Online Education Degrees: Vermont

The Vermont Agency of Education focuses on policy governance, innovation, and equity in its administration of Green Mountain State’s K-12 public education system. Furthermore, its leaders and professionals are committed to the academic success of all students in Vermont.

Today, the K-12 education system consists of 163 school districts with more than 295 schools across the state. The Agency of Education provides these school districts and schools with effective leadership, oversight, and support.

By working with local and national partners, it’s at the forefront of change in Vermont’s K-12 education system. Furthermore, the Agency of Education provides its policy expertise to the General Assembly and Vermont State Board of Education, among other organizations, on education-related matters.

Among the current focus areas are personalized and proficiency-based learning, education finance, and school governance reform. The Vermont Agency of Education, indeed, works toward a strong education system. This is in accordance with its belief that a strong education system means a strong state.

Besides the Vermont Agency of Education, the State Board of Education is another state agency responsible for the public K-12 education system. While the State Board of Education is in charge of daily operations, the State Board of Education oversees policies, including K-12 performance standards and education fund disbursements.

But like all states, Vermont is under pressure, too, from various issues. In the past 20 years, there’s been a significant decline of nearly 20,000 in student enrollment. Half of its school districts have fewer than 100 students, particularly in rural areas.

There’s also the cyclical effect of increased property taxes and reduced population. A decrease in the population results in an increase in property taxes. In turn, it further deters families with children from moving into these areas.

Vermont, nonetheless, is among the nation’s top performers in certain academic performance measures. For one thing, it’s among the top 10 in standardized test scores achievement. Vermont is also among the top performers in reading and math proficiency among elementary students.

For another thing, Vermont is also among the country’s highest education spenders. Per-student spending is $21,219 per year – the fourth highest in the nation. The median spending in the top 10 states is $15,098 per student.

Indeed, Vermont’s K-12 public education is on the up and up. If you decide to become part of it as a licensed teacher, you’re in the right direction. Here’s what you should know to start on the right foot.

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Requirements for Teaching Licensure in Vermont

The Agency of Education is also responsible for the teaching licensure process and requirements in Vermont. The state agency in charge of the governing rules and regulations, however, is the Vermont Standards Board for Professional Educators (VSBPE).

Note that teachers in Vermont must have a state-issued teaching license to be practicing educators. The teaching license itself has two parts that are directly related. There’s no license without an endorsement, and there’s no endorsement without a license.

The license itself is proof that you’re a professional teacher who possesses the required competencies. The endorsement is an area of specialization that you’re authorized to teach in. Examples of endorsements are middle school Science, Social Studies, English or Math, Special Education, and Elementary Education.

Aspiring teachers can choose from several teaching licensure pathways:

Traditional
Reciprocity or out-of-state
Transcript review
Peer review
Temporary

In the following section, we’ll focus on the traditional pathway toward an initial teaching license.

Meet the education requirements.

Aspiring teachers must possess at least a bachelor’s in education from a state-approved teacher preparation program. You must earn at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on your bachelor’s degree. Specialized areas include elementary education, special education, middle grades education, math education, science education, and English education.

But if you already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field, you can earn a master’s degree in education. For both bachelor’s and master’s degree holders, a recommendation for licensure issued by their universities is a must for licensure.

Yet another alternative pathway is through peer review. In this case, an aspiring teacher must have at least a bachelor’s degree, pass the Praxis Core and Praxis II exams, and submit their official transcripts for review. While you don’t have to complete an approved teacher preparation program, you must demonstrate relevant teaching experience. Then, you must take part in an online peer review clinic where a panel of certified educators will determine your suitability for a teaching license.

Complete the student teaching experience requirement.

Aspiring teachers must complete 13 consecutive weeks as student teachers. The student teaching requirement must be under the supervision of licensed teachers, known as mentors, and in classroom settings.

Mentors and faculty supervisors evaluate each student-teacher’s performance. At the end of your student teaching experience, you must earn at least a “B” grade to qualify for licensure.

Earn passing scores on standardized teaching licensure exams.

Aspiring teachers must earn passing scores on these two certification exams:

Praxis Core OR an alternative test, such as Praxis I, SAT, ACT, or GRE
Praxis II subject-based exam

Receive a recommendation for a license.

Every aspiring teacher must receive an official recommendation for a teaching license from the university where they completed a state-approved teacher preparation program. Besides the abovementioned eligibility requirements, you may also be required to earn a passing score on your professional portfolio.

Apply for an initial teaching license.

Be sure to fill out the initial registration form with your basic information first before submitting your license application. The registration form is available at the Vermont Online Licensing System of Educators (ALiS).

Note that all licensing applications must be completed online. Applicants must have also passed the criminal background check including fingerprinting. A complete application includes the following:

Official transcripts, which must state a recommendation for licensure and the date of completion of an approved teacher preparation program
Payment of fees

The fees vary depending on your preferred license type. There’s a $50 non-refundable processing application fee for an initial license and a $13.25 non-refundable fingerprinting processing fee. After you’ve been considered eligible, you must pay the $150 three-year license fee.

Vermont has two types of teacher licenses.

The Level I license is a three-year license for new teachers. While you can move up to the Level II license, you can also renew a Level I license.
The Level II license must be renewed every seven years. Its initial eligibility requirements include completion of at least 45 hours of professional learning, which must include 15 hours of endorsement-specific learning. The renewal requirements include at least 135 hours of professional learning.

Suffice it to say that Vermont keeps its teacher licensure system simple.

Online Education Program Admission Requirements

The typical admission requirements among online bachelor’s degree programs are:

Completed online application form
Application fee payment
High school diploma or GED equivalent OR an associate degree for degree completion programs
Official transcripts

These are the typical admission requirements for online graduate programs:

Bachelor’s or master’s degree
Official transcripts
Professional resume or CV
Statement of purpose or personal statement
Letters of recommendation or reference
Standardized test scores, if required

Check if there are requirements for a valid teaching license and relevant work experience, too.

Average Annual Salaries For Common Educator Roles in Vermont

Elementary School Teachers $64,380
Middle School Teachers $64,990
High School Teachers $65,200
Special Education Teachers $62,169
Superintendents $176,087
School Administrators $117,717
Principals $116,865
Assistant Principals $95,954
Curriculum Development Specialists $112,949
Instructional Coordinators $74,745

Scholarships for Future Educators in Vermont

The Vermont Teacher Forgivable Loan Program grants an interest-free loan that covers full tuition and other expenses. Recipients must meet their service obligations.
The National Science Foundation or NSF Robert Noyce Scholarship Program awards up to $20,000 per academic year for every qualified in-state student.
The TEACH Early Childhood Vermont Scholarship Program provides qualified students with financial awards to cover tuition and books, as well as a stipend and a financial bonus.

The 3 Best Online Education Degree Providers in Vermont

We selected these universities based on the following factors:

Have regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
With state approval for their online teacher preparation programs
Emphasize academic excellence and rigor
Provide satisfactory student support services

Of the universities offering state-approved teacher preparation programs, only Vermont State offered an extensive range of online education programs. Saint Michael’s College and Norwich University offered online certificate programs for licensed teachers seeking professional advancement.

Vermont State University

Freedom and unity – this is Vermont State’s motto highlighted in every academic program. The public university encourages academic freedom while also motivating its community to be united in its goals. Indeed, it’s a unity exemplified when three universities – Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College – merged to form Vermont State University.

Aspiring and current teachers will find undergraduate and graduate programs. Most of these programs also comply with the educational requirements for teacher licensure in Vermont.

BS in Early Childhood Education

This is a bachelor’s degree completion program for candidates with an Associate in Arts in Early Childhood Education from one of Vermont’s community colleges. Candidates can complete the program in five semesters and receive a recommendation for an initial teaching license (from birth to age 5). TEACH federal grants are available.

MA in Educational Leadership

The 36-credit hybrid program requires the completion of online courses and an in-person, two-year fieldwork project. Candidates prepare for success in the Principalship Endorsement.

MA in Foundations of Education

Candidates can transfer up to 12 master’s degree credits into the online program. This is intended for PreK-12 and post-secondary educators interested in critical scholar-practitioner inquiry. Candidates can customize their degree through concentrations or add their desired endorsements.

MEd in Learning, Design, and Technology

Teachers, curriculum specialists, and librarians are welcome to apply to the master’s degree program. Candidates learn the competencies to integrate design thinking, digital technology, and STEAM approaches in their teaching. Completion of online courses and in-person immersion projects are required.

MA in Middle-Level English Education

Candidates must have a strong background in English language arts. The program combines online courses and in-person teaching experiences. Candidates gain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to become effective teachers in middle-level English subjects.

MA in Middle-Level Math Education

Applicants to the program must have either a formal STEM background or a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts to be considered. The program features an interdisciplinary curriculum blending online courses and in-person practicum experiences. Graduates either obtain an initial license recommendation or an additional endorsement.

MA in Middle-Level Social Studies Education

Candidates include licensed teachers seeking an additional endorsement or individuals who want to earn a recommendation for an initial license. In the case of career changers, the practicum experiences prepare them for the challenges of teaching at the middle level.

MA in Secondary English Education

The program emphasizes effective teaching of media, literature, and writing for high school students.

MA in Secondary Math Education

Candidates gain the competencies that will aid them in shaping high school students to become proficient in math. The coursework combines mathematics-related and adolescent development courses.

MA in Secondary Science Education

Earning the master’s degree means a recommendation for an initial license with a science endorsement. Candidates develop the competencies to teach high school students about the natural world.

MA in Secondary Social Studies Education

Candidates learn more advanced teaching competencies through didactic coursework and hands-on learning opportunities in classroom settings. This program provides candidates who complete its academic requirements with an initial license recommendation with a social studies endorsement.

MA in Special Education offers three pathways toward becoming a special education teacher:
- An online option for licensed teachers who want to add the special education endorsement (online courses)
- A hybrid option also for licensed teachers seeking the special education endorsement (i.e., online and in-person courses)
- An initial licensure option for non-teachers

In-person practicum experiences are required for all options.

MA in Theater Arts Education

This is intended for practicing teachers and career changers with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts or a formal background in theater arts. Candidates prepare for success as leaders of theater arts and drama education in their schools.

MA in Music Education

Candidates learn the competencies to guide their students in music across every phase of development. Online courses and in-person practicum experiences are required.

MA in Art Education

The program prepares non-teachers for initial licensure as art teachers and teachers for additional endorsement in art education. Flexible schedules and part-time enrollment make it a popular program.

MA in Dance Education

Applicants can either be licensed teachers who want to earn an additional endorsement or career changers seeking an initial license.

In-state Tuition: $12,804
Online Education Degrees: 16
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Saint Michael’s College

St. Mikes, a private Catholic college, ensures personalized learning through small class sizes and hands-on learning experiences. There are also several honors societies, such as the Kappa Delta Pi for Education and the Delta Epsilon Sigma. Indeed, St. Mikes is a testament that small colleges can achieve big things.

While St. Mikes doesn’t offer online bachelor’s and master’s in education degree programs, it offers many excellent certificate graduate programs.

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) – Candidates in the CAGS program must work with their respective academic advisors to create a personalized program of study. The post-master’s certificate program features a 30-credit curriculum. Candidates choose from five specializations:
Special Education – Candidates are usually licensed special education teachers with a master’s degree who want professional learning credits. Many candidates are individuals with a master’s degree-seeking an initial license or additional endorsements, too.
Arts – If you’re a current art teacher with a master’s degree, you can pursue the arts specialization to become a better teacher. St. Mikes maintains partnerships with arts organizations to provide candidates with experiential learning opportunities.
Curriculum – The curriculum specialization enables candidates to develop advanced competencies in curriculum-specific areas. These include philosophy, orientation, design and development, and implementation.
Literacy – Candidates in the literacy specialization become better teachers of reading and language arts.
School Leadership – The school leadership specialization allows candidates to secure an endorsement for leadership positions. These include the Director of Special Education, Director of Curriculum, or School Principal.
Graduate Certificate in TESOL – If you don’t want to pursue a master’s degree in TESOL, you can gain the core skills through a graduate certificate instead. This is a 24-credit program.

In-state Tuition: $48,950
Online Education Certificates: 2
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Norwich University

Known formally as Norwich University – The Military College of Vermont, it offers an online Teaching and Learning Certificate program. This is a 12-credit program for practicing professionals with subject matter expertise who want to teach at the post-secondary level or in corporate environments.

Candidates complete two six-credit courses with each course lasting 11 weeks. You will create your philosophy of teaching and learning. Program outcomes also include a presentation of your learning experience and a course syllabus contained in a portfolio.

In-state Tuition: $50,600
Online Education Certificate: 1
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