Professional Development Courses for New Jersey Teachers
Online courses built for busy New Jersey teachers. Take what you learn this week and use it in your classroom next week. Practical, content-rich, and structured to fit around your schedule.
New Jersey Teacher Professional Development Requirements
New Jersey teachers must complete at least 20 clock hours of professional development each school year. This requirement comes from N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-4.4 (N.J.S.A. 18A:6-128.a) and applies to every teacher holding a Standard Certificate, which is permanent and does not require formal renewal.
Your 20 hours are guided by an Individual Professional Development Plan (PDP) that your supervisor builds with you each year. The plan draws from growth areas in your evaluation, your school’s improvement goals, and the New Jersey Standards for Professional Learning.
Acceptable Credits and PD Hours for NJ
- Semester credits from accredited colleges or universities (1 credit = 15 PD hours), with an official transcript and letter grade. Best option if salary advancement is also a goal. (What we offer)
- Workshops and seminars from external providers, teacher centers, or professional organizations, with district approval
- District in-service training, including evaluation instrument training and school improvement PD
- Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and other collaborative, job-embedded learning
- Conferences with documented attendance
State-mandated trainings such as Suicide Prevention, HIB, and Right-to-Know count toward your annual 20-hour total
Key Terms
PD Hours = Professional Development hours (clock hours)
PDP = Individual Professional Development Plan
Annual Requirement = 20 clock hours per school year
1 Graduate Credit = 15 PD Hours
How Model Teaching Can Help New Jersey Teachers
Model Teaching offers graduate-level courses through regionally-accredited university partners. Each credit counts as 15 NJ PD hours and qualifies for salary lane advancement at most NJ school districts.
One 3-credit course gives you 45 hours, covering your 20-hour annual minimum for more than two school years. Course topics include classroom management, differentiated instruction, English learner supports, special education strategies, reading instruction, behavior interventions, and assessment literacy-all common NJ PDP focus areas. Browse our course menu to get started.
How Our Courses Work
Quick FAQs
Salary Advancement Courses For New Jersey Teachers
Model Teaching partners with regionally-accredited universities across the country to provide graduate-level courses to thousands of K-12 teachers and educators every year. Generally, school districts across the country provide various salary scale advancement opportunities to teachers that often includes participation in graduate-level professional development. Our university-partnered, graduate-level courses are an excellent and cost-effective way for you to earn the continuing education academic credit you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about New Jersey teacher license renewal and PD requirements
Suicide Prevention: 2 hours every 5 years, from a licensed health care professional (N.J.S.A. 18A:6-112)
HIB Prevention: 2 hours every 5 years plus annual district policy review (N.J.S.A. 18A:37-17b/c)
Reading Disabilities: 2 hours per 5-year period for K-3, special ed, ESL, and reading specialist teachers (P.L. 2013, c.105)
Evidence-Based Literacy (PreK-6): district-provided PD required starting the 2025-26 school year (P.L. 2024, c.52)
