Accepted Student Next Steps

• Purchase black jeans or work pants and safety-toe leather boots/shoes. These must be worn any time you are working in the lab facility. Vermont State will provide black VTSU Auto Tech t-shirts.
• Purchase tools and roll cab/tool cart prior to the start of classes. For 2025, estimated tool costs: $6,500 – $7,000. Steve Simpson, VTSU Ground Transportation Dept. Chair, will work with students directly to understand the tools needed and pricing. Email Steve.Simpson@VermontState.edu with questions.

• Virtual information session for newly accepted students
  • Learn about the program, schedule, and ask questions. Financial Aid and Admissions representatives will be available.  
  • Date and Time: to be determined
• Mandatory in-person Program Orientation
  • Date and Time: to be determined
• Dental Hygiene Observation Requirement
  • Complete a minimum of 4 hours of observation in a dental office
  • Students are highly encouraged to shadow at the VTSU Dental Hygiene Clinic as well.
• Required On-Site Visit (July-August, Date TBD)
  • Students will be required to attend an on-site visit
  • Measurement for your magnification lenses (loupes) and N95 mask fit testing.
  • Important: Bring your prescription if you wear glasses. 
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
  • Must be from the American Heart Association or Red Cross (Other CPR certifications will not be accepted.)
• CastleBranch  Compliance Requirements (Due June 1)
  • Once deposited, students must purchase a medical document management package via CastleBranch. (The Dental Hygiene package code is VE30.)
  • Vaccinations: MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B (2 or 3 dose series), TB testing required annually, Tdap, Flu (annual, due 11/1), COVID-19 (recommended but not required)
  • Physical Exam (every 2 years): Complete VTSU Health Form and upload it
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Dental Hygiene Observation Experience in the Dental Office Form signed by the Dental Professional
  • Signed form acknowledging you have read the Dental Hygiene Handbook.
• Questions? Please contact Heather Blair, MPH, RDH, Department Co-Chair at Heather.Blair@VermontState.edu, (802) 316-2242

• Purchase black jeans or work pants and safety-toe leather boots/shoes. These must be worn any time you are working in the lab facility. Vermont State will provide black VTSU Auto Tech t-shirts.
• Purchase tools and roll cab/tool cart prior to the start of classes. For 2025, estimated tool costs: $6,500 – $7,000. Steve Simpson, VTSU Ground Transportation Dept. Chair, will work with students directly to understand the tools needed and pricing. Email Steve.Simpson@VermontState.edu with questions.

• The RN to BSN nursing program is online for classes, and you will be required to complete two (2) preceptorships as part of the program’s capstone courses.
• Your computer is your classroom for online courses. You will need a computer and high-speed internet access. Computer requirement details can be found at Vermont State Student Tech Requirement.
• Nursing courses include a preview period in Canvas, opening ten (10) days before the course starts. This allows you to explore the electronic classroom, download materials, and review course content.  
  • One (1) and three (3) credit NUR courses run in an accelerated 7.5-week format during the fall and spring semesters. Four (4) and six (6) credit courses run for the full semester. Six (6) credit capstone courses include required preceptorships. The online class week runs from Monday at 12:00 AM to Sunday at 11:59 PM. Online attendance typically includes participation in discussion forums, activities on Canvas, and assignment submissions.
  • Plan to dedicate 2-3 hours of study and preparation per credit hour per week.
• Preceptorship Requirements
  • The preceptorship provides hands-on experience in your community under the guidance of a preceptor.
    • Preceptors must be currently licensed registered nurses with a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (Master’s preferred) and have at least one year of experience in the setting that reflects the course objectives.
    • Students are responsible for securing preceptors, but faculty will offer guidance.
    • Preceptors are required for the Community Health Nursing and Nursing Leadership and Management capstone courses.
    • Preceptors must hold an active, unencumbered RN license.
• CastleBranch Requirement
  • Note: Before beginning your first capstone course, you will be required to upload health clearance and immunization records. These medical documents must be current — within a year of starting the capstone course. At that time, you must also purchase a CastleBranch package and update your medical information to avoid delays in your preceptorship. The RN-BSN package code is VE97.
  • If you are a direct progression student, contact CastleBranch customer service to update your account package code to VE97.
  • To prevent delays in preceptorship approval, ensure your CastleBranch BSN package is purchased and updated before your capstone courses. 
  • The VTSU Health Form should be used for your physical exam and immunization documentation.
  • If you are not Basic Life Support (BLS) certified, you do need to obtain BLS certification from the American Heart Association or the Red Cross before starting your preceptorship hours. 

Questions? Please contact the nursing department at Nursing@VermontState.edu.

• Please follow the link for Nursing (AS) Next Steps.

• Please follow the link for Practical Nursing Next Steps.

• Please follow the link for Paramedicine Next Steps. 

• Arrange for a short interview with Robin Guillian, Professional Pilot Technology Program Director. Please email Robin.Guillian@VermontState.edu to schedule. Students will receive a checklist of required items after this interview. 
• A background check and fingerprinting are required for students to receive their Security Identification Display Area badge (SIDA) for flying out of the Burlington International Airport. Vermont Flight Academy is responsible for assisting students with this. You’ll receive details at Orientation. 
• Prior to the first day of classes, students must obtain and submit a clear, unrestricted, First- or Second-Class FAA Medical Certificate (First-class highly recommended) issued by an FAA-certified Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Locating and scheduling an FAA Physical may be time consuming. Applicants should strive to complete this by June 1; it must be completed three (3) weeks prior to the first day of classes. 
• Review Flight Fees and pilot supply requirements at VermontState.edu/Pilot-Fees. Please note: These fees are in addition to program tuition and must be paid prior to the first day of classes. 

• Transportation: Students are expected to have reliable transportation for clinical rotations at various clinical sites. 
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification: Students must obtain BLS certification from the American Heart Association or the Red Cross before classes begin. (Other CPR certifications will be reviewed; contact the Program Director.)
• New Student Orientation: A mandatory one-day orientation will be held approximately two weeks before classes start in August.
• Health Form Submissions: Students must submit two health forms – one for Vermont State University and another specific to Clinical Education courses and clinical site rotations. 
• CastleBranch Requirements:
  • Students must purchase a background check and document management package through CastleBranch. (Radiological Science package code: VD76.)
  • All CastleBranch requirements must be completed by July 1. Failure to upload all of your documentation to CastleBranch will result in program dismissal. 
  • Required documents include:
    • Immunization records
    • Proof of insurance
    • Signed acknowledgment of the Student Handbook (pay particular attention to the dress code and attendance policies) 
    • Signed Student Essential Functions form
    • Health form specific to clinical education and clinical site rotations
• Program Expectations: The Radiological Science program is a great professional career; however, you must first tackle what will be a busy education venture. While we are here to help you be successful, we expect you will take responsibility for and commit to your role as a student Radiologic Technologist. This is not a role to be taken lightly. There are very important requirements with due dates to help onboard and prepare your educational experience. If you have any questions, please email Roger Weeden, Program Director at Roger.Weeden@VermontState.edu.

• Contact the Respiratory Therapy Program Director regarding the mandatory Program Information Session in Williston. Please email Respiratory.Therapy@VermontState.edu for the date(s) this in-person information session will occur. Students will receive a checklist of required items.
• Create a Castlebranch.com account (using program code: VE34). Complete the background check and VTSU student health form and mandatory immunizations/screening. Begin this process as soon as possible. It must be completed by August 1.
• We recommend you shadow a respiratory therapist at one of the following hospitals below if you have not done so already. Please contact Respiratory.Therapy@VermontState.edu for more information on how to shadow at one of these sites.
  • Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
  • University of Vermont Medical Center
  • Champlain Valley Physician’s Hospital, or
  • Rutland Regional Medical Center
• You will need a computer and high-speed internet access. More information regarding VTSU’s Computer Tech Requirement for the 2025-26 academic year will be available in the spring.

• Receive vaccinations required for the Veterinary Technology, A.A.S. program; these are in addition to the vaccinations required for all VTSU students: 
  • Tetanus vaccine 
  • Rabies Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) vaccine: This is a two-dose vaccination series. Students must submit proof of vaccination and must have received the second dose at least 30 days before the start of classes.  
• Complete required observation experience in a veterinary clinic prior to enrollment. An Observation Experience form will appear as a checklist item on your Application Status Page. Students are asked to complete this by June 30.
• Purchase required items; available from farm/feed stores or online: 
  • Stethoscope: Flathead or dual-head are fine. Students do not need an expensive stethoscope.
  • Rubber boots, minimum 10″ high, pullover type, and no laces. Boots can be any color.
  • Blue long-sleeve coveralls.
  • White lab coat. Long sleeves, long length (thigh/knee), not waist/hip length.
  • Digital thermometer.
  • Name tag for coveralls, lab coat (one removable tag is sufficient).
  • Wristwatch with a second hand or digital readout for taking vital signs.
  • Scrub top for first-year labs.

A Registration Questionnaire will appear as a checklist item on your Application Status Page in December for Spring enrollment, in May for fall enrollment, and on a rolling basis for all other start terms. Your Registration Questionnaire will ensure all of your admissions information is correct and help inform your course registration. Completion of it will tell us that you want to be registered!

Vermont State 101 is a required online orientation program that will inform you about academic life and university resources and help you understand keys to your success as a new Vermont State student. Access Vermont State 101 by selecting “Student Login” and entering your Vermont State Portal username and password. Vermont State 101 is required to be completed before the start of your classes.

Many undergraduate students will be asked to complete a math assessment to help your success advisor guide you toward a math class that is right for you. The assessment will appear as an enrollment checklist item on your Application Status Page if this is a requirement for you. See further information on the math assessment. Students who are transferring in college-level mathematics will not be asked to complete math assessment.

Together with a University expert, your Student Success Advisor, you will finalize your class schedule.

First-year students, and students transferring in fewer than 30 credits, will be registered for most or all classes prior to the advising conversation. Together, you and your Student Success Advisor will then discuss your class preferences, interests, goals, and make adjustments to finalize your schedule as needed. 

Early College, VAST, and students transferring in 30 or more credits will complete class registration during the meeting with their Student Success Advisor.

You will also be assigned a faculty advisor, who you will be connected with when the semester starts. Both your faculty advisor and your student success advisor will help you navigate your Vermont State educational path.

Vermont State Days are summer events designed specifically for new incoming students who are starting with VTSU in the fall (August). These one day, in-person events are available at each of our primary campuses, as well as an online option. These highly encouraged, yet optional, summer events are designed for you to connect, get comfortable, and have fun! Family programming will also be available. Join us at your future campus or online. Emailed invitations to register will come from admissions based on your intended campus.

In the days prior to the start of classes, all new students (first-year and transfer, whether living on campus or commuting) who are studying at Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, Randolph, or Williston campuses attend Vermont State Kick-Off at their primary campus. This fun and informative orientation helps you settle in, connect with your campus community, and start the semester with confidence. You’ll explore campus resources, meet faculty, staff, and fellow students, and prepare for a successful transition to college life. After registering for classes and as your entry term approaches, you’ll use your university Portal login to access Kick-Off details, create your Handshake account, view event information, and register to attend! 

Welcome week is a series of in-person and online activities during the first week of classes, so you know we are here, happy to help, and excited to support you on your new adventure at Vermont State.