FAQ

Q: Are the courses self-paced?

A: Yes, they are self-paced within the month you register. Everything is online.

Q: How long are the courses?

A: Most of our courses run monthly (start on the 1st of the month and end the last day of the month).  This allows you to focus on a course and get your certificate/ transcript in a timely manner.  The last day to join a current section is the 21st of the month.

However, we have several courses that run on a semester schedule

  • Teacher Leadership
  • Wellness Champion
  • Google Tools for Blended Learning 
  • Professional Development Leader
  • Google Hyperdocs
  • Chrome Apps, Extensions, and Add-ons

Semester-long courses have rolling open enrollment. You may enroll at any time, but you must finish the course by the specified dates.

Semester Schedule:

  • Summer: May - August (course must be completed by August 31st)
  • Fall: September - December (course must be completed by December 31st)
  • Spring: January - April (course must be completed by April 30th)

Q: How long does it take to finish a course?

A: While every student is different, in general we recommend allowing for the following time allotments:

1 credit course = 15 hours

2 credit course = 30 hours

3 credit course = 45 hours

Over 99.4% of Happy Teachers finish the course on time!

Q: Can I change my start date/ month?

A: Yes, you can change the start date on your dashboard by selecting “Change Start Date.”  It costs $15 to transfer to a different month to cover the Schoology fee.

Q: When will I receive my University transcript? Will I receive a letter grade or P/F?

A: You will receive a letter grade (90-100% = A, 80-89% = B). 

If you purchased graduate credit from our website, you will receive a transcript from Upper Iowa University (UIU). After you finish your course, be sure to click "Complete Course" from your dashboard. Your grade will be submitted to UIU. They typically post grades within 2–3 business days, and you’lll receive an email notification from UIU once your grade is posted. As soon as you receive that email, your official transcript is ready to order through the National Student Clearinghouse.

If you did not get graduate credit on our website and plan to purchase it separately from Adams State University, please note: We send grades to ASU on the 1st and 15th of every month, and it typically takes an additional 2–3 business days for them to process and post your grade. You’ll be able to log in to their portal to see when your transcript is available to order.

Q: How are the courses delivered and what are the assignments like?

A: Our courses are delivered 100% online and are completely self-paced, so you can work through the material on your own schedule. Once you complete your purchase, you’ll receive immediate access to your course.

To begin, simply click on “My Courses” at the top of our website.

Each course is structured into clear, easy-to-follow modules that include a mix of short, engaging video lessons, relevant readings, practical, classroom-based assignments.

The assignments are designed to be meaningful and relevant to your work as an educator. You can expect things like:

  • Reflective questions
  • Interactive discussions
  • Lesson planning activities
  • Classroom strategy applications
  • Short written responses

Q: How do I access my course?

A: You will access your course via the Happy Teacher website. 

  • Log into Happy Teacher
  • Click on “My Courses”  
  • Click on "Course Details"
  • Click on  “Go to My Course" 

This will take you directly to your course without having to log into Schoology. No course code required.

Q: What if I don’t see my course on the dashboard?

A: To access your course, click on “My Courses” at the top of the page. We use single sign-on with Schoology, so simply click “Course Details” to view your materials.

If you have any trouble accessing your course, feel free to reach out to us at classes@happyteacherpd.com—we’re happy to help!

Q: What is the accreditation and does my transcript show a letter grade?

A: Upper Iowa University and Adams State University are both HLC accredited.

You will receive a letter grade for your course.  

90-100% = A

80-89% = B 

<80 = F

Q: How do I get my certificate of completion?

A: Once you've completed all course materials, your assignments have been graded, and you've earned at least an 80%, you’ll be able to click “Complete Course” on your dashboard.

This will prompt you to fill out a quick course evaluation, and once submitted, your certificate of completion will be:
*Emailed within 24 hours.

*Available on your dashboard within 24 hours for easy access anytime.

Q: How do I get my transcript?

Upper Iowa University (UIU):
Once you complete the course, click “Complete Course” to submit the course evaluation, and your final grade will be sent to Upper Iowa University. When your grade has been posted, you’ll receive an email notification from UIU that your transcript is ready to order.

You can request a digital transcript through the National Student Clearinghouse for $10.
If you are completing multiple courses, we recommend waiting until all grades are posted so you only need to pay the transcript fee once.

Adams State University (ASU):
If you’d like graduate credit from ASU, purchase the course without graduate credit on our website. After completing the course, email your instructor for the most up-to-date ASU enrollment link. You’ll pay ASU separately for the credit.

Grades are submitted to ASU on the 1st and 15th of every month, and it typically takes about one week for them to post. You can check your grade status on the ASU student portal, and once posted, you can order a digital transcript via Parchment for $16.

Q: I purchased the course without graduate-level credit. Can I add it on later?

A: Yes, you have the option to add on graduate-level credit after completing the course.  If you select “purchase graduate-level credit” from your dashboard, your grade will be sent to Upper Iowa University.  If you would like to purchase a transcript from Adams State University, please contact your instructor for the most up-to-date link.

Q: What is your refund policy?

A: We have a no refund policy.  Please check with your district and state before you purchase a class.

Q: Can my school/ district pay for my course?

A: Yes, if you would like us to invoice your district, please contact us at “classes@happyteacherpd.com”

Q: Can I use Happy Teacher courses towards a Master’s in Education Degree?

A: Yes, you use four 3 semester courses (12 semester credits total) towards several Master’s in Education Degrees with Upper Iowa University. Check out this page for more information.

Q: How does Happy Teacher Cash work?

A: You receive:

  • $10 Happy Teacher cash for EVERY class you complete  
  • $50 Happy Teacher cash for EVERY new friend or colleague you refer
  • $5 for each: following us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
  • $10 on your birthday

Happy Teacher cash can be used on courses, graduate-level credit (only with UIU), and Happy Teacher gear- YETI mugs, NorthFace backpack, Simple Truth Water Tumblers, Canvas Tote Bags, and Silk Lanyards.

Q: How does my referral link work?

A: Login to your Happy Teacher account and click on Rewards

  • The Rewards pop-up menu should appear.  Scroll down and you will see Refer Friends and your unique URL.  
  • Share your URL with friends and colleagues via email or social media. When they make a purchase using your unique URL, they will receive $50 Happy Teacher Cash on their second purchase. You will also be awarded $50 Happy Teacher Cash for the referral (upon a short verification period).
  • Referrals are only valid for new customers.

Q: Who can I contact for additional information?

A: You can contact “classes@happyteacherpd.com” for any questions or additional information.