PDPs and Credit

Professional Development Points (PDPs)

MATSOL is an approved PDP Provider in Massachusetts. As a service to our members, MATSOL offers a PDP option for professional learning activities in compliance with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Recertification Guidelines for Massachusetts Educators.

PDPs for MATSOL Courses

MATSOL offers a selection of courses that fulfill the requirement for 15 PDPs in English learner education for recertification. See our Course Catalog for a list of courses. Please allow 2-4 weeks processing (after the date your final assignment is due) to receive your PDPs.

PDPs for MATSOL Conferences

The Massachusetts recertification guidelines state that professional development points cannot be given strictly for attendance at a conference, or for professional development that is less than ten hours.  Therefore, MATSOL cannot award PDPs for simply attending a conference, institute, or workshop. Instead, MATSOL can provide a Certificate of Attendance. MATSOL does offer PDPs for multi-day conferences plus completion of a final project or implementation assignment. See "Can I earn PDPs for attendance at a professional conference?" http://www.doe.mass.edu/pd/faq.html#A5

PDPs for Self-Designed PD

You may be able to secure authorization at the district level for a conference-based project for which your district issues the PDPs.  In some districts a Principal, Department Head, ESL Coordinator, etc., can approve a project and issue PDPs. Please contact the appropriate person in your district for information.  If you choose to pursue this option, may be required to submit a Certificate of Attendance issued by MATSOL. See "Can I earn PDPs for professional development that I design myself?" http://www.doe.mass.edu/pd/faq.html#A8

For complete information on earning PDPs, see: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Frequently Asked Questions: Professional Development Point (PDPs) at http://www.doe.mass.edu/pd/faq.html

Graduate Credit Option

For approved courses, students can elect to receive graduate credit for successful course completion through Fitchburg State University. 

Students enrolled in MATSOL courses will receive detailed instructions on how to register for FSU credit. You must register online with FSU for a course no later than either (1) up to the second class meeting or (2) fourteen [14] days following the first day of class whichever occurs sooner.

Fitchburg State University's credit rates are as follows: 1-credit rate is $210, 2-credit rate is $255, and 3-credit rate is $295. This cost is in addition to MATSOL's course registration fee.

Please visit Fitchburg State University's website for more info or to Request a Transcript.

Professional Development Points OR a Fitchburg State University Graduate Course Transcript may be used toward re-certification. A participant may use one or the other but NOT both.