Are TLC courses really 100 percent online with no live sessions?

Yes. There are no Zoom meetings, no scheduled class times, no synchronous requirements. Read the assigned book on your schedule, complete written reflection assignments, submit for grading.

Can I start a TLC graduate course during the school year?

Yes. TLC courses have no cohort start dates. You can enroll any day of the year, begin immediately, and work at whatever pace your teaching schedule allows.

How much time per week does a TLC graduate course actually require?

Plan for 5 to 10 hours per week for most teachers. Aggressive pacing (2-3 hrs/day for 14 days) or relaxed pacing (1 hr/week over a semester) both work — you control the schedule.

Convenient Format Graduate Courses for Working Teachers

You wake up at 5:30. You are at school by 7:00. You teach, plan, grade, attend meetings, manage behaviors, call parents, and coach until well past the final bell. By the time you get home, the idea of logging into a graduate course with a live lecture at 7 PM feels like a cruel joke. You need graduate credits for your salary step or license renewal, but you need them to fit around the life you are already living — not the other way around.

The Learning Collaborative (TLC) was designed specifically for this reality. Our 91 graduate courses are fully online, completely self-paced, and accredited through Colorado State University Pueblo. No campus visits. No scheduled class times. No group projects. Just coursework you can pick up and put down whenever your schedule allows.

Your Schedule Is the Only Schedule That Matters

Traditional graduate programs assume you have predictable blocks of free time. TLC assumes you do not — because you are a working teacher, and predictable free time is a myth.

Here is how teachers actually use TLC courses:

Early mornings before school: Knock out a reading and a short response before the building fills up.
Planning periods: Use a 45-minute prep block to work through a module at your desk.
Evenings after dinner: Settle in for an hour of coursework once the house quiets down.
Weekend blocks: Dedicate a Saturday morning and make significant progress in one focused session.
School breaks: Use winter, spring, or summer breaks to complete one or more courses at a comfortable pace.

The platform is fully mobile-friendly, so you can read course materials on your phone during a lunch break or on a tablet while waiting at practice pickup. Every piece of the experience was built for people who work on the go.

No Campus Visits, Ever

Some “online” programs still require in-person orientations, proctored exams, or campus intensives. TLC does not. Everything — enrollment, coursework, assignments, grading, and transcript delivery — happens online. You never have to drive to a campus, find parking, or sit in a room full of strangers on a Saturday you would rather spend with your family.

This also means location is irrelevant. Whether you teach in a major metro area or a rural district three hours from the nearest university, you have equal access to the same 91 CSUP-accredited courses. Our credits are accepted in all 50 states for license renewal and salary advancement, so your geography never limits your options.

Coursework Designed for Busy Professionals

We know what kills teachers in traditional grad programs: 20-page literature reviews, group discussion boards with arbitrary deadlines, and textbooks that cost more than the course itself. TLC coursework is built differently.

Assignments are Simple and usable Assignments — focused responses, practical reflections, and applied exercises that respect your time. You will not spend hours formatting citations or waiting for a group member to post their half of a shared assignment. You work independently, at your pace, with clear expectations for each module.

And the content itself is built around Relevant and Practical Graduate course topics for Educators. A course like Building Classroom Culture gives you community-building strategies you can implement during your next class period. Universal Design for Learning walks you through inclusive lesson design frameworks that make your planning more efficient, not more complicated. These are courses that give back time instead of stealing it.

The Financial Case for Earning Credits Now

TLC courses range from $149 to $495. Compare that to a typical university graduate course — often $1,500 or more per credit hour — and the math is clear. But the real financial story is what happens after you submit your transcript to your district.

Most district salary schedules award a permanent pay increase for additional graduate credits. One course that costs a few hundred dollars can move you to a higher salary step, resulting in thousands of dollars in additional income over your career. Fast Results. Real Raises. That is the whole point — earn the credit conveniently, apply it to your salary schedule, and see the difference in your next contract.

If you are approaching a deadline and need to move quickly, our Fast Completion Graduate Courses page explains exactly how the self-paced timeline works and what realistic completion windows look like.

Pick a Course That Actually Interests You

When you are fitting graduate work into an already packed schedule, motivation matters. Choosing a course that aligns with something you genuinely care about makes the difference between dreading the work and actually looking forward to it.

TLC offers 91 course topics. If technology in the classroom excites you, explore Artificial Intelligence in Classrooms. If you are passionate about reaching every learner, English Language Learners and Differentiated Instruction go deep on inclusive practice. If you are a career educator who wants to expand beyond the classroom, Grant Writing for Educators Made Easy builds a skill set that makes you invaluable to your school and district.

Browse the full catalog and pick something that makes the work feel worthwhile — not just obligatory.

For teachers who prioritize immediate classroom impact, our Classroom Application Graduate Courses hub highlights courses specifically chosen for their instructional payoff.

Start on Your Schedule

There is no enrollment window, no application, and no semester start date. Pick a course, enroll, and begin whenever you are ready — tonight, this weekend, or during your next break. The coursework will be there when you are.

Browse All 91 Courses

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to log in at specific times for live lectures or discussions?

No. TLC courses are 100% asynchronous and self-paced. There are no live lectures, no synchronous meetings, and no discussion boards with posting deadlines. You access the material and complete assignments whenever your schedule allows — morning, evening, weekend, or during school breaks.

Can I access course materials on my phone or tablet?

Yes. The TLC platform is fully mobile-friendly. You can read course materials, review assignments, and submit work from any device with an internet connection. Many teachers use their phone during downtime at school and switch to a laptop for longer work sessions at home.

What if I need to take a break mid-course for a few weeks?

That is completely fine. Because TLC courses are self-paced, there is no penalty for pausing. Life happens — conferences, testing weeks, family obligations. Pick up right where you left off whenever you are ready. Your progress is saved and waiting for you.

Convenient Graduate Courses for Working Teachers