The value and importance of vocational education and training is obvious; without skilled tradespeople, the whole country would come to a grinding halt. Mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, chefs, electricians, plasterers, dental hygienists – you name it – all play an essential role in the economy. So do those who teach the trades within the public schools.

If you are a tradesman who would like to share your expertise through teaching, or if you’re already doing that and want to enhance your teaching skills, or earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree to advance your career, there is a great pathway for you at Fitchburg State University!

Stack your credentials and get started on the path today, with opportunities to take courses across the Commonwealth through MAVA (Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators), and through Fitchburg State with online courses throughout the year, or on our beautiful North Central Massachusetts campus.

Step 1 – Vocational Technical Teacher Approval Program – a 39 semester hour competency based training program that provides you with the curriculum, organizational and delivery skills, and the methodological and pedagogical competencies needed to become an effective vocational technical instructor or pursue a baccalaureate program.

Step 2 – Bachelor of Science in Occupational/Vocational Education – apply all 36 credits from the approval program in Step 1 toward your bachelor degree. Earn up to 12 credits for your trade experience through our Life Experience Credit Award Program (LECAP). Pursue the balance of your degree online or on the Fitchburg State campus. Contact an advisor regarding transfer credit options. Many administrators in vocational education have used this degree to provide their entry into positions such as Cooperative Education coordinator, and vocational cluster coordinator.

Step 3 – Want more? Earn your Master of Education in Occupational Education, and prepare for advancement in the field of education. This 36-credit graduate program may be completed online, with some cohorts of students pursuing the degree through our MAVA partner schools. The master's degree is composed of  six required and four elective courses to complete the degree. Many engineering and nursing education students who enter the vocational education community with a bachelor degree, take advantage of of the licensure courses being available at the graduate level and apply four of the seven license courses toward their master's degree program.

Learn more – register for our upcoming webinar on December 5 at 3:00pm