Tuition and Fee Details
Unlike residential programs that are intended for full-time students who must give up their professional employment, the MLS Program is designed for students who work full-time. This model allows us to offer a reduced tuition rate.
Calculate MLS Program costs here using the information below
| 30 total credits | Typically completed in 2 years across 6 semesters | Typically 6 credits per semester, or 15 credits per year |
Always refer to the Student Financial Services website for the most up-to-date tuition and fees information. You can also reach out to Drusilla Roessle for a sample per-semester calculation and yearly totals.
Financial Support
MLS program students may offset tuition costs in a variety of ways. Generally, funding has come in the form of the six categories listed below.
Scholarship Opportunities
The Rubenstein School makes every effort to work with students to make their graduate education financially affordable. All admissions decisions are made without regard to financial need or ability to pay. Merit-based and need-based financial support are available through a variety of sources. Professional development and/or tuition remission funds may also be available through your employer and/or organizational partner. If you are interested in applying for scholarships, reach out to Margaret Williams to inquire about filling out a Scholarship Application form.
External Scholarship Opportunities
Our students have also received many external scholarship/fellowships including the Ashoka Fellowship, Robert Fullwood Johnson Foundation Fellowship, Switzer Fellowship, and others. View a compiled list of relevant external scholarships/fellowships (Google Doc). Prospective students can also find external funding information and resources provided by the UVM Graduate College.
Direct Project Funding and Grants
Some MLS students have applied for grants, private gifts, and even crowd-sourced support to pursue their Master's Capstone Project (which may reciprocally benefit their organization/community). Some of this funding has supported travel and direct costs of project work, while other funding has supported students’ time and even tuition costs. In some cases, students have used their project to do significant fundraising for their own home community/organization.
Organizational Support
Many MLS students receive financial support toward tuition remission and other direct costs from their home organization particularly when the organization recognizes that this 2-year program may be a value-add to the student, organization, and larger community. Some students have designed projects that have led to partnerships with organizations who are willing to fund students for the completion of their Master's Capstone Project.
Financial Aid
UVM’s Student Financial Services Center provides support to graduate students to explore traditional financial aid opportunities in the form of loans, work study, etc.