Professional Education at UVEI

You can get there from here.

At UVEI, professional education does not mean passively receiving content; instead, it is active engagement in a cycle of inquiring, learning, applying, and reflecting. We call this an “inquiry cycle,” and every one of our teaching offerings and leadership offerings follows this model. With active engagement, your learning can help you achieve a wide variety of personal and professional goals. Here are some frequently asked questions that we have heard about from our participants.

When do your courses take place?

We have inquiry cycles throughout the school year, with a majority beginning in the fall or in January and lasting for approximately three months. In addition to attending seminars, you’ll be applying your learning in your school setting, reflecting through a timesheet, and submitting a final “performance assessment” – evidence of what you did and reflection on how it went.

Do you have online courses?

Our seminars are either in-person (in Lebanon, NH) or synchronous online (via Zoom). Some of our teaching-focused offerings have all synchronous online seminars, but most of our offerings have a mix of online and in-person seminars. See our teaching-focused offerings and leadership-focused offerings for links to more information, including a schedule or sample schedule, for each inquiry cycle.

How many credits can I earn?

Our standard inquiries are worth 2-4 graduate credits. If you choose, you may add 1 credit to have a greater focus on reading and incorporating the research into your analysis and reflections, and a greater time commitment as a result. You may also choose to add 1 credit for a coaching cycle (pre-conference, observation, post-conference) with a UVEI faculty member to support further improvement and application in your clinical setting. You can anticipate spending about 45 hours per credit on the work over the course of an inquiry cycle- this includes the relevant work you are already doing in schools, the time spent at seminars, and the time spent on reading and written reflection.

How much does it cost?

For 2026-2027, our tuition will be $640 per graduate credit. Many participants are able to use their contractual professional learning funds to cover the expense, but we recommend planning and submitting paperwork in advance. 

I don’t need credits – can I “audit” a class?

We know that the best learning comes from inquiry & engagement, so we do not offer an “audit” option in the traditional sense. We do offer an option to earn clock hours without doing a performance assessment. This still requires reading, doing the activities, and reflecting in the seminar. Contact us to discuss whether this would be a good fit for your needs.

If I take a course now, can I apply the credits later towards a master’s degree or a licensure program?

Yes, when the inquiry is relevant to the degree or licensure you are seeking, the credits will often be applied. In some cases, you’ll even be participating in the inquiry WITH the current licensure or degree cohort members, so it can also be a helpful way to see what learning is like at UVEI and see if it’s a good fit for you for the future.

Can you help me with initial educator licensure through peer-review (VT) or site-based plans (NH)?

Yes! For those seeking initial educator licensure in Vermont through the peer-review process, or in New Hampshire through a site-based plan, UVEI offers collaborative, experiential graduate-level coursework for new teachers, experienced teachers, and school or teacher leaders. We also offer Specialized Inquiry options that can meet state standards or can support and structure your portfolio-building work. For greater support, coaching, and a direct path to licensure, we also recommend our full licensure programs in teaching, leadership, and literacy. Please contact us to discuss your plans.

I’m looking to add an endorsement- can you help?

Yes, participants in our professional education inquiries have used the work to add an endorsement to an existing license. If you already have an extensive background and are looking to fill some gaps in a transcript analysis/review for a new endorsement, UVEI’s flexible offerings for  experienced teachers and school or teacher leaders can provide the targeted knowledge and skills you need. Consult with us on how to align your professional development plan with the specific requirements for your desired endorsement.