Frequently Asked Questions-Updated 9/17/2008
For questions or to request application materials,
visit our website: http://www.uvm.edu/~cdci/ebd
or contact Jesse Suter (jesse.suter@uvm.edu)
- What is the BEST Graduate Concentration for Teaching Students with Emotional and Behavioral Challenges?
The BEST Graduate Concentration (formerly known as the Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities
concentration) includes a 9-credit core certificate program (plus opportunities for advanced
coursework and practicum) designed to provide advanced training in collaboration, assessment, prevention, and intervention of emotional and behavioral challenges for special educators and other
professionals interested in meeting the needs of students in schools. The concentration can be
combined with other coursework from the University of Vermont or Vermont State Colleges to
earn a Masters degree or Certificate of Advanced Study.
- What is the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative?
The Higher Education Collaborative is a partnership between the Department of Education, higher
education, and local public schools. The goal of this partnership is to make available the excellent graduate level special education teacher training opportunities that currently exist on the campuses
of the university and colleges, to people who have limited geographic access to those campuses.
- Who are the faculty in the BEST concentration?
Jesse Suter is the coordinator of the BEST concentration and faculty member at UVM. He also provides advising and instruction for EDSP 305: Interagency Collaboration and Resource Development and EDSP 306: Issues and Approaches of Assessment.
Ken Kramberg is a member of the BEST Team and is one of a few internationally recognized Master Trainers in LSCI. Ken has thirty years of experience as a teacher and director of programs for children with challenging behaviors. Through the BEST Graduate Concentration Ken has co-taught EDSP 307: Prevention and Teaching Strategies for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Challenges. Ken has also co-taught EDSP 312: Meeting the Needs of Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities for the Initial Special Educator Licensing Program through VT-HEC.
Ruth Hamilton is the co-coordinator of BEST, a licensed clinical psychologist and part of the graduate faculty at the University of Vermont. She is a certified Olweus Bullying Prevention trainer
and provides training, technical assistance and support to schools across Vermont. Ruth was the coordinator of the BEST Graduate Concentration for many years, providing both instruction and advising to many cohorts of students.
Richard Boltax is an education consultant with the Vermont Department of Education and the co-coordinator of the BEST Initiative. Richard's expertise includes helping schools to develop school-wide discipline plans. Richard has co-taught EDSP 312: Meeting the Needs of Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities for the Initial Special Educator Licensing Program through VT-HEC.
Sherry Schoenberg has 25 years of experience working in children's mental health as a direct service provider, state level program administrator, and consultant. She provides training in CPI, poverty, and the Act 264 DOE/AHS Interagency Agreement.
- What is a “cohort”?
A “cohort” is a learning community of 10-15 graduate students who join the program at the same time. These students (a) participate in the core courses together and (b) assist each other throughout their time of study.
- Who is eligible to participate?
The courses and certificate are open to classroom teachers, special educators, school administrators, and other professionals and community members. To register for courses, participants must be eligible to take graduate-level courses at UVM. The majority of participants enrolled in the program are school professionals, and the curriculum emphasizes school-based practices.
- Do I have to already have a Vermont teaching license to participate?
No, but it is important to know that while this certificate program may be combined with other degree programs, it does NOT assist participants in obtaining any license or endorsement.
- If I have a bachelors degree in another area, but do not have a general education teaching license, can I participate in this program?
You can, but remember that this program will not help you earn a license in education or special education. The purpose of this program is to provide advanced training to professionals already working with students in schools and other environments. If your goal is to work in schools, we recommend you determine what your professional goals are, then complete an initial licensing program before taking this certificate program.
- What is the typical course schedule?
Typically participants take one course per semester, and the core course sequence can be completed in three semesters. Some participants may be taking other coursework, and / or may decide
to take a course in our concentration outside of the regular course sequence. Such decisions
should be made working with an academic advisor when planning your program of outline. Currently, we are offering courses on weekends to meet the needs of full-time educators and those
traveling far distances.
- Can the practicum experiences be related to my daily work in the schools?
Yes, in fact that is exactly where they should occur (see FAQ #5). Practicum experiences in this
concentration are integrated into the course sequence. For example, you will conduct a Functional
Behavioral Assessment with a student at your school as part of the assessment class. Practicum experiences will emphasize applied projects in assessment, individualized instruction and plans, small
group & classroom interventions, whole-school interventions, family and community, and special
education law.
- Do I have to enroll in the entire concentration? Can’t I take one or a couple of
the courses by themselves?
Provided that there is space available in the course you are interested in, you may take an individual
course with instructor permission.
- How are host sites chosen?
Currently we are inviting schools, regions, or school districts to sign up to be a host site for the
BEST graduate concentration. We are looking for sites that have groups of at least 8 educators who are interested in the graduate course sequence and who want to work together as a team. Teams
participate in the full graduate concentration, but practicum activities would be team-based emphasizing the development of new strategies or systems for prevention, teaching, and response to students with challenging behaviors in their school, region, or district. Teams receive follow-up technical
assistance to assist with the implementation of their plans. Host sites must also provide a location
for courses to be taught.
- How am I advised in this program?
Once you are accepted into the program you will be assigned an advisor who will work with you to
develop your program outline. Your program outline is your “roadmap” describing what courses you
plan to take at what semesters. Any changes to your outline should be reviewed with your advisor.
In addition, you receive advising for your practicum activities from your practicum instructor.
- What is the cost of this program?
*Costs are for Fall 2008 * Spring 2009.
Tuition
For courses offered through the BEST Graduate Concentration, students pay the course fee established by the VTHEC. The tuition is currently $825 per course.
Comprehensive Fees
In addition to tuition, all students will be charged a corresponding comprehensive fee that entitles you to use the UVM Library (on-campus & on-line) as well as other University resources and facilities. The fees are based on the number of credits enrolled per semester.
In the Fall & Spring semesters
Students pay a Comprehensive Fee each semester according to the following schedule: 1 credit - $10, 2 credits - $20, 3 credits - $30, 4 credits - $40, 5 credits - $350, 6 credits - $390, 7 credits - $440, 8 credits - $488, 9-11 credits - $534. Please note that taking more than 4 credits leads to a significant jump in the comprehensive fee.
In the Summer semesters
The fee for 1-12 credits is $10 per credit (e.g., 4 credits x $10 each = $40 comprehensive fee). More information can be found at Student Financial Services: http://www.uvm.edu/sfs .
Therefore a single course for Fall 2008 costs $855.00 ($825 tuition + $30 comprehensive fees) if no other credits are being taken at UVM during the same semester.
Additional Fees
Any required books, materials, or other course fees are additional and the responsibility of the student.
- Is financial aid available?
Financial aid is not available from the BEST Graduate Concentration. Participants are encouraged to access available financial support from their local school districts or from Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, http://www.vsac.org or 1-800-798-8722.
Last modified September 17 2008 03:01 PM
