Type of Degree

Certificate of Graduate Study

School or College

College of Education and Social Services
Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources

Area of Study

Education and community
Environment and sustainability

Program Format

Hybrid, Full-time, Part-time

Accelerate transformative societal response to the interconnected environmental, social, and economic challenges of our time.

Program Overview

In partnership with the Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools, we are excited to offer two Certificates of Graduate Study in Education for Sustainability (EFS). 

Coursework is designed for practicing preK-12, post-secondary, and informal educators as well as those working in museum education, outdoor education, parks and recreation activities, and other fields where natural and built environments are part of the curriculum.

Grounded in action research, transformative education, and youth leadership, the program prepares educators to empower learners in making positive changes in their communities to improve the quality of life for current and for future generations. 

EFS students at Shelburne Farms in the summertime.

Along with asynchronous and synchronous sessions online, coursework includes on-site experiential learning gatherings at Shelburne Farms, an education nonprofit and 1,400-acre working farm in Vermont.

EFS Graduate Certificate Pathways

Educators can choose to enroll in coursework leading to the 12-credit Micro Certificate of Graduate Study (mCGS-EFS) or the 18-credit Certificate of Graduate Student (CGS-EFS). Both pathways combine UVM’s commitment of high-quality teacher education with Shelburne Farms’ international reputation for EFS professional development for teachers. 

View coursework for each pathway on the Curriculum of this webpage.

Optionally, EFS coursework can be applied toward our Advanced Specialties in Educational Practice M.Ed. 


Aziza Malik and teaching colleagues at Champlain Elementary School

Vermont Teacher of the Year Teacher Aziza Malik (right) is a recent graduate of our Leadership for Sustainability program where her work examined the connection of Burlington School District to our local Indigenous population.

Scholarship Opportunities

Learn about Shelburne Farms scholarships and how to apply. 

Core Faculty

Register for Courses

Explore and register for EFS courses

Contact Us

If you are interested or have questions, please email us at efs@uvm.edu or complete the inquiry form below. We look forward to hearing from you.

Curriculum

12-credit Micro Certificate of Graduate Study (mCGS-EFS)

Each course is 3 graduate credits.

Education for Sustainability Leadership Academy:

18-credit Certificate of Graduate Student (CGS-EFS) 

All courses are 3 graduate credits.

Required Core Courses

Education for Sustainability Leadership Academy:

Elective Courses (choose two from the following list)

  • CDAE 6210 Econ of Sustainable Food Syst
  • CDAE 6260 Community Economic Development
  • CDAE 6760 Communicating Science
  • FS 6450 Food Systems Science and Policy
  • FS 6400 Food Systems, Society and Policy
  • PSS 6110 Introduction to Agroecology (online)
  • PSS 6120 The Ecological Foundations of Agroecology (online)
  • PSS 6130 Participatory Action Research (PAR) & Transdisciplinary Approaches to Agroecology (online)
  • PSS 6140 Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, and Social Movements (online)

Register for Courses

Explore and register for courses