Professional Credentials and Certificates


Early Childhood and Afterschool career pathways include certificates, credentials, academic degrees and educator licensure.

NOTE: Find all applications for Northern Lights issued Certficates and Credentials

An Academic Degree is a position or title awarded by an accredited college or university.  An Educator license is issued by the Vermont Department of Education to those who have met their qualifications and standards .  You can find more about educator license on the Department of Education website.

A certificate recognizes completion of a program of study or training, which is based on a defined set of learning objectives. The early childhood and afterschool pathways recognize these certificates:

A Credential recognizes when an individual has met specific competencies based on established professional standards set by a recognized institution or professional organization. Credentials often require a portfolio or observation to document achievement.  Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Credentials include:

Afterschool credentials are embedded in the Afterschool career pathways.

In the early childhood career ladder, many of the certificates and credential are  embedded at specific levels.  The Program Director and Early Childhood Family Mental Health credentials branch off of the  career ladder.