Salary increments, also known as Plus Credits, for Delaware educators are governed by Delaware Code. The specifics of this regulation are detailed in 14 DE Admin. Code 728 Graduate Level Salary Increments.

The following sections provide an overview of the salary increment regulation and process:

• Eligibility Requirements
• For those Employed as Specialists
• Documentation Requirements
• Salary Increment Application Process Steps
• Graduate Salary Increment Regulations

The Department of Education will stop processing for salary increments on June 1 of the school year. Any applications submitted after that date will be effective as of July 1 of the following school year.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a salary increment, the educator must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree which has been submitted through an official transcript in DEEDS.
• Only grades of A, B, Satisfactory or Passing are acceptable.
• Eligibility for salary increments is dependent on current educational status as follows:
  • If requesting a Bachelor’s Plus, the educator must be enrolled in a Master’s program.
  • If requesting a Master’s Level, the educator’s Master degree must relate to the position in which the applicant is employed or instructing.
  • If requesting a Master’s Plus, the educator must be enrolled in graduate level coursework.
  • If requesting a Doctorate, the educator’s Doctorate degree must relate to the position in which they are employed or instructing.
  • Not all first-professional degrees qualify for a salary increment. Refer to the First-Professional Degrees document located on the US Department of Education Structure of U.S. Education site for a list of non-qualifying degrees.
• Credits must be earned through a graduate level course of study clearly related to the educator’s professional responsibilities.

Educators may be eligible for graduate salary increments when adding certification for Elementary School Counselor, Secondary School Counselor, or School Principal and Assistant School Principal. Please discuss this option with your HR Department.

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For those Employed as Specialists

If your title includes the word “Specialist,” you may not be eligible for a graduate salary increment.

“Specialists” that are covered under 14 Del C. § 1321 and are entitled to a graduate salary increment are physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and school psychologists. Graduate salary increments will only be processed for these Specialist positions.

14 Del C. § 1321 (10) Specialist — Related services positions which include physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, school psychologists or other related services specialists as identified in department regulation.

Therefore, graduate salary increments will be processed for only the following Specialists:

• Occupational Therapists
• Speech Language Pathologists
• Physical Therapists
• School Psychologists.

Specialists must register in DEEDS. Specifics regarding the need for a DDOE license follows:

• Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, and Physical Therapists, do not need to obtain a DDOE license or pay the $100 license fee.
• School Psychologists need to obtain a DDOE license and must pay the $100 license fee.

Specialists who are licensed by the Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) and request graduate salary increments must submit a copy of their current State License[1] as administered by the DPR. Each field is governed by an individual board that issues licenses, as follows:

• Occupational Therapist: The Delaware Board of Occupational Therapy Practice’s statutory authority is in 24 Del. C., Chapter 20.
• Physical Therapists: The Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers’ statutory authority is in 24 Del. C., Chapter 26.
• Speech Language Pathologists: Delaware Board of Speech Pathologists, Audiologists, and Hearing Aid Dispensers’ statutory authority is in 24 Del. C., Chapter 37.
• School Psychologists, should follow the appropriate regulation as set forth by the Professional Standards Board (PSB) to meet licensure. School Psychologist licensure and certification are governed by 1583 School Psychologist.

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Documentation Requirements

In choosing courses, please make sure they are in the field of education geared towards your current position or in the area of your advancement. The Department of Education Certification Department does not endorse or advise the educator in choosing courses or degree areas.

The following items are required:

• All official transcripts must be uploaded to your DEEDS account.
  • Transcripts must come from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Courses listed cannot have been previously used for other plus applications; courses may only be used once.
  • Credits must be earned through a graduate level course of study and clearly related to the educator’s professional responsibilities
  • Final course dates must be accurate on the application if applying for a +15, +30 or +45.
  • The conferral date must be printed on the transcript submitted for a Master’s or Doctoral level salary increment.
• Documentation requirements for salary increments are dependent on current educational status as follows:
  • If requesting a Bachelor’s Plus, the Master’s program must be listed on the transcript.
  • If requesting a Master’s Plus, the Master’s degree and graduate coursework must be on file.
  • If requesting a Master’s, the Master’s degree must relate to the position the applicant is currently instructing.
  • If requesting a Doctorate, the Doctorate degree must relate to the position the applicant is currently instructing.
• All transcripts must be official, meaning that they must be sent directly from the college or university to the school district or charter school Human Resource Department or they must be forwarded in an unopened envelope by the educator.

If you are seeking distance education for graduate coursework from an online school, please make sure they are part of SARA.

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Salary Increment Application Process Steps

1. Access your DEEDS account via EdAccess login page.
2. Select K-12 and then in the drop-down menu, click on “Graduate Salary Increment”.
3. Have your district or charter school review your completed application for approval.
4. Once the application for a graduate-level salary increment is approved by the district or charter school Human Resource Department, the application will go in queue to be reviewed by the Delaware Department of Education Licensure and Certification Department.
   • If the application is approved by the Department of Education, the educator and the district or charter school Human Resource Department will be notified by email.
   • If the application is denied by the Department of Education, the educator and the district or charter school Human Resource Department will be notified by email.
   • The educator may apply again in the future once he or she has met all requirements detailed in 14 DE Admin. Code 728 Graduate Level Salary Increments.

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Graduate Salary Increment Regulations

The following regulations, promulgated by the Delaware Department of Education, govern the requirements for the specific certification. It is recommended that candidates become familiar with the regulations that are specific to their employment.

727 Credit for Experience for Educators and for Secretarial Staff

728 Graduate Level Salary Increments

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Delaware Department of Education
Licensure and Certification
Collette Education Resource Center
35 Commerce Way, Suite 1
Dover, DE 19904

Feel free to contact us:
M-F 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
302-857-3388
Contact Us – Delaware Department of Education