“It’s really about involving students with the community, taking students outside of the classroom. It means making curriculum authentic and relevant.” Camilla Thomassen-Tai '20
Engage with local communities and environments as a context for action-oriented teaching and learning through UVM's cross-college Place-Based Education (PBE) Undergraduate Certificate Program.
In collaboration with Shelburne Farms and other community partners, the program provides unique opportunities for students to immerse themselves in the social-ecological system they are studying, actively engaging and deepening connections to people and places in the local community and environment. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students learn to address local social, cultural, and environmental issues with learners of all ages.
Fostering a More Sustainable Future
With UVM's strong reputation as an environmental university, we routinely attract students who hold a clear interest in environmental education, outdoor education, service learning, and experiential education. Place-based education is an important approach to understanding the past while fostering a more sustainable future. Our local environment – with its natural and human histories, economic and social issues, and political and ecological dynamics – provides a robust and integrative context for teaching and learning.
Coursework
To earn the certificate, undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 12 credits. Specific courses included in the certificate are listed in the accordion dropdowns below.