Professional Institute for Educators FAQ

The Professional Institute for Educators empowers educators across disciplines to continually advance their teaching skills to improve learning for all students. Through graduate courses, certificates, and degree programs, PIE develops innovative and creative educational programming to serve the professional development needs of K-12 teachers in and through the arts.

Professional Institute for Educators Student Learning Outcomes

• Educators will enhance skills to design and develop high-quality curriculum and instruction.

• Educators will explore diverse ways to assess student learning.

• Educators will gain skills, tools, and techniques to enrich creative education through the arts.

• Educators will strengthen their role in the lives of students through the exploration of the arts and humanities to integrate cultural resources into the classroom.

Matriculated students earn an official credential (either a Master's degree or a Graduate Certificate) from UArts upon completion of the course of study. The following matriculated programs are offered through the School of Professional Studies: Master of Education in Educational Program Design (MEd), Master of Education in Educational Technology (MEd), Master of Music in Music Education (MM); Graduate Certificates in Arts and Educational Technology. These programs require an application for admission.  

Non-matriculated courses in the Professional Institute for Educators are geared toward students who are taking courses for professional development and not as part of a course of study leading to a graduate degree or certificate. These courses are still graduate credit-bearing. Non-matriculated students may enroll in some of the same course options available to matriculated students. Corresponding non-matriculated course sections are designated with an “NM” following the course code. Those who wish to later transfer credits into one of our MEd programs may transfer up to six credits.

Registration for non-matriculated students is accepted until a course reaches capacity, or until one week before the first day of class, whichever comes first. We recommend registering early to ensure that you receive all the information regarding the class ahead of time.

PIE students can register and pay online through Instant Enrollment.

View Professional Studies Policies

PIE courses are taught by expert educators, artists, and creative professionals who enjoy the opportunity to share their expertise and collaborate with our students. Learn more about our faculty by visiting the course pages.

No, financial assistance is not available for PIE & SMS classes or graduate programs. 

Financial assistance is not available for PIE courses, though we offer discounts. Learn more about discounts.

Your instructor will go over synchronous and in-person attendance policies and expectations on the first day of class. Please discuss any absences and necessary makeup work with your instructor. The online nature of our courses allows for the flexibility educators need to match their schedules.

Your grades and unofficial transcript can be accessed in Self Service. Grades are typically available one week following the completion of your course / your submission of any final projects. Your instructor will go over grading policies and expectations on the first day of class. You will also have the opportunity to provide feedback to PIE & SMS about your experience via an exit survey at the end of the course. View more about PIE Grading in Policies.

You can also access an unofficial transcript in Self Service (Self Service > Academic > Student Planning).

UArts Portal First-Time Login Instructions

Requests for official transcripts (both paper & digital) are processed by the Registrar's Office via an online form.  Please note, there is a fee to process this request.  

Request transcript

If you have additional questions regarding your student records, please contact the Registrar's office at registrar@uarts.edu.  Please note: it is best to use your @uarts.edu email address when communicating about your student record.

Access the UArts Portal to view grades, registration statement, unofficial transcript, and more.

You can use your UArts credentials to log in to your @uarts.edu email account via Gmail.  

First-time log in instructions

Trouble logging in? Contact the Help Desk: (215)717-6677 or helpdesk@uarts.edu

The School of Professional Studies posts Act 48 to the state after final grades have been submitted, in batch uploads that typically occur during the last week of each month.

Learn more about Act 48 & Teacher Professional Development

Download Act 48 Request Form

Yes, six "NM" credits can be transferred into either of the MEd programs (PIE), or the MM program (SMS). Three "NM" credits can be applied to Graduate Certificate programs.