Educators involved in experiential place-based learning at Shelburne Farms.

Accelerate positive change in your school and community with an Education for Sustainability (EFS) Certificate of Graduate Study.

To accelerate transformative societal response to the interconnected environmental, social, and economic challenges of our time, the University of Vermont and the Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools established a partnership to offer two certificates of graduate study in Education for Sustainability (EFS). Each certificate program 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 EFS coursework prepares educators to empower learners in making positive changes in their communities while shifting societies to improve the quality of life for current and for future generations. 

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. The innovative co-teaching arrangement and scholarship opportunities reduce costs for graduate students. 

Each pathway includes four core courses offered at Shelburne Farms’ campus or online. 

Micro Certificate of Graduate Study in Education for Sustainability (12 credits)

Required Courses (3 credits each)

EDCI 343 Foundations of Education for Sustainability
EDCI 344 Methods in Education for Sustainability
EDCI 345 Education for Sustainability Inquiry & Action
EDCI 346 Transformational Leadership in Education for Sustainability

Certificate of Graduate Study in Education for Sustainability (18 credits)

Required Core Courses (3 credits each)

EDCI 343 Foundations of Education for Sustainability
EDCI 344 Methods in Education for Sustainability
EDCI 345 Education for Sustainability Inquiry & Action
EDCI 346 Transformational Leadership in Education for Sustainability

Elective Courses (choose two of the following 3-credit courses)

CDAE 260 Smart Resilient Communities
CDAE 273 Project Development & Planning
CDAE 276 Community Design Studio
CDAE 321 Econ of Sustainable Food Syst
CDAE 326 Community Economic Development
CDAE 376 Communicating Science
FS 340 Food Systems Science and Policy
FS 345 Food Systems, Society and Policy
PSS 311 Introduction to Agroecology
PSS 312 The Ecological Foundations of Agroecology.
PSS 313 Participatory Action Research (PAR) & Transdisciplinary Approaches to Agroecology
PSS 314 Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, and Social Movements

Scholarship Opportunity

Learn about Shelburne Farms scholarships and how to apply. 

Core Faculty

Application Instructions

Contact Us

Please email us at efs@uvm.edu if you are have are interested or have questions.

 

See our full listing of Graduate Programs & Professional Learning Opportunities.