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Earn A Graduate Certificate in Customized Learning
Since 2008, the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) has been a leader in competency-based education, providing personalized, customizable, student-centered learning.
That’s why we’ve partnered with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) to offer graduate courses leading to a graduate certificate in customized learning.
Graduate-Level Courses
VLACS offers graduate-level courses for educators, administrators, and curriculum developers who want to deepen their understanding of student-centered, competency-based education.
Complete the full certificate, or take only the courses that interest you. Whether you’re looking to design project-based assignments, create competencies and rubrics, or strengthen equity and student-focused practices in your classroom, these courses offer practical tools that you can apply right away.
These flexible online courses, taught by experienced practitioners, are structured to work around your schedule. Each course is eight weeks long, and requires about 44 hours of overall work. Readings and assignments are done asynchronously, with four synchronous Zoom meetings throughout the duration of the course. During these meetings, you will have the opportunity to interact with other educators from New Hampshire and beyond.
Earn graduate credit, meet professional development requirements, and enhance your skills in creating equitable, forward-thinking learning environments.
Program Highlights
Graduate Certificate
Participants can earn one graduate credit per course through SNHU, with the opportunity to complete 15 courses to earn a Graduate Certificate in Customized Learning.
Collaborative Learning
Each eight-week course includes four synchronous meetings designed to model a professional learning community to foster collaboration, self-reflection, and professional growth.
Eligibility
Open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree in any field. Courses have fixed start dates.
Cost
An affordable, flat-rate tuition of $425 per course.
Current Course Offerings
The certificate is divided into five course-clusters:
- Foundations of Customized Learning
- Learning Opportunities
- Demonstrations of Learning
- The Learning Environment
- Equity in Customized Learning
The fall semester begins October 6th and ends December 12th.
About Competency-Based Education and Customized Learning
Competency-based education ensures that students progress by demonstrating mastery of specific skills and knowledge, rather than advancing based on classroom time or age. Learning is flexible, and students move forward only when they’ve shown they understand the material. Customized learning builds on this foundation by allowing students to choose how, when, and where they learn. VLACS offers various learning pathways (courses, projects, experiences, and college-level options), so students can select the format that best fits their interests, goals, and learning styles.
In short, competency-based education provides the structure for measuring learning, while customized learning offers the flexibility to personalize how students achieve those competencies. Together, they create a student-centered approach where learning is both rigorous and adaptable.
How it Works
Step 1. Choose course(s)
Browse the Learning Catalog to determine which course(s) you want to take.
Step 2. Register
Click the yellow “ENROLL NOW” button in the course description.
*You must enroll in each course individually using the unique link in the course description. This link is different from the yellow “Enroll” button found in the navigation menu.
Step 3. Pay Your Tuition
If you have a VLACS EduFrame account, sign in. If you do not, enter your information to create one. Then, pay your tuition to start learning.
4. Get Academic Credit
Complete the course and receive a VLACS and an SNHU transcript.
Why Choose VLACS?
As pioneers in competency-based education, VLACS provides professional development that reflects over a decade of expertise in delivering customized learning. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or curriculum developer, VLACS’s opportunities help you grow professionally and drive transformational change in education.
Get Started Today!
Explore VLACS’s graduate-level courses and build your expertise in customized learning.
