THE CTA UNIVERSITY CREDIT PROGRAM provides members the opportunity to earn professional growth hours needed to claim CTA-paid university credits through our partner, California State University, Chico.

More than 20,000 CTA members have earned professional development hours that qualify them for CTA-paid university units and over 100,000 university units have been awarded to CTA members through the program. Most members in the program have been able to advance on their district salary schedule with an average annual salary increase of $3,300 per member!

As a benefit to all members, our union covers the cost of up to 12 units per school year. Six units can be claimed September–May and an additional six units can be claimed over the summer, June–August. Twelve units per school year are included with your CTA membership and members can purchase an additional three units for only $85 each. Most universities would charge over $5,000 for 15 units.

Members can earn professional development hours by attending more than 15 different CTA conferences held throughout the year or by streaming on-demand workshops via the CTA Virtual Pass to Online Learning, also known as the CTA Virtual Pass. With more than 300 online workshops and trainings to choose from in our catalog, there are offerings for all types of development and interests. The most popular sessions have been curated into 12 categories ranging from classroom management to special education to social justice, leadership and more. Fifteen professional development hours can be used to claim one University Unit.

Since the program’s inception in 2020, courses from the online catalog have been viewed nearly two million times. Last year alone, CTA members earned 40,000 university credits.

Learn more about the program at cta.org/credit and get started today!

What Members Are Saying About the Program

“I’ve learned so many new things that I’ve been able to
incorporate into my teaching.”

“I’ve been able to quickly advance on the salary scale
early in my career.”

“I’m a newer teacher and because I was able to advance on the salary scale through the CTA University Credit Program, I’ve been able to quit my second job.”

One member reported earning 45 units over the past three years through the program, resulting in a $20,000 annual salary increase.

Find out more at cta.org/credit and get started on your journey.