Program Description
Vermont State University’s Bachelor of Arts program in Education: Secondary with Special Education is intended for students seeking licensure in Art (PK-12), Science, Social Studies, Math, English, Dance, and Theater (7-12). Students seeking recommendation for licensure in the content areas above will double major in Education: Secondary with Special Education as well as in a content area major.*
With careful planning, a full-time student can complete the degree in four years, earning recommendation for a Level I Professional Educator’s License with an endorsement in their content area issued by the Vermont Agency of Education. This license is required to work as a public-school teacher in Vermont; it also is recognized and accepted by all other states who have signed the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. By completing the program requirements, students will be on a pathway towards recommendation for an endorsement in special education (grades 7-age 21). Students interested in pursuing their special education endorsement would only need to earn an additional 6 credits to complete this path.
Careful attention is given to the growth of children as individuals whose ideas, interests, joys, strengths, and challenges are formed within a community. The program focuses on action research, collaboration, social justice, inclusivity, diversity, equity, inclusion, democracy, critical perspectives, inquiry, creativity, advocacy, theory into practice, and education as a public good.
Students declare Education: Secondary with Special Education as a second academic major to accompany their content-area major (e.g., science, math, English, art). They should apply to a VTSU Teacher Education Program after completing their first education course. Throughout the program, students enroll in a series of Teacher Education Workshops (TEWs) that outline licensure requirements, policies, and procedures. Note: Declaring a major in Education: Secondary with Special Education is not the same as being accepted into a Teacher Education Program.
*VTSU students pursuing recommendation for licensure with endorsements in (a) Music Education (BM.EDU) or (b) Physical Education (BS.PED) or (c) Health Education (BS.HED) do not enroll in the Education: Secondary with Special Education major. VTSU students pursuing recommendation for licensure with an endorsement in Career & Technical Education do not enroll in the Education: Secondary with Special Education major.
As an Education Department, we work to design learning experiences for VTSU students based on a foundational set of values. These values include (and are not limited to): action research, community, collaboration, social justice, inclusivity, diversity, equity, inclusion, democracy, critical perspectives, inquiry, creativity, challenging the status quo, advocacy for students, theory into practice, and education as a public good.
Program Outcomes
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Analyze the inequities embedded in the US PK-12 public education system and identify strategies for action and change;
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Collaborate with community stakeholders in PK-12 educational systems to advocate for student needs;
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Use theory, inquiry, creativity, critical thinking, and research to investigate historical and contemporary problems and issues in PK-12 educational systems;
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Envision, design, and build inclusive learning environments;
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Critically reflect on their roles as advocates, colleagues, and educators in their communities.
