Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in University Teaching
The Interdisciplinary Certificate in University Teaching prepares graduate students for future positions in higher education through development of their pedagogical knowledge and skills. The program is available to all colleges and schools and facilitated by the Mary Frances Early College of Education.
Highlights
- Open to all graduate students at UGA
- Add valuable expertise to your resume
- Build cross-disciplinary knowledge
Curriculum
2-4 Sections of Instruction at UGA
Provide instruction in at least two and up to four sections of teaching at the University of Georgia as instructor of record, or as discussion or laboratory teaching assistant with significant responsibilities.
Coursework
Courses taken to satisfy the certificate requirements cannot count toward the degree requirements unless previously approved in writing by the student’s advisory committee, respective graduate coordinator, and the certificate director.
Launching Course
All candidates for the certificate would take the GRSC 7200 course, which will serve as the launching course for the certificate. Students will explore the science of teaching and learning in collegiate classrooms. Instructional foundations of teaching in the academy will be examined, along with core tenets of creating quality learning environments and supporting diverse learning spaces. This course will also be the place in the program where the candidates are introduced to the development of the teaching portfolio.
Course objectives for GRSC 7200 include:
- Describe teaching strategies that are consistent with how people learn
- Implement backward course design, demonstrating alignment across learning objectives, assessments, and activities
- Locate and adopt teaching-related institutional standards and policies
- Identify strategies and resources for addressing challenging, teaching-related situations
- Adopt teaching practices that support diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
Core topics to be explored in the course include:
- Learning theories
- Universal Design for Learning
- Backward course design including writing learning objectives; assessment of and for learning; and learning activities
- Challenging situations and teaching-related institutional standards and policies including grade appeals, academic honesty, and mandatory reporting
Capstone
All candidates for the certificate would take the GRSC 7950 course, which will serve as the capstone course for the certificate. The development of a teaching portfolio will be the primary artifact completed during this course.
All candidates for the certificate also would take 2-3 elective courses, which will serve to enhance the candidate’s preparation and assist with a deeper understanding of some of the components of the capstone course. At least one elective course must be a domain-specific course for the candidate’s discipline (e.g., life sciences, physical sciences, humanities, arts, social sciences, fine arts, etc.) and address an aspect of university teaching. At least one elective will enhance the candidate’s understanding of a specific aspect of university teaching and could include topics such as assessment, student/adult learning, inclusive excellence, special populations, specific instructional or cognitive strategies, instructional technology, and teaching in unique spaces (e.g., service learning, study away).
How to Apply
There is no application deadline. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Consult program coordinator Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett for more information.