A ninth-grade civics teacher used the backward-design template from Course 2 to re-sequence a voting rights unit. Pre-tests now anchor the inquiry, while the summative task—drafting a policy brief—feeds directly into a local youth-council presentation, giving students a real civic audience and purpose.

11. edX – “Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for Inclusive Classrooms”

edX’s Universal Design for Learning (UDL) MOOC ranks among the top professional development courses for teachers, helping you craft lessons that reach every student—regardless of ability, language, or device.

Overview & Format

Self-paced over six weeks (3–4 hours/week), the University of Tennessee–designed course runs inside the familiar edX interface most districts already whitelist.

Key Learning Outcomes

Participants unpack the CAST UDL guidelines, explore multiple means of engagement, representation, and action, and leave with downloadable checklists plus a starter toolkit for revising an existing lesson plan.

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

Audit free or grab the $189 verified certificate when documentation is required. Most districts count 24 PD hours, and Charter Oak can add graduate credit for an extra fee.

Classroom Impact Example

One high-school ELA teacher swapped a one-size-fits-all essay for a “voice-choice board” that let students podcast, storyboard, or blog their analysis—raising completion rates from 72 % to 94 % in a quarter.

12. Apple Teacher Learning Center

Apple’s Teacher Learning Center turns any iPad or Mac into a free PD lab where educators collect micro-badges at their own pace—an easy win when you need quick, creative refreshers between grading sessions and other professional development courses for teachers online.

Overview & Format

• Free, self-paced modules accessed with any Apple ID
• Minute-long screencasts and downloadable iWork files—best viewed on iPad or Mac
• Earn a badge for each app, then roll them into a shareable “Apple Teacher Portfolio”

Key Learning Outcomes

• Craft multimedia stories with Keynote, Clips, and GarageBand
• Introduce coding via Swift Playgrounds challenges
• Run real-time checks for understanding using Numbers templates and AirDrop

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

• Always free—no ads, no upsell
• Badges export as PDF; most districts award 8–12 PD hours per completed app set
• Download guides for offline study; progress syncs once Wi-Fi returns

Classroom Impact Example

After completing the GarageBand badge, a sixth-grade teacher had students produce podcast reflections on historical events. Engagement soared, and the audio files doubled as speaking-and-listening evidence during parent conferences.

13. Fresno Pacific University (FPU) – Educator Courses

Need a full semester’s worth of credit but zero time to sit in a lecture hall? Fresno Pacific University’s Educator Courses live inside a streamlined Moodle workspace that you can open during passing period or after bedtime stories. Instructor feedback is timely, enrollment is always open, and up to 18 graduate credits can post to your transcript in a single term.

Overview & Format

• 100 % online, instructor-led; start any day and finish within one calendar year
• Asynchronous readings, video demos, and discussion prompts
• Personalized email coaching plus rubric-based grading on every assignment

Key Learning Outcomes

Choose from 350+ titles such as:

• “Reading in the Digital Age”
• “PE for Diverse Learners”
• “Mindfulness in Education”
  Projects focus on lesson design, reflective essays, and immediate classroom application.

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

• $560 for a 3-credit course; pay-later plans and group discounts available
• Regionally accredited credits; transcript arrives within five business days
• Accepted for licensure renewal and salary advancement nationwide—verify locally

Classroom Impact Example

After completing “Mindfulness in Education,” a homeroom teacher integrated two-minute breathing exercises and gratitude journals. Tardiness fell 18 %, and on-task behavior metrics improved during the first month of implementation.

14. Idaho State University – OnlinePD Self-Paced Courses

For teachers who like to move at their own speed—and keep costs almost ridiculously low—Idaho State University’s OnlinePD catalog is a hidden gem among professional development courses for teachers. Everything lives in a clean LMS you already know how to navigate, and you get six months to upload your work, so there’s zero pressure if report-card season hijacks your calendar.

Overview & Format

• Open-enrollment, self-paced modules; start today, finish anytime within 6 months
• No live sessions; instructors review artifacts and provide feedback via LMS messages
• Graduate credit posts directly to an official ISU transcript

Key Learning Outcomes

• “Grant Writing for Educators” to secure classroom funding
• “EDU Breakout Boxes” for gamified, standards-aligned review
• “Google Earth Expeditions” that turn geography into immersive storytelling
  Projects focus on creating usable classroom materials rather than taking quizzes.

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

• Flat $55 per credit plus a one-time $15 recording fee—among the cheapest graduate credits available
• Earn 1–3 credits per course; transcripts mailed at no extra cost
• Accepted by many districts for lane changes and recertification—confirm locally

Classroom Impact Example

After the Breakout Boxes course, an English teacher built a “To Kill a Mockingbird” escape room where students cracked codes tied to symbolism and historical context—transforming a classic novel study into a collaborative, high-energy quest.

15. Courses4Teachers (Pacific University) – Credit for Independent Study & Workshops

Already doing the work? Courses4Teachers turns your existing workshops, conference hours, and home-grown curriculum projects into regionally accredited graduate credit, making it one of the most flexible professional development courses for teachers who hate busywork.

Overview & Format

• Convert district trainings, webinars, or self-designed units into 1–9 semester units.
• Submit an evidence portfolio (agendas, lesson plans, student samples) and a short reflection paper.
• All communication, uploads, and instructor feedback happen inside a simple online portal—no deadlines beyond the university term.

Key Learning Outcomes

Because learning is self-directed, outcomes align with your own goals, such as:

• Action research on student engagement
• Curriculum writing aligned to new standards
• Book studies that inform PLC initiatives

Credit, Pricing & Flexibility

• Flat $99 per unit; pay only for the credits you need.
• Transcript issued by University of the Pacific within two weeks.
• Accepted for lane changes and licensure renewal in most U.S. districts.

Classroom Impact Example

A high-school ELA teacher earned three credits by designing and piloting a cross-curricular “STEM in Literature” unit, then submitting student concept maps and reflection journals as evidence.

Keep Growing, Keep Inspiring

From Idaho State’s wallet-friendly $55 credits to Harvard’s faculty-led deep dives, you now have 15 proven pathways to renew a license, climb the salary ladder, or simply spark fresh joy in your craft—without canceling a single class. Each course is online, self-paced or flexibly scheduled, and backed by transcripts or CEUs districts already trust, so the only hard part is choosing where to start.

Pick one that fits your calendar, try out a new strategy on Monday, and watch the ripple effect in student engagement by Friday. Then keep the momentum rolling: browse the blog, snag ready-made unit plans, or test-drive our AI tools at The Cautiously Optimistic Teacher. Your next breakthrough is waiting.