The Institute for Learning and Teaching

Graduate Teaching Certificates Program

The Institute's Graduate Teaching Certificates program offers graduate students an opportunity to learn about, reflect on, and practice teaching at the post-secondary level. The program is flexible, allowing graduate students to focus on areas of teaching that most interest them and best meet their professional needs. In collaboration with the Graduate School and Computer Training and Support Services, the Institute offers four Teaching Certificates:

• The Certificate in College Teaching
• The Certificate in Service-Learning
• The Certificate in Teaching With Technology
• The Certificate in Learning Management Systems

To enroll in the program, please complete the Enrollment Form.

Why Earn a Graduate Teaching Certificate?

If you are among the 70% of graduate students who plan to teach at a college or university after earning a degree, the Graduate Teaching Certificates program is a good option for you. The Certificate programs:

• Are flexible, allowing you to complete the requirements within one year.
• Allow you to participate in a community of faculty, staff, and students who are dedicated to excellence in teaching.
• Offer a self-directed course of study, so you can focus on the aspects of teaching that most interest you. Whether you want fundamental knowledge about post-secondary teaching, or want to gain expertise in specific areas, the Graduate Teaching Certificates program allows you to create a relevant and meaningful course of study.
• Provide you with important credentials. In an increasingly competitive academic job market, potential employers want evidence of both scholarly achievements and teaching ability. Teaching Certificates can significantly enhance your professional prospects.
• Offer you opportunities for experiential, hands-on learning through its internship, tutoring, and teaching options.
• Result in a Teaching ePortfolio, which illustrates your teaching expertise. The ePortfolio is both a comprehensive collection of pedagogical knowledge and a valuable tool in academic job searches.

About the Graduate Teaching Certificates

Whether you are new to teaching or are a seasoned instructor, the Graduate Teaching Certificates program is designed to meet your needs. Through our program, you will work with dedicated faculty and staff who are recognized as outstanding teachers. In the program, you will learn to:

• Determine appropriate goals for student learning outcomes.
• Understand and work effectively with diverse student populations.
• Design courses, including selecting and sequencing course materials, and developing course assignments.
• Employ evaluative procedures which validly assess student learning.
• Use innovative pedagogical approaches, such as teaching with technology, optimizing available Learning Management Systems, practicing sustainable service-learning strategies, and so on.
• Reflect on and revise your pedagogical practices throughout your teaching career.

Because teaching is a complex art, the Graduate Teaching Certificates program offers you the opportunity to participate in a combination of experiences, such as courses on pedagogical theory and practice; workshops on specific pedagogical issues; experiential learning through internships, teaching and tutoring; course design; and a host of other professional development activities. Moreover, working with the members of the Teaching Certificate Review Board, you can tailor your Certificate program according to your needs, interest, and schedule.