Graduate Credit & Degree Advancements (GCDA) Guidelines

Before a salary advancement can be approved, all courses and programs must be reviewed and approved by the GCDA Pre-Approval Committee.

Submit your GCDA Coursework Pre-Approval Form along with the required documentation via email to:

Forms Deadline Due by Noon on: *	Committee Review Start Dates: **
Friday, August 30, 2024	Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Friday, September 27, 2024	Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Friday, November 1, 2024	Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Friday, November 29, 2024	Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Friday, January 3, 2025 Deadline to ensure your coursework pre-approval review is completed before the Human Resource February 1 deadline for the salary advancement process.	Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Friday, January 31, 2025	Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Friday, February 28, 2025	Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Friday, April 4, 2025	Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Friday, May 2, 2025 Deadline to ensure your coursework pre-approval review is completed before the Human Resource September 1 deadline for the salary advancement process.	Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Friday, August 29, 2025 No reviews are held over the summer. This is the first deadline for the 2025-26 school year to submit your coursework pre-approval.	Wednesday, September 3, 2025

*Submit GCDA Pre-Approval Forms with the required documentation to StaffDev.sfsd@k12.sd.us before Noon on the "Forms Deadline" date.
**Reviews typically take one to two weeks. Once completed, you will receive an email with the committee’s decision.

Please note:

"Pre-approval" does not grant permission to take the course. It only confirms that the course is eligible for salary advancement.

GCDA Guidelines

Approval Process

The Approval Process outlines the required steps for certified employees to receive a salary advancement. It does not refer to the GCDA Committee’s review of courses or master’s programs.

The GCDA process consists of two separate steps, managed by different departments. These steps must be completed in order:

GCDA Committee Review (Staff Development) – Staff Development oversees the review of courses and master’s programs. Employees must submit a GCDA Coursework Pre-Approval Form for evaluation.
Salary Advancement (Human Resources) – Human Resources (HR) handles the salary advancement process. Employees must submit the Intent and Application Forms for final approval.

GCDA Coursework Pre-Approval Form

(This form is provided as a PDF to ensure clarity and consistency in submissions.)

Checklist/Reference Guide

Individual Classes

The course must be graduate-level, transcripted, and from an accredited college or university.
The course must be reviewed and approved by the GCDA Committee (through Staff Development) before salary advancement can occur.
The course may be reviewed before, during, or after completion.
If you need a class reviewed, refer to the Checklist/Reference Guide.

Degree Programs

Employees must be enrolled in a graduate-level, accredited program that leads to a degree in their major subject area or provides additional certification or endorsement.
All programs must be reviewed and approved by the GCDA Committee (through Staff Development) before salary advancement can occur.
Employees must complete all required coursework for the program. Any changes to approved courses or programs must be resubmitted for a new review.
Programs may be reviewed before, during, or after completion.
If you need a class reviewed, refer to the Checklist/Reference Guide.

Important Reminders for Employees

Missed deadlines will result in ineligibility for salary advancement.
Transcripts, certificates of completion, or class summaries are not accepted in place of the required documentation.
All documents must be scanned and sent as attachments.
- Phone photos of documents will not be accepted.
- Documents must be clear and legible for the GCDA Committee’s review.
Confirmation emails are not sent. If needed, request a read receipt through your Outlook account.

Red Apple Workshop Courses

Employees must submit a GCDA Coursework Pre-Approval Form for each Red Apple Workshop course in addition to registering for the workshop.
Upon committee approval and successful completion of the Red Apple Workshop course, it may count toward Graduate Credit/Degree Advancement requirements.
It is recommended that employees print the course description from the Red Apple Workshop website for their GCDA documentation.
Course descriptions for past Red Apple Workshop classes (from the last 10 years only) are available on the Red Apple Workshop website.

Click here for Red Apple Courses

Submission Instructions

Email the GCDA Coursework Pre-Approval Form and required documentation (as attachments) to Staff Development.

Staff Development Email

Final Notes

The Committee’s decisions are final for the contract year and are non-grievable.

2023-2028 Teacher Working Agreement, p. 16-18

GCDA Coursework Pre-Approval Form and committee review process questions, contact Velina Onate-Nelson.

Velina Onate-Nelson

✉ Email Velina.Onate-Nelson@k12.sd.us
➢ Staff Development

Salary advancement, the GCDA Intent Form, or the GCDA Application questions, contact Amira Lawrence.

Amira Lawrence

✆ (605) 367-4692
✉ Email Amira Lawrence
➢ Human Resources