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Program Overview

TAP's mission is to attract, support, and develop the most effective teachers and school leaders in the State of Vermont.

  • TAP is designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree and strong content knowledge and work experience who are interested in pursuing a teaching career.
  • TAP is an 8-month full-time non-degree certificate program, including coursework and student teaching with a mentor teacher. There are two intakes per year. The first class begins in mid-August and is completed at the end of March, while the second class begins in early December and is completed in July. Candidates should expect to be engaged from 7:30 to 3:30 five days a week with the exception of school holidays.
  • TAP prepares candidates to become licensed directly through the Vermont Agency of Education.
  • TAP is now accepting applications for its next term.

Minimum Entrance Requirements

  • Minimum of a bachelor's degree with a strong concentration in courses related to the educator endorsement being sought (typically 30 credits or equivalent for high school, 18 credits or equivalent for middle level).
  • Strong content area background and professional experience related to the educator endorsement being sought.
  • Related professional and/or life experiences which would show evidence that the candidate genuinely likes and enjoys working with young people.
  • Ability to make the time commitment necessary for successful and timely completion of the 8-month program.

When to Apply

  • Applications are available here. TAP accepts candidates on a rolling admission basis. Since class size is limited, and it can take weeks to secure placement at a Vermont school, it is best to apply as early as possible.

Steps to Applying

  • Decide which licensure endorsement you will be pursuing. TAP does not prepare individuals for licensure in elementary education, guidance, or special education.
  • Make sure you're eligible for the program. If you have strong content knowledge in your field through college course work and life and work experiences, and you possess a bachelor's degree, then you meet the minimum requirements for TAP.
  • Complete an application for the desired content area and grade level.

Internship Dates

  • The internship runs for approximately eight months. The first intake runs from mid-August to late March. The second intake runs from early December to late June. Breaks and holidays shall be consistent with the school calendar.

Program Costs

  • TAP tuition is $11,900, which shall be due prior to the start of the Program. There is also a $100 non-refundable application fee. If payment is not received by the deadline specified, the applicant forfeits his/her placement in TAP. VSAC is a possible source for grants and loans. More information can be found at www.vsac.org
  • Tuition includes all costs associated with the program such as:
    • $1000 non-refundable acceptance, materials, and placement fee
    • an eight-month apprenticeship with a mentor teacher
    • coursework, workshops, and seminars
    • supervision by TAP faculty during your student teaching internship
    • individualized, on-going Level I Portfolio development and assessment
  • TAP arranges two placements for applicants seeking a K-12 endorsement, as required by the VT Agency of Education licensing rules. Interns will be charged an additional $500 fee for the benefit of working with two mentors in two different settings. This fee allows for a mentor honorarium, and additional TAP supervisor observation hours.
  • For an additional $500 fee, candidates can earn a second endorsement. This fee ensures compensation for second mentors and additional TAP supervisor observation hours.

Additional costs include a $200 application fee to the Agency of Education for the State of Vermont for licensure (3 year Level I). For more information, view here.

Licensure Requirements

In order to be recommended to the state of Vermont for licensure, interns must meet the following requirements:

  1. Full participation in TAP seminars including self-assessment with regular goal setting (see attendance policy)
  2. Successful completion of a solo teaching experience with mentor and TAP supervisor observations and documentation
  3. Completion of the Level I Portfolio and approval as "meets standard" on all tasks (see Vermont Licensure Portfolio)
  4. Passing scores for the Praxis® Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) and Praxis II® Subject Assessments (Qualifying SAT or GRE scores may replace Praxis I requirement) with scores sent to TAP and the VT AOE from ETS directly

Upon successful completion of the TAP requirements, TAP will issue a letter to the TAP intern recommending the TAP candidate for Level I licensure. Graduate must then complete and submit the VT AOE online application for licensure along with official transcripts, criminal background check, official TAP recommendation letter, licensure application and license fee.