Frequently Asked Questions

• When is the application deadline?
• Can credits be transferred into the program?
• How long does it take to complete the program?
• How many years do I have to complete the program?
• When are the courses offered?
• Do you offer online courses?
• What is the tuition?
• What are the major requirements of the program?
• When is the application deadline?
• How do I get an official stamp and my degree recorded on my transcript?
• What is the difference between licensure and endorsement?
• How do I contact the Special Education program?

When is the application deadline?

Applications are accepted once per year, with a deadline of March 15 for acceptance in the fall semester of the next year.  Interviews are scheduled within two weeks of the deadline, and decisions made by the end of April.

Can credits be transferred into the program?

Up to nine credits of relevant coursework may be transferred into the MEd. program with the permission of the student’s advisor and the Graduate College. Courses must be completed within five years and related to the overall goals of the Special Education Program. This includes courses taken prior to admission either at another institution, or at UVM (Continuing Ed.).  There is the possibility of transferring an extra six credits if they are taken at UVM in the immediate preceding semester to matriculation.

How long does it take to complete the program?

Most of our students attend on a part-time basis (one or two courses per semester), completing their core courses and internship within two to three years.

How many years do I have to complete the program?

Following the rules of the graduate college, the time limit to complete the MEd is five years.

When are the courses offered?

Currently, the core courses are offered on weekday evenings from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.  A limited number of courses are offered over the summer months, for one or two intensive weeks.

Do you offer online courses?

On-line courses are not offered for the MEd. program.

What is the tuition?

Tuition costs for 2011-2012 Graduate credits are $537/credit-hour for in-state students, and $1355/credit-hour for out-of-state students.  For a chart of graduate tuition and fees broken down by credit hours, please click here.

What are the major requirements of the program?

Students are required to complete 24 credit hours of core courses (or equivalents), and 12 further credit hours of internship.  A comprehensive portfolio will be completed during the internship, and the program culminates in an oral examination/presentation of the portfolio.  For a complete list of requirements please see our requirements page.

When is the application deadline?

Applications must be complete with the graduate college by March 15 to be considered for the following summer or fall.

How do I get an official stamp and my degree recorded on my transcript?

After you successfully complete your program and it has been determined by the Licensing Officer (Dr. DeMethra LaSha Bradley) in cooperation with the program coordinator that you are eligible, the Registrar's Office will stamp your transcript with the appropriate recommendation.  After the stamp is added to your transcript, you will be responsible for applying directly to the state for your license.

Your transcript is stamped after you have successfully completed your program and your grades and degree have been recorded on your transcript by the Registrar's Office. Degrees appear on the transcript after they have been approved by the Faculty Senate and the Board of Trustees three times per year; in mid October, early March, and May.  This means that if you finish your program requirements during the summer months, you will be an October graduate.  Finishing in December means you will be a March graduate, and finishing in May means you are a May graduate.

Please note that graduates who complete the requirements for program completion during the summer months cannot graduate before October  Therefore, these students likely will not be eligible to begin teaching in September without a waiver from their school.

What is the difference between licensure and endorsement?

The license means that you have successfully completed a State Department of Education approved program, applied, and were deemed eligible for authorization to teach by a specific state (e.g. VT).  The endorsement is generally listed on the license to indicate the grade level and the content area.

How do I contact the Special Education Program?

You can contact us in the Special Education offices at 454 Waterman Building, 85 South Prospect St, Burlington, VT 05405, by phoning 802-656-2936, or emailing special.education@uvm.edu.

Last modified September 09 2011 09:06 AM