State hub
How to become a teacher in Vermont
Steps drawn from the state's data
- Earn a bachelor's degree. At least one initial credential requires one.
- Complete clinical experience such as student teaching.
- Pass the tests the state requires (Title II reports that tests are required, not which ones).
- Complete a background check or fingerprinting.
- Apply to Vermont Agency of Education for an initial credential, such as Level I Professional Educator's License.
- Career changers can use one of 4 alternative routes instead of a traditional program.
Teacher preparation providers in Vermont
| Provider | Program types | Enrollment | Completers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champlain College | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 91 | 26 |
| Middlebury College | Traditional | 6 | 6 |
| Norwich University | Traditional | 1 | 1 |
| Peer Review | Alternative, not IHE-based | 284 | 160 |
| Spark Teacher Education Program | Alternative, not IHE-based | 3 | 0 |
| St. Michaels College | Traditional | 162 | 36 |
| University of Vermont | Traditional | 579 | 118 |
| Vermont Higher Education Collaborative | Alternative, not IHE-based | 65 | 40 |
| Vermont State University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 368 | 108 |
About teacher preparation in Vermont
Ensuring high quality educator preparation is a priority in Vermont. With the support of the Secretary of Education, the state legislature, the Vermont Standards Board for Professional Educators (herein VSBPE), and the State Board of Education, Vermont continues to develop initiatives to further define high standards of performance and to support educators in meeting these standards. One way of addressing this, is through the State approval process for Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs).
Vermont's EPPs are unique in terms of mission, theme, size, approach, and student body. However, there are several characteristics shared by all these programs, either as an outcome of regulatory requirements and/or research-based best practices. These are as follows:
(1) All candidates must have extended field experiences: a minimum of 13 consecutive weeks of student teaching and 60 clock hours of supervised field experiences prior to student teaching.
(2) Educator preparation programs work collaboratively with preK-12 schools to establish mutually beneficial relationships.
(3) Educator preparation programs seek to collaborate with departments and faculty to ensure beginning teachers will have deep content knowledge.
Vermont's alternative routes to licensure are also unique in their delivery models. Each program must, however, meet the same high standards as the traditional route programs. Each alternative route provides flexibility to support their unique candidates, especially educators working in schools under a temporary license or as an Educational Support Professional. Vermont values both the programs' many unique possibilities and the programs' many similarities as each engages in reflection, revision, and renewal to meet the state's and the nation's need for caring and competent teachers.
The VSBPE has the responsibility of evaluating and approving EPPs and alternate routes to licensure at the undergraduate and graduate level. This process is known as ROPA, for Results Oriented Program Approval Process. Candidates who complete any approved programs and are recommended by their ROPA-approved program are eligible for licensure in Vermont. The state does not require its institutions of higher education to be accredited by national organizations, although some may choose to do so.
For more than 25 years the ROPA process has been used to help educator preparation programs and alternative routes improve the readiness of educators for Vermont’s schools while at the same time holding programs accountable for meeting standards. All Vermont educator preparation programs and alternate routes must go through the ROPA approval process. Programs develop an institutional portfolio documenting evidence of the Five ROPA standards, which is then peer reviewed by an external review team made up of licensed PK-12 educators, AOE staff, a VSBPE member, and representatives from other Vermont EPPs. Unless otherwise specified, program approval is valid for seven years. Approved institutions seeking to add new programs must also submit a detailed application for the new program to the VSBPE.