Professional Utility Vegetation Management Program

This program is a pathway for career development and advancement. The Utility Vegetation Management certificate program is designed for individuals working within the utility and arboricultural industries who wish to develop and enhance their knowledge and skills related to developing and implementing UVM programs.

If you answer “yes,” to any of the following questions, then this program is right for you:

• Are you looking for a program designed and facilitated by industry experts?
• Are you looking to advance your career?
• Do you want to develop and enhance your knowledge and skills related to creating, communicating, implementing, and managing UVM programs?
• Are you interested in a program created specifically for working professionals in the utility and arboricultural industries?
• Do you need flexibility to complete your coursework when it works best for you, your work, and your family?

UVM courses are delivered 100% online on Canvas, an online learning platform. The tasks involve a combination of readings, discussions, and projects.

There are no set meeting times and work can be completed asynchronously, so you can create your own schedule. There are deadlines but it’s up to you to decide when and where to complete the work. Many students make arrangements with their employer to complete coursework during the work day.

Click on the schedules below to open a larger version in a new tab.

Foundations of UVM Certificate

Advanced UVM Certificate

To ensure the best experience for all participants, we require a minimum number of enrollments for each workshop to proceed. If the minimum enrollment is not met, the workshop may be rescheduled or canceled.

The amount of time spent on coursework varies from person to person. In general, we give the following estimates for course time:

• Foundations of UVM courses: ~8-10 hours per week
• Professional UVM courses: ~10-15 hours per week
• Capstone credentialing prep course: ~15-20 hours per week

No; however, courses must be taken sequentially. UVM 1: North American Electrical Systems is open to anyone and no previous degree is required.

The program is a college-level training program designed for those motivated individuals seeking management and/or leadership positions. The courses are reading and writing intensive, so decent writing skills and excellent time-management are important. We have found that people are most successful if they have been in the utility or arboriculture industries for a few years.

Each course is graded on an A to F scale using detailed rubrics that are readily available to students. Individuals who obtain at least a “C” average (70%) in each course will be awarded a course certificate of completion from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

To earn the Foundations of UVM or UVM Professional Certificate, an average of 75% or higher must be obtained across all associated courses.

Grades are earned based on the following scale:

92.5 – 100% = A

90 – 92.4% = A-

87.5 – 89.9% = B+

82.5 – 87.4% = B

80 – 82.4% = B-

77.5 – 79.9% = C+

72.5 – 77.4% = C

70 – 72.4% = C-

Yes! Participants can earn International Society of Arboriculture Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for Utility Specialist, ISA Certified Arborist, Municipal Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, and Climber Specialist.

• UVM 1: North American Electrical Systems- 50 CEUs
• UVM 2: Utility Arboriculture – 50 CEUs
• UVM 3: Leadership and Organizations – 40 CEUs
• UVM 4: Program and Project Management – 50 CEUs
• UVM 5: Integrated Vegetation Management – 30 CEUs
• UVM 6: Compliance and Stakeholder Management – 100 CEUs
• UVM 7: Scope, Cost, and Procurement Management – 100 CEUs
• UVM 8: Safety, Cost, and Procurement Management – 100 CEUs

Please be certain to include your ISA Certification number at registration. UW-Stevens Point will submit CEUs directly to ISA after successful completion of coursework.

For more information about ISA CEUs, contact uvm@uwsp.edu.

Unfortunately, no. Although the content may prove to be helpful in certain circumstances, these are not certification prep courses. They are designed as part of the Pro-UVM credentialing program and must be taken in sequence.

For example, if a student is studying to take ISA’s Utility Arborist Specialist exam, they must successfully complete UVM 1: North American Electrical Systems before they will be allowed to enroll in UVM 2: Utility Arboriculture.

There are required and optional textbooks and resources for UVM courses; however, many are used throughout the entire program and only need to be purchased once.

View the Foundations of UVM Certificate Book List.

View the Advanced UVM Certificate Book List.

Students only need to pay for one course at a time. If paying the full amount is difficult, we do offer payment plans that involve paying in 2-3 installments, depending on the length of the course.

Yes! The Utility Arborist Association (UAA) in cooperation with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) is proud to offer full-tuition scholarships for the Utility Vegetation Management Certificate Program. These scholarships, which cover tuition for all UVM courses, are available to residents of California and its bordering states.

To learn more about the scholarship program and for information on how to apply, visit the UAA Scholarship Page. Questions regarding the scholarship and eligibility can be directed to info@uvmscholarships.org.

Unfortunately, no. This is a certificate program that was developed by the Utility Arborist Association (UAA) and the Utility Vegetation Management Association (UVMA) and is being offered in collaboration with UW-Stevens Point. Students receive a certificate that is industry recognized, but the certificate program is non-credit bearing and individuals register and pay for courses independently, not through tuition.

Veterans may consider taking advantage of our payment option, which provides an opportunity to pay in installments, rather than all at once. Reach out with additional questions to uvm@uwsp.edu.

Written requests received prior to the course start date will be granted a full refund. Requests received within the first week of class will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be granted to requests received after the first week of classes. To receive a refund, send a request to uvm@uwsp.edu.