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Northern Vermont University is now part of Vermont State University! Please visit VermontState.edu for accurate information.

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Northern Vermont University will join with Castleton University and Vermont Technical College to become Vermont State University on July 1, 2023.

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The Path to Recommendation for Licensure

At Northern Vermont University, students interested in teaching at the early childhood, elementary, and secondary levels apply to one of our teacher education programs. Successful completion of a teacher education program, in conjunction with prescribed degree requirements, prepares graduates to be candidates for a Vermont Initial Educator license. Earning a recommendation for licensure from NVU means that you must meet all licensure requirements at the time of the recommendation.

Our teacher education programs prepare successful graduates for recommendation for Vermont licensure in the following areas:

  • Art education (Pre-K through 12) – Johnson Campus 
  • Dance education (Pre-K through 12) – Johnson Campus 
  • Early Childhood Education (birth through pre-K) – Lyndon Campus (online)
  • Elementary education (K-6) – Johnson Campus and Lyndon Campus
  • English education (7-12) – Johnson Campus 
  • Mathematics education (7-12) – Johnson Campus 
  • Music education (pre-K through 12)  Johnson Campus
  • Social studies education (7-12) – Johnson Campus 
  • Science education (7-12) – Johnson Campus 
  • Special education (K-8) – Johnson Campus and Lyndon Campus
  • Theater arts education (Pre-K through 12) – Johnson Campus

Learn more about our teacher education programs below.

Program Details

In partnership with other academic departments at Northern Vermont University, the Education Department offers teacher endorsements at the middle and secondary levels in these areas:

  • English education
    Typical undergraduate majors: B.A. in English or B.A. in creative writing
  • Mathematics education
    Typical undergraduate major: B.A. in mathematics
  • Social studies education
    Typical undergraduate majors: B.A. in history or B.A. in political science
  • Science education
    Typical undergraduate majors: B.A. in biology, B.S. in environmental science, B.S. in health sciences

Academic Requirements

Students seeking teacher endorsement in one of these areas must apply to the Education Department for admittance to that teacher education program. See the NVU Office of Educator Licensure for entry requirements, which include a minimum GPA, minimum scores on an academic exam (such as the SAT, ACT, or PRAXIS Core) and an interview. Students accepted into a teacher education program at NVU must successfully complete three sets of academic requirements:

  • A major in the discipline of your endorsement, including all requirements for the bachelor’s degree and all general education and graduation requirements, with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher and a 3.0 GPA in the major
  • Content-specific endorsement courses
  • A prescribed set of education courses

With careful planning, these requirements can be met for most programs within a typical plan of study.

Fieldwork at Partnership Schools

The best way to learn to be a great educator is to gain practical experience under the mentorship of a practicing professional at a Northern Vermont University partnership school. Students accepted into teacher education programs pursue the following fieldwork experiences at our partnership schools:

  • Inquiry projects: Students complete 20 hours of observation and participate in teaching various courses.
  • Practicum I (introductory methods): Students teach lessons in English, language arts and mathematics.
  • Practicum II (advanced methods): Students teach integrated lessons using inclusive strategies.
  • Student teaching: Students complete a comprehensive 15-week internship (five days each week) focused on designing and instructing an integrated and inclusive unit of study.

Students are expected to complete fieldwork assignments during typical public school hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) and to arrange their own transportation to fieldwork sites.

Teacher Education Workshops

Teacher education students attend five Teacher Education Workshops (EDU-TEW1 through EDU-TEW5) throughout their program. These are one-time meetings held each semester in multiple sections. See the course sequence plans in the teacher education handbook for details. Each workshop provides guidance for completing the next set of requirements for the program. Students who do not meet the benchmark requirements may not advance in the program.

Program Details

The teacher education program in inclusive elementary education is an innovative and challenging program that prepares students to be extraordinary teachers and teacher leaders. Graduates are prepared to become candidates for a Vermont Initial Educator License with endorsements in both elementary education and special education (K-6) after just four years.

Dual endorsement is possible because the professional standards for both elementary and special education are woven throughout the curriculum, creating a comprehensive, fully integrated four-year program. Other programs address these two specialties separately and sequentially, requiring graduate study in special education to gain that endorsement.

Inclusive Education

Inclusive elementary education prepares graduates to work with all students — the general student population as well as those with special needs and students from different backgrounds and cultures, which is the face of education today.

Students start by taking coursework in the childhood education program and apply to enter the Teacher Education Program in Inclusive Elementary Education during their first semester. See NVU’s Office of Educator Licensure for entry requirements, which include a minimum GPA, minimum scores on an academic exam (such as the SAT, ACT, or PRAXIS Core), and an interview.

Students accepted into the program complete three sets of academic requirements:

  • Background study in the liberal arts and sciences — the nine components
  • Childhood education
  • A liberal arts or science concentration

Academic Requirements

  • Background study in the liberal arts and sciences: The nine components: To be prepared for the breadth of material that elementary teachers instruct, students complete coursework in composition, quantitative skills, literature, historical thinking and citizenship, artistic expression, scientific thinking, diversity studies, identity studies, and interdisciplinary studies. This coursework is typically satisfied by selecting specific courses in the undergraduate general education program. A list of recommended courses is available from faculty advisors. Contact the inclusive elementary education program director to discuss equivalencies. Graduate students should consult with the program director regarding sufficient coursework.
  • Childhood education: Students complete coursework in childhood education with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher. They also complete a set of endorsement-specific courses that satisfy both the elementary and special education requirements.
  • Liberal arts or science concentration: With the help of their advisor and the program director, students complete coursework for a second major or a 30-credit concentration in an approved liberal arts or science field of study. Options include a major in liberal arts or a major or concentration in English, math, history, biology, environmental science, health science, art, music, or theater and drama. Anthropology/sociology, political science, or psychology also may be taken.

Fieldwork at Partnership Schools

The best way to learn to be a great educator is to gain practical experience under the mentorship of a practicing professional at an NVU partnership school. Students accepted into NVU-Johnson’s teacher education programs pursue the following fieldwork experiences at our partnership schools:

  • Inquiry projects: Students complete 20 hours of observation and participate in teaching various courses.
  • Practicum I (introductory methods): Students teach lessons in English language arts and mathematics.
  • Practicum II (advanced methods): Students teach integrated lessons using inclusive strategies.
  • Student teaching: Students complete a comprehensive 15-week internship (five days each week) focused on designing and instructing an integrated and inclusive unit of study.

Students are expected to complete fieldwork assignments during typical public school hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) and to arrange their own transportation to fieldwork sites.

Teacher Education Workshops

Teacher education students attend five Teacher Education Workshops (EDU-TEW1 through EDU-TEW5) throughout their program. These are one-time meetings held each semester in multiple sections. See the course sequence plans in the teacher education handbook for details. Each workshop provides guidance for completing the next set of requirements for the program. Students who do not meet the benchmark requirements may not proceed in the program.

Program Details

In partnership with other academic departments at Northern Vermont University, the Education Department offers teacher endorsements in the unified arts in these areas:

  • Art education
    Typical undergraduate major: B.A. in art, B.F.A. in studio arts
  • Dance education
    Typical undergraduate major: B.A. in interdisciplinary studies (or any liberal arts or science major)
  • Music education
    Typical undergraduate major: B.A. in music, B.M.E. in music
  • Theater arts education
    Typical undergraduate major: B.A. in theater and Drama, B.A. in musical theater

Academic Requirements

Students seeking teacher endorsement in one of these areas must apply to the NVU Education Department for admittance to that teacher education program. See the NVU Office of Educator Licensure for entry requirements, which include a minimum GPA, minimum scores on an academic exam (such as the SAT, ACT, or PRAXIS Core), and an interview. Students accepted into a teacher education program at NVU must successfully complete three sets of academic requirements:

  • A major in the discipline of their endorsement, including all requirements for the bachelor’s degree  and all general education and graduation requirements, with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher and a 3.0 GPA in the major
  • Content-specific endorsement courses
  • A prescribed set of education courses

With careful planning, these requirements can be met for most programs within a typical four-year plan of study.

Fieldwork at Partnership Schools

The best way to learn to be a great educator is to gain practical experience under the mentorship of a practicing professional at an NVU partnership school. Students accepted into NVU’s teacher education programs pursue the following fieldwork experiences at our partnership schools:

  • Inquiry projects: Students complete 20 hours of observation and participate in teaching various courses.
  • Practicum I (introductory methods): Students teach lessons in English language arts and mathematics.
  • Practicum II (advanced methods): Students teach integrated lessons using inclusive strategies.
  • Student teaching: Students complete a comprehensive 15-week internship (five days each week) focused on designing and instructing an integrated and inclusive unit of study.

Students are expected to complete fieldwork assignments during typical public school hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) and to arrange their own transportation to fieldwork sites.

Teacher Education Workshops

Teacher education students attend five Teacher Education Workshops (EDU-TEW1 through EDU-TEW5) throughout their program. These are one-time meetings held each semester in multiple sections. See the course sequence plans in the teacher education handbook for details. Each workshop provides guidance for completing the next set of requirements for the program. Students who do not meet the benchmark requirements may not proceed in the program.

Licensure Details

The Office of Educator Licensure within NVU’s Education Department can provide guidance to students who want to pursue a career as a classroom teacher, unified arts teacher, or guidance counselor. This is also where students can get forms, information, and advice on coursework and substitutions. Help is available by appointment. Contact licensure office coordinator Rebecca Pastor by email, or call 802.635.1307.

This section contains detailed information for students interested in becoming licensed as teachers (see Teacher Education Programs section) or school guidance counselor (see M.A. in counseling).

Preparing for Licensure

  • Start planning early in your program. Work with your advisor and program director to construct a course sequence covering all requirements. Select general education courses that satisfy the liberal arts and science background requirements for the program. Contact the program director to discuss course equivalents, substitutions, or waivers.
  • Students transferring credits from other institutions (including Community College of Vermont and other Vermont State Colleges institutions) must meet with the program director for a transcript review to determine which courses may satisfy which requirements.
  • Students must apply to enter a teacher education program. Declaring a major or beginning coursework in a program of study does not mean entry into a teacher education program. Enroll in the beginning coursework, and attend EDU-TEW1/Teacher Education Workshop I to learn about the teacher education program application process.
  • Full acceptance into a program includes satisfaction of the Vermont Educator Testing Requirements. Students must submit passing scores on the Praxis I examinations, the SAT examination, the ACT examination, or the GRE examination. For complete information, see Vermont’s Examination Requirements for details.
  • Students in teacher education programs at NVU complete numerous fieldwork assignments. Students are expected to provide time in their weekly schedule to accomplish fieldwork assignments during typical public school hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) and to arrange their own transportation to fieldwork sites.
  • Advancement through a teacher education program requires attendance at five Teacher Education Workshops (EDU-TEW1 through EDU-TEW5). These are one-time meetings held each semester in multiple sections. See the Course Sequence Plans in the teacher education handbook for details. Each workshop prepares students to complete the next set of program requirements. Those who do not meet the benchmark requirements are not permitted to proceed in the program.
  • Students must earn a B- or better in all endorsement-specific courses. Students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA, a 3.0 GPA in the chosen major, and a passing grade in the Praxis II examination before applying for the teaching Internship (i.e., student teaching).
  • Students will participate in three interviews throughout the program: Entry InterviewMidway Interview, and Exit Interview. Expect each to last an hour and take place on campus.
  • Earning a recommendation for licensure from NVU requires a student to meet all requirements for licensure at the time of the recommendation. If the requirements for licensure established by the Vermont Standards Board for Professional Educators, the Vermont Agency of Education, or the U.S. Department of Education change during your enrollment in a teacher education program, you must consult with your program director about how to meet the new requirements.
A female teacher is reading a book to her young students.

“Learning by doing. The experiences I gained from working in a real classroom are more practical than words in textbooks.”

- Na Zhan '14

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