All students must meet the Requirements for the micro-Certificate of Graduate Study (mCGS)
Overview
The concept of community schools is grounded within an interdisciplinary ecological systems theory framework that emphasizes the interplay between education, community development, and social services. This provides a useful lens for understanding how community schools can function as a microcosm of the broader community, facilitating interactions between students, families, educators, and local organizations, including institutions of higher education.
By incorporating these various networks and interactions, community schools foster a sense of belonging and promote positive student outcomes. Further, the community schools approach has been identified as an applicable and effective method for providing wraparound services that address the multifaceted needs of students and families. This form of collaborative, integrated approach ensures access to healthcare, counseling, and nutrition, mitigating barriers that often hinder the development and academic success of students. Moreover, community schools can serve as hubs for community engagement, promoting collaborative decision-making processes that foster a sense of ownership and investment in the educational system alongside the local community.
The UVM mCGS in Community Schools provides education and social services professionals with a distinct learning opportunity and distinguishing experience in community schools that aligns with local and national trends toward more inclusive, approachable, and effective methods to support student, family and community well-being and development.
This program provides UVM CESS an opportunity to be at the forefront of this movement and meet a growing need for deeper learning and engagement with innovative interdisciplinary approaches to public education and positive youth development by creating a micro-Certificate of Graduate Study in Community Schools that is nested within an existing Certificate of Graduate Study in Resiliency Based Approaches.
Specific Requirements
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies for the micro-Certificate of Graduate Study
Students are required to have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Minimum Degree Requirements
To earn the micro-Certificate of Graduate Study, students must complete 9 credits:
| Requirement Description | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EDSP 6320 | Fam,Schl&Intrprof Partnerships | 3 |
| EDSP 6350 | The Community Schools Approach | 3 |
| EDSP 6340 | Restorative&Trma Pract w/Child | 3 |
| or EDSP 6330 | Resilience-orient Systems Chng | |
| Or other course approved by CGS faculty | ||