Vermont Technical College is a public, co-educational, two- and four- year technical college with a rural residential campus located in Randolph Center, Vermont, a non-residential Williston campus in Williston, Vermont and seven satellite nursing campuses located throughout the state. Part of the Vermont State Colleges system that includes Castleton State College, Johnson State College, Lyndon State College, and the Community College of Vermont. Vermont Tech offers collegiate-level programs leading to an associate's degree with majors in applied technologies and related fields; to a bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering, Business Technology & Management, Computer Engineering, Dental Hygiene, Electromechanical Engineering, Equine Studies, Information Technology, Sustainable Design & Technology, and Software Engineering; and to a certificate in Practical Nursing.
The college provides students with a rigorous, broad-based background in the engineering technologies and applied sciences. Graduates are well prepared to work with scientists, engineers, and other professionals in meeting the challenges of today's high-tech workplace. They find career opportunities in business, industry, commerce, transportation, agriculture, health care, construction, and government.
A major advantage of the associate's degree is that it affords the choice of entering employment upon graduation or continuing toward a bachelor's degree. The majority of Vermont Tech graduates go directly to work. A significant number enter bachelor's degree programs after graduation.
Vermont Technical College (Vermont Tech) is an integral and unique college within the Vermont State Colleges education system, offering associate and baccalaureate degrees, certificates, and continuing education in career-oriented technologies such as agriculture, applied sciences, business, engineering, and health sciences.
Vermont Tech serves its students, the state of Vermont, and the region by providing high quality, accessible, post-secondary education through broad-based curricula that prepare graduates for the workplace, for continuing formal education, and for lifelong learning.
Vermont Tech undertakes its mission guided by institutional values and focused by institutional objectives.
Vermont Tech emphasizes the core values of dedication, integrity, and responsibility as a foundation for learning, for career preparation, and for citizenship.
Vermont Tech is dedicated to its tradition of helping students reach their full potential by developing their academic and scholarly proficiencies, critical thinking and communication skills, civic responsibility, and global awareness.
The faculty, staff, administration, and students at Vermont Tech are committed to forming a stimulating, compassionate, and supportive learning community which fosters the personal and professional growth of all members.
Vermont Tech values its role in supporting the Vermont economy and meeting the needs of businesses by preparing highly qualified graduates in various occupations, as well as by providing businesses with opportunities for continuing education for their employees.
- Establish a high quality academic environment
- Broaden students' experiences, both academically and socially
- Emphasize the combination of theoretical concepts and practical applications in the curriculum
- Prepare students to adapt to changing technology
- Offer academic and personal support services that enhance student learning
- Furnish placement and transfer services for students, graduates, and alumni seeking employment and further education
- Afford opportunities for faculty and staff development
- Pursue strong liaisons with Vermont elementary and secondary schools (K-12)
- Inform the general public and potential students of opportunities at Vermont Tech
- Encourage a large and diverse population to enter Vermont Tech
- Strengthen relationships with our community partners
- Provide outreach programs to meet the needs of entrepreneurs, employers, and employees
- Maintain continuing communication and relationships with alumni
For the benefit of Vermont, the Vermont State Colleges provide affordable, high quality, student-centered, and accessible education, fully integrating professional, liberal, and career study.
This integrated education, in conjunction with applied learning experiences, assures that graduates of VSC programs will:
- Demonstrate competence in communication, research, and critical thinking
- Practice creative problem-solving both individually and collaboratively
- Be engaged, effective, and responsible citizens
- Bring to the workplace appropriate skills and an appreciation of work quality and ethics
- Embrace the necessity and joy of lifelong learning
The Vermont State Colleges also offer numerous opportunities for others to engage in continuous learning to meet their specific goals.
Vermont Technical College is one of the five member institutions of the Vermont State Colleges system.
In Public Act No. 1 of 1866, the Vermont legislature established in Randolph Center the first public school in Vermont devoted to the education of teachers. The Randolph State Normal School served this function until 1910, when the legislature determined that there was a need for a state agricultural school and established the Vermont School of Agriculture at the Normal School site by legislative act (November 29, 1910).
Over the long years of its existence, the Vermont School of Agriculture-VSA- graduated many Vermonters distinguished by their numerous and notable contributions to agriculture and government.
In response to evolving educational needs in the state, technical courses were added to the offerings of the school in 1957, and a new name, (Vermont Agricultural and Technical Institute), reflected this expanding mission. The Vermont Agricultural and Technical Institute opened on September 9, 1957 as the first technical institute in Vermont, with an initial enrollment of approximately 75 students.
By act of the 1961 Legislature, VATI and the then state teacher colleges (Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon) were placed under the control of a newly-created public corporation known as Vermont State Colleges. Community College of Vermont joined the other state colleges in 1975.
The name VATI was changed to Vermont Technical College on July 1, 1962 and the college was authorized to grant the degree of Associate of Applied Science with a major in the program pursued. The Associate of Engineering degree was first granted in 1965 and the first one-year certificate was awarded in 1986. Another milestone came on May 7, 1993 when the Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees approved the college's first baccalaureate degree program-the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering Technology. A second baccalaureate curriculum, the Bachelor of Science in Electromechanical Engineering Technology, began instruction in fall of 1995 and the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Technology in fall of 2000. Beginning in 2005 the college offered a Bachelor of Science in either Software Engineering or Information Technology. In June 2007, these additional baccalaureate degrees were added: Dental Hygiene, Equine Studies, and Sustainable Design & Technology.
Nursing programs were added to the college curriculum in 1994 when Vermont's three schools of practical nursing became part of the Vermont Tech community. Beginning in fall of 1996, Practical Nursing became a credit-bearing program that can also be applied toward a two-year associate's degree in nursing from Vermont Tech.
The Vermont Technical College main campus is located on 544 acres in the rural village of Randolph Center, near the geographical center of the State of Vermont. Interstate 89 passes within one mile of the campus. Visitors should use exit 4 and travel east up the hill on Route 66 to Randolph Center.
Two branches of the state highway system serve the town of Randolph; Route 12 passes through the village of Randolph and Route 14 through the village of East Randolph. The distance from either village is about four miles. Buses from the metropolitan areas serve the Randolph area and Amtrak's Vermonter stops downtown twice daily.
Vermont Tech also is located in Williston, Vermont. The Williston campus is accessible from exit 12 of Interstate 89. Seven nursing satellite campuses are located throughout the state.
By authority conferred by the legislature of the State of Vermont, the Trustees of Vermont State Colleges have authorized Vermont Technical College to grant the degrees of Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Science, Associate of Engineering, and Bachelor of Science with a major in the program pursued.
The Vermont Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) at Vermont Technical College has Independent School Approval for grade 12 from the Vermont State Board of Education.
Vermont Technical College is an institutional member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Vermont Higher Education Council, and the American Society for Engineering Education.
Vermont Technical College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
The following programs are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (TAC of ABET): Architectural & Building Engineering Technology; Architectural Engineering Technology; Civil & Environmental Engineering Technology; Computer Engineering Technology; Electrical Engineering Technology; Electromechanical Engineering Technology; Mechanical Engineering Technology. The Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology may be contacted at 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-4012, telephone (410) 347-7700.
The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, 211 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60611-2678, (312) 440-4653.
The Veterinary Technology program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association as a program for educating veterinary technicians at 1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schamburg, Illinois 60173.
The Practical Nursing and Associate of Science in Nursing programs are approved by the Vermont State Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (NLNAC), 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10006. The Vermont State Board of Nursing may be contacted at the Office of Professional Regulation, National Life Building, North FL2, Montpelier, VT 05620-3402.
The Respiratory Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs, in collaboration with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care Programs, 1248 Harwood Rd., Bedford, Texas 76021-4244.
The College's Technology Extension Division seeks opportunities to extend Vermont Tech's professional services and custom education and training programs throughout Vermont and has established off-campus associate's degree and certificate programs in response to industry and public demand. The General Engineering Technology degree programs are industry-sponsored and offered primarily at the facilities of sponsoring organizations.
Through this division, the college has reached out to the business community and the state's growing numbers of adult learners with programs offered at times and locations convenient for working people.
The Technology Extension Division serves the college by providing information about the current and future technical needs of Vermont's business and industrial communities and by providing assistance and leadership in the development of new programs and curricula.
The Vermont Technical College Nursing Program is offered at four permanent locations in the state:
- Fanny Allen/Williston Campus
- Putnam/Bennington Campus
- Thompson/Brattleboro Campus
- Randolph Center Campus
In addition, the Nursing Program uses selected outreach locations as needed with instruction delivered over Vermont Interactive Television. Through a collaboration with the Community College of Vermont, locations around the state vary according to program need.
All sites offer an accredited program of educational preparation for students seeking entry-level nursing opportunities. The Practical Nursing programs are designed for completion over a 10-1/2 month period by full-time students. The schools also offer a second year of nursing studies leading to the associate's degree in nursing (ADN).
Associate's Degree in Nursing graduates with a GPA of 2.50 or higher may transfer to the baccalaureate in nursing program at the University of Vermont.
Student housing is available on the main campus and the Williston Campus.
The Department of English, Humanities, and Social Sciences offers liberal arts courses which are the foundation for education and which give breadth and depth to all degrees. Liberal arts courses introduce students to the core knowledge and concepts of the arts, humanities, and social sciences; foster an appreciation for the major domains of human achievement and inquiry into the human condition; provide a common educational experience; refine communication and information literacy skills; celebrate common values and diversity of experiences and viewpoints; develop critical thinking and ethical reasoning; nurture civic responsibility; and encourage life-long learning.
The faculty of the Department of English, Humanities, and Social Sciences believes that all college graduates must be introduced to the knowledge, concepts and methodologies of the two key subject areas of the liberal arts: social sciences and arts & humanities. While the nature of Vermont Technical College's program precludes students from exploring these areas in depth, the department requires the following:
- All associate's degree students must take one Social Sciences (SS) and one Arts & Humanities (AH) elective
- All bachelor's degree students must take a minimum of four electives outside their program of study: SS and/or AH, and at least one 3000 level course, (12 credits minimum)
The Vermont Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) provides an opportunity for high school seniors with a strong interest and ability in science and math to complete their senior year at Vermont Tech. Recognized by the State of Vermont as an approved independent high school, the program awards high school diplomas. Additionally, because Vermont state law allows VAST students to transfer Vermont Tech credits back to their sending high schools, the students may receive a second high school diploma from that school.
Entry into VAST is competitive. Students should have a strong academic high school transcript and PSAT scores of 55 or higher for each sub-score (writing, reading comprehension, and math). Applicants should be able to meet the program entry requirements for specific majors listed in the table in the admissions section of this catalog. VAST students are expected to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA while attending Vermont Technical College and will be required to return to their sending high school if they cannot maintain good academic standing. VAST students also are expected to adhere to all policies and procedures outlined in the student handbook. For the application requirements, please refer to the Admissions section of this catalog under the Vermont Academy of Science and Technology heading.
Upon completion of the one-year program, students may remain at Vermont Tech to complete a degree or transfer to another institution.
The Vermont Legislature has provided that a Vermont student's general state support grant for the senior year of high school may be used to cover tuition for VAST. Vermont Tech provides financial aid to Vermont residents for any gap that may exist between the state grant and its tuition, enabling Vermonters to attend VAST tuition-free. Other fees, including room and board for students who choose to live on campus, are the responsibility of the student.
Math Science Upward Bound (MSUB) is a federally funded TRIO program designed to assist Vermont high school students who come from families with a limited income and have parents who do not have bachelor's degrees. The program's goal is to help its participants pursue their dreams of a college education and the opportunities that a college degree provides. To achieve this goal, MSUB hosts a six-week summer academic residential program at Vermont Tech and provides a variety of academic year support services.
MSUB academic staff monitor a participant's academic and social progress through regular monthly meetings at his/her school. Assistance is provided in course selection and career exploration. Tutoring and mentoring are available. The college application and financial aid processes are stressed during a participant's junior and senior years.
On select days throughout the school year, MSUB sponsors on-campus social gatherings, cultural and academic enrichment activities, and college application and financial aid workshops. The campus is often the jumping-off point for visits throughout New England to museums, theaters, concerts, sporting events, colleges, and college fairs.
The summer educational program is academically rich. Academic electives focus on applied learning and are supported by core classes in mathematics, test prep, literature, composition, college preparation, and foreign language. Additionally, enrichment electives provide students opportunities to work closely with professionals in science or technology-related fields. A variety of cultural enrichment activities enhance the experience.
Math Science Upward Bound values the following in its educational programming:
- Quality instruction and student advisement
- Innovative approaches to pre-college academic services
- Exploration of math and science subjects through experiential learning
- The spirit of inquiry and the free exchange of ideas
- Cultural enrichment and personal growth
- Family involvement in student's academic development
If you are applying as an international student you are required to submit the following:
- Completed Application (please type or print)
- $36 application fee (payable to Vermont Technical College)
- Official secondary school transcript. The transcript must arrive directly from the school on official letterhead in a sealed envelope. We also request that it be translated in English
- Official college/university transcript (if applicable)
- Official TOEFL scores if English is a second language. The minimum score required on the TOEFL test is 500 for the paper test and 173 for the computer based test
- Official financial statement indicating your ability to pay one full year of tuition, room and board. Proof must be provided on official blank letterhead and is needed before an I-20 can be issued
- International students are encouraged to apply between the months of November and April due to the lengthy Visa process
- Upon acceptance, international students are required to submit a $500 deposit before issuing your I-20. The $500 will be credited to the fall semester bill
- Please contact Diana Mellar, Associate Director of Admissions, at dmellar@vtc.edu