Accelerate positive change in your school and community
Energize your teaching practice and advance your knowledge with coursework grounded in action research, transformative education, and youth leadership.
You’ll practice changemaking skills and deepen your expertise in bringing Education for Sustainability to life for learners. You’ll also demonstrate a commitment to building a more sustainable future, realign your practice with your values, and build a professional network.
Choose your pathway:
- Micro Certificate of Graduate Study in Education for Sustainability with the University of Vermont
- Certificate of Graduate Study in Education for Sustainability with the University of Vermont
- Certificate in Education for Sustainability and Climate Action with Vermont State University Center for Schools
Take Your Next Step
For the Micro Certificate or Certificate of Graduate Study in Education for Sustainability with the University of Vermont, you'll apply via UVM.
For the Certificate in Education for Sustainability and Climate Action with Vermont State University Center for Schools, express your interest by emailing Director of Professional Learning Jen Cirillo at jcirillo@shelburnefarms.org.
Coursework
Take a series of EFS courses while earning graduate credits through the University of Vermont or Vermont State University. On-site gatherings at Shelburne Farms, coupled with online sessions, form the foundation of these programs.
Coursework is designed for practicing preK–12, post-secondary, and informal educators.
Core Courses
1. Foundations in Education for Sustainability
Learn to apply EFS as a unifying framework for curriculum, campus, community, and collaboration. Grow your understanding of sustainability and uncover promising practices for inquiry, systems thinking, and collective action. The recommended introduction to EFS.
- Online sessions in July
- In-person retreat in July at Shelburne Farms
- All coursework due in August
- 3 graduate credits
2. Education for Sustainability Leadership Academy
In a peer learning community, explore systems thinking, leadership skills, and changemaking in order to transform learning. Learn with and from the Land, practice leadership skills, and take action on an opportunity for transformation.
- Year-long program with virtual sessions throughout the year, plus four in-person retreats
- Kick-off in-person retreat in July at Shelburne Farms
- 6 graduate credits
Take Foundations in EFS and EFS Leadership Academy, described above, for a total of nine credits.
In addition to Foundations in EFS and EFS Leadership Academy, fufill the following requirements.
Immersion in Education for Sustainability
Reflect on identity, values, and place and how they inform our designs for learning. Create place-based projects that incorporate opportunities for student voice, and practice leadership skills for personal transformation and collaborative changemaking.
- Online sessions in July and August
- In-person retreat in July at Shelburne Farms
- All coursework due in August
- 3 graduate credits
Two Electives
Choose two of the following UVM courses (3 graduate credits each) to deepen your knowledge of sustainability in a field of personal interest, with topics like food systems, agroecology, and community design.
- 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)
In addition to Foundations in EFS and EFS Leadership Academy, fulfill the following requirements.
Immersion in Education for Sustainability
Reflect on identity, values, and place and how they inform our designs for learning. Create place-based projects that incorporate opportunities for student voice, and practice leadership skills for personal transformation and collaborative changemaking.
- Online sessions in July and August
- In-person retreat in July at Shelburne Farms
- All coursework due in August
- 3 graduate credits
Additional Shelburne Farms Course(s)
Pursue three additional credits through any Shelburne Farms course offered in partnership with VTSU Center for Schools.
- Climate Resiliency Fellowship (3 credits)
- Climate Creative (2 credits)
- Cultivating Joy and Wonder (2 credits)
- A Forest for Every Classroom (3 credits)
- A Watershed for Every Classroom (3 credits)
Meet Shelburne Farms' Faculty
Frequently Asked Questions
We offer three EFS certificate pathways for educators interesting in earning graduate credits. Key differences between these programs include the credential you’ll receive upon completion; number of credits; and total cost. Choose the program that’s right for you based on your personal and professional goals—all offer quality instruction, immersive learning retreats, and a supportive community of peers.
To discuss which program is right for you, please contact Director of Professional Learning Jen Cirillo at jcirillo@shelburnefarms.org.
Coursework is designed for practicing preK–12, post-secondary, and informal educators. Alumni include educators from varied backgrounds: classroom teachers, sustainability coordinators, school librarians, full-time graduate students, and non-formal educators. Although all share a goal of educating for sustainability, each student comes to the program with unique goals for their career, school, or community.
All programs include a combination of on-site retreats and online sessions.
For UVM electives: The mode and method of instruction depends on your selected courses, but UVM does offer remote and asynchronous learning options. Many UVM students take graduate-level courses and simultaneously work full-time. Explore all graduate offerings via the course catalogue on UVM’s website or reach out to Program Coordinator for the EFS Certificate Ali Brooks at ali.brooks@uvm.edu to discuss your options.
We recommend taking four semesters to complete the 9-credit micro certificate: Summer A, Summer B, Fall, and Spring.
- Summer A: Foundations in EFS
- Summer B: EFS Leadership Academy session one
- Fall B: EFS Leadership Academy session two
- Spring B: EFS Leadership Academy sessions three and four
The 18-credit certificate may be completed in five semesters. Recommended sequence is as follows.
- Summer A: Foundations in EFS
- Fall A or Spring A: UVM elective course
- Summer B: Immersion in EFS + EFS Leadership Academy session one
- Fall B: EFS Leadership Academy session two
- Fall B or Spring B: UVM elective course
- Spring B: EFS Leadership Academy sessions three and four
The 15-credit certificate is highly individualized, but may also be completed in five semesters.
- Summer A: Foundations in EFS
- Summer A or Fall-Spring A: Shelburne Farms elective course
- Summer B: Immersion in EFS + EFS Leadership Academy session one
- Fall B: EFS Leadership Academy session two
- Fall B–Spring B: Additional Shelburne Farms elective course if needed
- Spring B: EFS Leadership Academy sessions three and four
Shelburne Farms' fees are charged by course, and are listed on individual course webpages linked above. Total fees will vary depending on your selected certificate. Contact Director of Professional Learning Jen Cirillo at jcirillo@shelburnefarms.org to discuss Shelburne Farms fees and potential scholarship funds.
These fees are in addition to the cost of either Vermont State University Center for Schools credits or University of Vermont credits.
For the 15-credit certificate: Vermont State University Center for Schools credits are offered at $145 per credit for both in- and out-of-state participants.
For the 9-credit micro certificate or 18-credit certificate: University of Vermont credits are offered for in-state participants at $484 per credit in summer/$706 per credit in spring and fall; for out-of-state participants, $1,302 per credit in summer/$1,944 per credit in spring and fall. You will also be assessed a comprehensive fee of $10 per credit. You can apply directly to UVM for a graduate tuition scholarship. Note: These scholarship decisions are made individually by UVM and are separate from Shelburne Farms scholarships. Contact Program Coordinator for the EFS Certificate Ali Brooks at ali.brooks@uvm.edu for more information.
You'll apply to either the Micro Certificate or Certificate program directly through UVM. Begin your application via UVM's Graduate College. Admission is on a rolling basis, but we recommend applying by early spring for a summer start. Reach out to Program Coordinator for the EFS Certificate Ali Brooks at ali.brooks@uvm.edu for information or support.
To enroll, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree. There is no GRE required.
Simply enroll in one of our courses and begin taking credits; you do not need to officially enroll in the certificate. You can take courses in the timeline that works best for you, though we recommend taking the EFS courses above in the order listed. To express your interest in the certificate or for assistance in choosing which course to begin your studies with, contact Director of Professional Learning Jen Cirillo at jcirillo@shelburnefarms.org. For registration assistance, contact Education Program Administrator and Registrar Mariah Reed at mreed@shelburnefarms.org.
Upon completion of 15 credits and verification of passing grades on the transcript, you will be issued a certificate of completion from the VTSU Center for Schools.
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Andy DubackThe EFS Certificates are learning cohort-based, meaning you’ll move through the program with a community of fellow educators.
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Bear CieriFacilitators bring a range of experience and will incorporate your interests and goals into every program.
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Andrea EsteyAlthough all share a goal of educating for sustainability, each student comes to the program with unique goals for their career, school, or community.
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Andrea EsteyIn-person gatherings are a mix of workshops and intimate retreats.
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Andrea EsteyShelburne Farms is a 1,400-acre working farm and an inspiring campus for learning.
Our Higher Education Partners
Students Say
The focus on relationships, mindfulness, and systems activities has been helpful. No matter what you teach, all of the things we're learning can be incorporated into any subject or grade level, and that's evident in the variety of participants. What I've enjoyed most is meeting the varied cohort. It's all about the exchange of ideas.
Students Say
EFS has helped me to see my role as bigger than just in my classroom, and how to affect change from within the education system. Now I see myself as a leader.
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