Frequently Asked Questions
Account & Getting Started
Visit lilyPD.com and click “Create Free Account.” The process takes about sixty seconds — just an email address and a password to get started.
Yes — creating an account and accessing courses is free during the public beta.
No. Any educator can create a free account and begin exploring courses independently. If you’d like to bring lilyPD to your school or district, contact us about institutional access.
How Courses Work
A microcourse is a short, focused learning experience designed to be completed in manageable segments — so you can fit professional development into your actual schedule, not just your PD days.
Course length varies, but most microcourses are designed to be completed in five hours — and you can pause and return whenever it works for you.
All courses are developed by teachers in collaboration with William & Mary faculty researchers, museum professionals, and other experts. Courses are grounded in learning science and backed by William & Mary’s decades of leadership in civic education. Content is designed to be rigorous and immediately applicable in the classroom.
Five courses are available for free during the public beta:Artifact Analysis, Civil Discourse, History Inquiry, Nonfiction Reading Strategies, and Podcasting in the Classroom. More courses will be added soon.
Credentials & Recognition
When you complete a lilyPD course, you’ll receive a downloadable certificate worth 5 hours of professional development, accredited by William & Mary’s School of Education.
lilyPD certificates are accredited by William & Mary’s School of Education and document 5 hours of completed PD. Most schools and districts accept certificates from accredited university programs — but we recommend checking with your administrator about how they apply toward your specific PD requirements.
Yes. Certificates are downloadable and easy to share with administrators or include in your professional portfolio.
No. Once earned, your certificate is yours to keep and share.
Cost & Access
Yes. Individual accounts and course access are free during the public beta.
Yes. We’re developing institutional access options for schools and districts that want to bring lilyPD to their teams. Contact us to learn more or to be notified when those options are available.
Just a device with internet access and a free account. No software downloads or special equipment required.