Vermont Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs

For teacher candidates in Vermont who have earned a bachelor’s degree but have not graduated from a state-approved teacher preparation program, there are options for alternative teacher certification. Alternative teacher preparation programs, or non-traditional programs, are designed for those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Continue reading to learn more about these pathways in Vermont, or if you don’t already have a bachelor’s degree, see our guide to traditional certification in Vermont.

Table of Contents

• Vermont Alternative Certification Requirements
• Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
• Testing Requirements
• Licenses From Another State
• Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
• Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
• Additional Resources

Requirements for Alternative Certification

Those interested in pursuing alternative teacher certification in Vermont must have at least a bachelor’s degree with a major in either the liberal arts and sciences or in an endorsable content area. In most cases, candidates will also need to pass the Praxis Core and the Praxis Subject Test for their endorsement area. Certain routes also require candidates to complete a teacher preparation program, which can be completed in as little as one year as a graduate certificate. Prospective teachers may also complete teacher preparation as part of a master’s degree in teaching, education, or an academic subject that includes an approved certification program.

Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Vermont

Vermont offers two alternative routes to teacher certification for prospective educators who have not completed a traditional educator preparation program. Refer to the Vermont Agency of Education (VAE) for more detailed information on these pathways.

Apprenticeship License for Career Technical Educators

Candidates who wish to teach a career and technical education (CTE) subject may wish to pursue an Apprenticeship License, a three-year temporary license issued to unlicensed teachers. CTE teachers must have an associate’s degree or its equivalent as well as work experience in the subject to be taught. Candidates for this license must take the Praxis Core Tests and the Praxis Subject Test if an exam is available for the subject to be taught. Before applying for an Apprenticeship License, candidates must secure a job offer from a Vermont CTE Center and create a Professional Learning Plan or Apprenticeship Plan outlining how they will fulfill teacher preparation program requirements. Note that the application must be submitted by the employing CTE Center. The Apprenticeship License allows holders to teach full-time while completing coursework. Once the teacher preparation and professional development requirements have been met, candidates can be recommended for a Vermont Level I Teaching License.

Peer Review Alternative Route to Licensure

Vermont is one of few states that offers teacher licensure by an evaluation of credentials. To qualify for this pathway, candidates must first apply to the Peer Review Program by providing official transcripts, Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests and Praxis Subject Test scores, and a current resume. There are many requirements for participation in the Peer Review process, but the main requirement is the development of a teaching portfolio that demonstrates the candidate meets Vermont’s standards for educators. Before submitting a portfolio, candidates must attend a two-hour Peer Review Clinic, a presentation detailing the portfolio and Peer Review Process. A peer review panel evaluates the applicant’s portfolio and interviews the applicant. If the panel determines that the candidate meets the general requirements and basic principles for initial licensure, it will recommend to the state that the candidate be granted a teaching license.

Testing Requirements for Vermont Alternative Certification

All teachers in Vermont must pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test and the Praxis Subject Tests for their endorsement areas. The Praxis Core is a basic skills exam that assesses knowledge in reading, writing, and mathematics. The Praxis Subject Exams are specific to the content area for which a candidate is seeking endorsement.

Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State

Out-of-state candidates may become certified under reciprocity in Vermont if they have completed a state-approved teacher preparation program or a program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) in another state, holds a current professional teaching license in another state, and has taught for at least three years. For more information, see our guide to interstate reciprocity or visit the VAE website.

Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Vermont

To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the VAE for the preparation of teachers.

• — indicates none or not applicable.
• N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
• *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.

Fastest Alternative Certification Programs

The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Vermont based on the shortest possible time to completion. Shorter alternative certification programs are often more affordable since they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.

1. Saint Michael’s College (12 months)
2. University of Vermont (12 months)

Additional Resources

• VAE Approved Teacher Preparation Programs: Directory of programs approved for teacher preparation in Vermont.
• VAE Peer Review Alternate Route to Licensure: Provides guidelines and requirements for the peer review route to licensure.
• VAE Temporary, Provisional, and Apprenticeship Licenses in Vermont: Provides guidelines and requirements for alternative route candidates.

Related Articles

• Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
• Vermont Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
• Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide

References:
1. Vermont Agency of Education: https://education.vermont.gov/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/