Short answer
How do Waterbury teachers move to a higher column on the salary schedule?
Waterbury's 2026-27 schedule has BA, MA, 6th Year, 6th Year+15 and PhD columns. Thirty semester hours of approved study past the bachelor's, or a master's, moves a teacher to MA; 30 hours past the master's or 60 past the bachelor's reaches 6th Year. Study must be part of a planned program, or approved in advance by the Board. Pay starts the first day of school or March 1 after proof is recorded with the Superintendent.
Source: Agreement between the Waterbury Board of Education and the Waterbury Teachers' Association, 2026–2029, Article 25. Checked .
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How is the Waterbury teacher salary schedule organized?
Appendix A of the 2026–2029 agreement prints Schedule A-1 for 2026-27, A-2 for 2027-28 and A-3 for 2028-29. Schedule A-1 has five columns, BA, MA, 6TH, 6+15 and PHD, with pay steps 7 through 21. A note explains that step 20 was removed and the old steps 21 and 22 renumbered, and that "all teachers shall advance one step on the Salary Schedule during the 2026-27 school year."
The MA column is a combined column. Since July 1, 2024, teachers who would once have been on separate Masters and Masters+15 columns are all paid on "the combined 'Masters' (MA) Column." Our guide to reading a salary schedule explains how columns and steps fit together.
Which units count toward a Waterbury column change?
Semester hours of approved study, under Article 25, Section 2 of the agreement:
- BA. Since July 1, 2020, a teacher with a bachelor's degree is paid on the Bachelors column "regardless of additional hours of approved study," so the first move needs 30 hours.
- MA. "At least thirty (30) semester hours of approved study beyond the Baccalaureate Degree" or a master's degree; 15 hours past a master's or 45 past a bachelor's also falls in the combined MA column.
- 6th Year. 30 semester hours of approved study past the master's, 60 past the bachelor's, a Sixth Year Certificate or two master's degrees.
- 6th Year+15. 15 semester hours past the Sixth Year Certificate or two master's degrees, 75 past the bachelor's or 45 past the master's.
Paragraph 325 sets the program rule: study "must be completed in a planned program of an accredited institution of higher learning recognized by either Connecticut State Department of Education or the National Council of Accreditation for Teacher Education or the New England Association for Schools and Colleges or other Regional Associations for Schools and Colleges." The program must be approved by the institution and/or the Superintendent. Our article on whether a district will accept a course covers rules like this one.
How does Waterbury approve courses outside a program?
In advance, by the Board. Paragraph 325 of the agreement says "additional studies not part of an approved planned program must specifically be approved in advance by the Board upon the recommendation of the Superintendent or his designee." Each course "will be evaluated based on its value and legitimacy," and the decision "will be made within fifteen (15) school days from the receipt of necessary course descriptions." Past practice cannot be used as evidence for approval.
Credits finished outside an approved planned program are, under Section 5 (paragraph 334), within "the Superintendent's discretion to accept or reject." If you disagree with a decision, Section 6 lets you request a meeting with the Superintendent, to be arranged within 15 calendar days. Our article on pre-approval forms explains what to send with a request.
Course reimbursement is a separate track. Under Article 11, Section 5, teachers already at the MA level may be reimbursed for up to three graduate-level courses a year with a B or better and the Superintendent's prior approval, with forms due by March 15. The agreement adds that "a teacher may not use any course for which he or she has requested and received reimbursement to attain advancement to a higher salary column."
When does a Waterbury column change take effect?
Twice a year. Paragraph 324 of the agreement says a teacher who completes the requirements is paid on the new column "beginning either the first day of school or March 1 immediately following the recording of proof of completion of said degree and/or credits with the Superintendent of Schools." A 30-day grace period is allowed for presenting credits after the Summer Term or the Fall Term. Our transcript deadlines article has tips for getting transcripts in on time.
Do the same units count toward Connecticut certificate renewal?
Connecticut does not ask for them. The Connecticut State Department of Education's renewal page says "documentation of professional development (CEUs) is NOT required" to continue a professional certificate. Coursework matters mainly for salary columns and for the master's degree that leads to the professional certificate. The Connecticut renewal section has the details, and the Connecticut state guide compares Waterbury with Bridgeport.
Where can Waterbury teachers earn graduate-level units?
Every district, Waterbury included, decides for itself whether a course counts for the purpose a teacher needs it for: a column move, a stipend, license renewal or an added endorsement. No provider, university or website can make that decision, so the rules above come first, and written approval from Waterbury's human resources office is the safest record to have before you pay.
Before you enroll: Article 25 of the 2026–2029 agreement says study must be "completed in a planned program of an accredited institution of higher learning," and "additional studies not part of an approved planned program must specifically be approved in advance by the Board upon the recommendation of the Superintendent or his designee." Courses taken one at a time, such as University of the Pacific units bought through a provider, are usually outside a planned program, so send the course descriptions to the Superintendent's office and get approval before you enroll.
| Question | What Waterbury says | What to look for on the provider's site |
|---|---|---|
| Type of unit | Waterbury: Semester hours of approved study; 30 past the BA for MA | Semester or quarter units, graduate-level or not, and the university named on the transcript and its accreditor |
| Grade | See units that count | Letter grade or pass/fail on the transcript |
| Deadline | Waterbury: Proof recorded with the Superintendent; 30-day grace after Summer or Fall term | Published grading and transcript-posting time, and any rush option |
| Approval | Waterbury: Board approval in advance; for study outside a planned program | Course descriptions or syllabi you can attach to an approval form |
| Price | Not set by the district | All-in price per credit, including any university or first-course fee (compare) |
Graduate-level credit providers, listed with the same facts
With those rules in hand, compare providers on the same points. Providers listed on this site, each with the same facts:
- Teacher Friendly: self-paced online, units through University of the Pacific; $336 first course for 3 credits (price notes)
- Credits for Educators: self-paced online, units through University of the Pacific; $297 for 3 credits (price notes)
- PD Courses (University of La Verne): online or pdf, semester-based, units through University of La Verne; $420 for 3 credits (price notes)
- Teaching Channel: self-paced, units through a choice of eight universities; $489 for 3 credits (price notes)
- TLC Graduate Credits: self-paced, units through CSU Pueblo; $425 for 3 credits (price notes)
- Upward Teachers: self-paced, 1 to 6 months, letter grade, units through UMass Global; $240 sale for 3 credits (price notes)
The provider directory lists 28 providers and programs by what teachers need them for, and Compare sets published prices for 16 of them side by side, with transcripts from 11 universities. A listing on this site does not mean Waterbury has approved a provider or course; only the district can do that. TeacherPayGuide has commercial relationships with some providers it lists; how listings work.
Waterbury salary questions teachers ask
Does Waterbury pay for 15 credits past a bachelor's degree?
No. Since July 1, 2020, teachers with a bachelor's degree are paid on the BA column regardless of additional hours; the next column needs 30 semester hours of approved study or a master's.
Do I need approval before I take a course?
If the course is not part of an approved planned program, yes. The Board must approve it in advance on the Superintendent's recommendation, within 15 school days of receiving the course descriptions.
When does the new column start?
On the first day of school or March 1, whichever follows the recording of your proof of completion with the Superintendent.
Can a reimbursed course count toward a column change?
No. The agreement says a course for which a teacher requested and received reimbursement cannot be used to reach a higher salary column.
Where can Waterbury teachers take graduate-level courses for salary credit or renewal?
Waterbury decides which courses count, under the rules on this page, so check with human resources before you enroll. Providers that teachers compare include Teacher Friendly, Credits for Educators, PD Courses (University of La Verne), Teaching Channel, TLC Graduate Credits and Upward Teachers. They differ in format, transcript university, grading time and price; the provider directory and the Compare page list 16 providers with the same facts for each.
Sources
- Agreement between the Waterbury Board of Education and the Waterbury Teachers' Association, 2026–2029, including Schedules A-1 to A-3, City of Waterbury. Checked
- Renewing or upgrading your certification, Connecticut State Department of Education. Checked
Reviewed November 12, 2026 by TeacherPayGuide editors.Report an error