Pennsylvania teachers live and die by Act 48. Every five years, you need 180 hours of continuing professional education — and graduate credits are the fastest way to bank those hours. This post breaks down exactly how graduate credits convert to Act 48 hours, what PDE accepts, and where to find courses that qualify.
The Act 48 Math
One graduate credit equals 30 Act 48 hours. A 3-credit course therefore covers 90 Act 48 hours — exactly half of your five-year requirement. Two 3-credit courses and you have cleared Act 48 entirely for the cycle.
What PDE Accepts
The Pennsylvania Department of Education accepts graduate credits from regionally accredited institutions. Your course provider must report completion directly to PDE or supply an official transcript for you to report yourself.
Salary Lane Advancement
Most Pennsylvania districts operate on Instructional I and Instructional II certificates plus salary lanes tied to credits beyond the bachelor’s degree. A 15-credit lane jump commonly triggers $2,000 to $4,500 in annual salary — on top of the Act 48 hours.
Instructional II Credits
To convert an Instructional I (initial) certificate to Instructional II (permanent), you need 24 post-baccalaureate credits, often earned through graduate courses. Plan your course sequence to hit both the Instructional II requirement and your salary lane at the same time.
Accepted Course Formats
PDE does not distinguish between in-person and online graduate credits for Act 48. What matters is:
- Regional accreditation of the institution
- Graduate-level (not CEU or PD hours alone)
- Official transcript or PDE reporting
Browse our CSUP-accredited graduate courses — accepted for Act 48 hours across Pennsylvania.