Responding to a statewide shortage of Computer Science (CS) teachers, Vermont EPSCoR’s RII Track-1: Harnessing the Data Revolution for Vermont: The Science of Online Corpora, Knowledge, and Stories (SOCKS) award will fund a new graduate certificate course at the University of Vermont (UVM).  Launched in August 2024, the inaugural cohort of students filled enrollment expectations, represent counties across Vermont and are able to attend the class offered remotely.  

The Graduate Certificate in Computer Science Education is designed for educators interested in teaching CS for grades 7 to 12 and others who work in non-school settings. Aiming to educate a new generation of CS teachers and supporting diverse groups of students to become CS literate, the certificate includes five online courses for a total of 18 graduate credits. Upon completion of the program , previously licensed Vermont educators will be eligible for a teaching licensure endorsement in Computer Science Education through the Vermont Agency of Education.

"There is an urgent need in Vermont for certified teachers to teach CS in grades K-12," said Dr. Regina Toolin, Associate Professor of STEM Education at UVM and member of the SOCKS Center for Workforce and Professional Education (CWPE). "Currently, only 19 teachers are licensed to teach CS in Vermont. A CODE.org survey reported that 62% of Vermont principals think CS is just as or more important than required core classes. However, they also state that one of the biggest barriers to offering CS is the lack of funds for hiring and training teachers. Funding the Graduate Certificate in Computer Science Education at UVM is in direct response to this need and gap in Vermont schools."

The graduate certificate is available through hybrid study and can be obtained through full-time and part-time enrollment at UVM. To learn more about the certificate, click here.