Frequently Asked Questions
About Learner's Edge
Who is Learner's Edge Inc.?
What qualifications do Learner's Edge instructors have?
Why choose Learner's Edge Inc.?
What other sorts of professional development options do you offer?
Learner's Edge is accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission, what does this mean?
What types of credit cards does Learner's Edge accept?
Please provide me with Learner's Edge contact information?
General Course Information
How is my grade determined?
What if I have questions while working on a course?
Are there any additional fees for these courses?
What about international orders?
How often do you offer your courses?
What are the requirements for your distance learning coursed (print-based and online)?
Do Learner's Edge courses qualify for student loan deferment?
What if I need to cancel a distance learning course?
What is the difference between print-based and online courses?
How many credits can I take?
Can I register for a semester early, even though that semester hasn't officially started?
What are LEI's registration and coursework deadlines?
I am having trouble completing my course by the session deadline, are extensions granted?
Can I take your courses if I am not a classroom teacher?
Can I take your courses if I am not currently in the classroom?
Does Learner's Edge have a Collaboration Policy?
Transcript Information
How do I receive a transcript?
What if I need to meet an upcoming transcript deadline, can I submit my coursework early?
What should I do if I receive a letter about incomplete coursework for my St. Thomas course?
Lane Change/License Renewal
Will these courses count toward a lane change and/or license renewal?
What if I want to use Learner's Edge courses to help fulfill Pennsylvania's Act 48 requirements?
Will your courses work for teachers in Wisconsin?
What if I don’t need graduate credit? Does Learner’s Edge offer clock hours, units or points?
When should I have my coursework completed if I need to renew my Teaching License by June 30th?
About Learner's Edge
Q. Who is Learner's Edge Inc.?
Our company was founded on the following beliefs:
- Teachers need meaningful, relevant, professional development that can be immediately applied in their classrooms.
- Teachers will get the most out of their courses if they can work when and where they choose.
- Continuing education graduate courses can't break the bank.
- Ultimately, the most important outcome of professional development is that teachers improve their craft and students achieve at higher levels.
In short, just like you, Learner's Edge is teachers and education supporters wanting to make a difference in education.
Q. What qualifications do Learner's Edge instructors have?
All of our instructors share our commitment to quality professional development. Each holds a Masters Degree or higher and has significant teaching experience at various grade levels/subject areas.
Q. Why choose Learner's Edge Inc.?
Because we are committed to and passionate about:
- Creating the best courses and providing you with a great experience.
- Respecting your pocketbook.
- Understanding your need for relevance, flexibility and new ideas.
- Supporting you to the "nth" degree with ridiculously timely and helpful customer service.
Q. What other sorts of professional development options do you offer?
District/School Initiatives: Align district/school goals and initiatives with graduate credit! We can partner with your district/school to offer graduate credit for extension activities tied to staff development goals/programs. Please contact us for more details.
Book Studies: Create a book study centered around a popular text of your choice. Share your learning and excitement with other teachers at your school around concepts/strategies of similar interest. Please contact us for more details.
Workshops/Conferences: In association with our partner organizations, Learner's Edge coordinates graduate credit for a variety of workshops and conferences. Click here for more information.
i-Course: A Learner’s Edge exclusive, the i-Course is an independent study course that enables you to pursue a topic of particular personal and professional relevance and interest. You have the option to earn credit or clock hours for work on a topic of your choice based on virtually any suitable reference text that will help improve you instruction and student learning.
Q. Learner's Edge is accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission, what does this mean?
The Northwest Accreditation Commission is one of the nation's six acknowledged accreditation agencies. Accreditation promotes continual school improvement leading to greater student achievement. In order to become an accredited institution, schools must met eight standards in the following areas: teaching and learning, support standards and school improvement.
To maintain accredited status, schools must demonstrate they meet the Standards of Accreditation and continually work to improve student performance. Ultimately, this assures you that Learner's Edge has a continued commitment to integrity, educational excellence and high academic standards. Because of its accreditation, Learner’s Edge now has the ability to offer clock hours for a variety of professional development activities and courses. In fact, all of our courses can now be taken for various levels of clock hours, depending on your particular need.
If you are interested in taking our courses for graduate credit, you may choose among our 4 regionally accredited university/college partners for such credit. Each of our partner universities is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the NCA (North Central Association) as well as NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) or TEAC (Teacher Education Accreditation Council). Some school districts require that courses for relicensure or salary advancement be taken from a regionally accredited university; this is exactly what we offer you with our partnerships with North Dakota State University, Colorado State University-Pueblo, University of St. Thomas, and Augustana College.
Q. What types of credit cards does Learner's Edge accept?
Learner's Edge gladly accepts Visa, Mastercard or Discover.
Q. Please provide me with Learner's Edge Contact Information
By Mail:
Learner's Edge Inc.
10523 165th Street West
Lakeville, MN 55044
By Phone:
Twin Cities Metropolitan Area: 952.469.3454
National Toll Free: 877.394.4930
By Fax:
952.469.2790
By Email:
General Course Information
Q. How is my grade determined?
An easy-to-understand grading rubric is included in your course materials. This rubric clearly outlines the expectations for successful completion of your coursework. Based on the rubric, participants may contract for the grade they would like. Participants may contract for a grade of "A" or "B".
Q. What if I have questions while working on a course?
Supporting you is the most important thing we do and we pride ourselves in responding promptly to all questions and concerns. We welcome your calls and emails.
Q. Are there any additional fees for these courses?
There are no hidden fees. Prices include graduate credit.
Q. What about international orders?
Due to increased mailing costs, please add $20 to all international orders.
Q. How often do you offer your courses?
We offer our print-based and online courses year round. On-Site courses are offered in select areas periodically throughout the year.
Q. What are the requirements for your distance learning (print based and online) courses?
All of our print-based courses are formatted in a similar manner.
•Read the course text. Each course has its own course text(s) that contains a myriad of practical strategies and methods for the classroom teacher. Learner's Edge uses only the most popular and applicable texts in the field.
•Respond to the questions on the accompanying study guide. Each course has one study guide with roughly 12-15 questions. The questions are designed to help you synthesize what you have been learning in the course text and apply that to your classroom. These questions are not designed to be "essay questions" or "papers."
•Complete the application requirements.Course requirements are all designed to be relevant and useful to teachers in their classrooms. Each course requires that you create something applicable to your teaching situation. This typically involves creating a series of short lessons using the strategies, or designing activities to try with your students. Beneath many of the course descriptions on our web page, we have included comments from teachers who have taken that particular course. Please take a moment to read what teachers like you have to say about Learner's Edge courses! Or, feel free to call or email us for course-specific requirements.
Online courses are similar to the print-based courses in scope, content, and readings. But online courses also have multi-media clips infused throughout to enhance your learning. Assignments are submitted electronically, rather than via mail.
Regardless of the format you choose (print based vs. online), you can be assured of complete flexibility in when and where you learn.
Q. What are LEI's registration and coursework deadlines?
Learner's Edge holds three semesters/sessions per year. Choose the session that best meets your needs, and begin coursework at your convenience.
Fall Session:
•Registrations will be accepted for this session through 10/31
•Coursework is due 11/30 (or first business day after this date)
Spring Session:
•Registrations will be accepted for this session through 3/15
•Coursework is due 4/15 (or first business day after this date)
Summer Session:
•Registrations will be accepted for this session through 7/15
•Coursework is due 8/15 (or first business day after this date)
Q. What if I need to cancel a distance learning course?
If you determine that you'd like to take a different course, please contact us and we'd be happy to switch courses. If you would like to cancel your course you have 30 days from the course order date printed on your receipt to do so. A $40 cancellation fee will apply. We are unable to offer any refunds for course cancellations after 30 days.
Q. What is the difference between print-based and online courses?
Learner's Edge print-based courses have no online or video viewing requirements (with the exception of courses 648, 681). In an effort to give our customers more choice in when, where and how they learn, we have converted many of our most popular print-based courses into an online format.
Are you ready for Learner's Edge Online? Explore whether Online courses will be a comfortable fit for you. Online courses are similar to the print-based courses in scope, content, and readings. But online courses also have multi-media clips infused throughout to enhance your learning. Assignments are submitted electronically, rather than via mail.
Be assured, no matter which learning model you choose, you will find our courses to be thought provoking and flexible. When teachers choose Learner's Edge, they do so because they know they will not only get the training they need to reach their immediate goals, but an unmatched level of educational excellence, flexibility, personal support and a long-term commitment to their professional development.
Q. How many credits can I take?
Fall Session = 9 credits
Spring Session = 9 credits
Summer Session = 12 credits
Q. Can I register for a semester early, even though that semester hasn't officially started?
Yes, you may register and receive your course materials before the official start of a semester.
Q. Do Learner's Edge courses qualify for student loan deferment?
Continuing Education courses do not qualify for student loan deferment.
Q. I am having a hard time completing my coursework. Are extensions granted?
Extension requests are evaluated and granted on a case by case basis. Please contact Learner’s Edge and let us know how much time you need to complete your coursework. If you miss the session ending date by one week or less, there is no need to ask for an extension, your coursework will be processed when it arrives.
After one year from the original due date, in order to submit your coursework, a $50 reinstatement fee will be required for coursework submission. In addition, university fees may also apply. Reinstatement requires completion of any new/revised coursework requirements. Please contact Learner’s Edge to request a reinstatement and a new syllabus.
Coursework must be completed within 15 months from original due date. If coursework is not submitted within this time frame, it will turn to incomplete and grades will not be rendered without a new registration fee and any new/revised coursework requirements completed.
Q. Can I take your courses if I am not a classroom teacher?
Yes! We have many school counselors, speech therapists, school nurses, etc., that take our courses and find them beneficial and worthwhile for their profession. Please feel free to contact an instructor to discuss a specific course or for course recommendations.
Q. Can I take your courses if I am not currently in the classroom?
Absolutely. We often provide application options for teachers who are not currently in the classroom. Should you find an application option that requires student input, in most circumstances, we welcome you to draw on previous classroom experience. Or, we are always happy to work with you to insure the work you are doing is applicable to your career and still meets course requirements.
Q. Does Learner's Edge have a Collaboration Policy?
Yes. Learner's Edge Collaboration Policy is clearly documented in course syllabi. If you have questions, please contact us and we will supply a copy of the policy.
Transcript Information
Q. How do I receive a transcript?
Click here for a transcript from the University of St. Thomas.
Click here for a transcript from Colorado State University - Pueblo.
Click here for a transcript from Augustana College.
Click here for a transcript from North Dakota State University.
Q. What if I need to meet an upcoming transcript deadline, can I submit my coursework early?
Coursework may be submitted before the end of the session. Please keep in mind that we are able to begin processing coursework on the following dates each semester.
Spring Session: January 2nd (or first business day after this date)
Summer Session: May 15th (or first business day after this date)
Fall Session: September 15th (or first business day after this date)
Q. What should I do if I receive a letter about incomplete coursework for my St. Thomas course?
If you've received a letter regarding your St. Thomas course and are choosing Option 2 of said letter, please click on the
following link, download the form and fax or mail to Learner's Edge Inc.
Lane Change/License Renewal
Q. Will these courses count toward a lane change and/or license renewal?
Learner's Edge Inc. courses offer graduate level credit (posted in semester hours) from our partner colleges/universities. All partner colleges/universities are regionally accredited, with long-established traditions of quality teacher continuing education programs. If graduate credit is not needed, you may choose to earn clock hours. These courses are designed to fulfill requirements for license renewal and salary advancement when the student has obtained proper prior approval as necessary.
Q. What if I want to use Learner's Edge courses to help fulfill Pennsylvania's Act 48 requirements?
If you are planning to use one or more of our courses to satisfy Pennsylvania Act 48 requirements please note the following: All credits and hours must be related to an educator’s certificate type or area of assignment, unless enrolled in an administrative program or approved by the school board.
· Collegiate credits earned outside of Pennsylvania must be submitted on an official college-sealed transcript to:
PDE Act 48 Transcripts
333 Market Street
8th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126
If you have specific questions regarding Act 48 please contact the Pennsylvania Department of Education at www.education.state.pa.us or 717-772-4944.
Q. Will your courses work for teachers in Wisconsin?
Yes. DPI approval is no longer required for courses taken through accredited out-of-state institutions. On-site, online, independent study and correspondence courses are acceptable as long as they are related to your licensure area or professional competence. If you would like more information on this, please visit www.dpi.state.wi.us/tepdl/tm-license.html If you are considering taking a course through Learner's Edge and one of our accredited academic partners, we always recommend that you follow any school/district pre-approval policies that may be in place.
Q. What if I don’t need graduate credit? Does Learner’s Edge offer clock hours, units or points?
Absolutely. Learner’s Edge offers 20, 40 or 60 clock hour options for the majority of our Print-Based Learning and On-Site courses.
Learner's Edge Online Courses provide a 60 clock hour option. This cost-effective method allows you to receive a certificate of completion upon finishing of course work.
Q. When should I have my coursework completed if I need to renew my Teaching License by June 30th?
We strongly encourage you to register for Learner's Edge Spring session (registration ends: March 15th / coursework due: April 15th). Submitting coursework by the end of the Spring session allows us time to evaluate your coursework and submit grades to our academic partners (if necessary). It will also allow enough time for you to receive the necessary documentation required to renew your teaching license.
