College Teaching Development Program
The College Teaching Development Program is open to all Purdue West Lafayette faculty/graduate students/postdocs/staff, Purdue Polytechnic Statewide, and Purdue Global faculty/instructors/staff. We define teaching broadly (classes, mentoring, advising, etc.), and have designed these programs to meet varied goals. The program consists of two certificates:
- The Certificate of Foundations in College Teaching
- The Certificate of Practice in College Teaching
The two certificates are both standalone and can be completed in any order. The Practice Certificate can also be completed multiple times with different emphases. Below are descriptions, as well as the requirements to complete each certificate
Certificate of Foundations in College Teaching
The Foundations Certificate provides an overview of evidence-based teaching practices and strategies. This program is an asynchronous online program. Participants are expected to engage with peers through asynchronous online activities as they explore central topics in college teaching. Participants will also reflect on concepts, experiences, and applications at the end of each topic. Core topics include:
- Making Learning Accessible
- Assessing Student Learning
- Creating a Learner-Centered Environment
- Applying the Science of Teaching and Learning
The four-week Fall 2023 Certificate of Foundations in College Teaching Program runs Monday, Oct 16, through Friday, Nov 10. There will be no synchronous meetings, but participants will be expected to engage with and respond to others on discussion boards and submit weekly reflections. You should plan to devote approximately three hours during each week of the program.
We are able to accept the first 80 registrants. We will have a waitlist once we reach that capacity. If you’re unsure whether you’ll have availability to participate fully in the program, please defer to a semester you’re able to participate; we offer this program each semester (fall/spring/summer).
Capacity has been reached for the Fall 2023 Certificate of Foundations in College Teaching Program. We will open registration for Spring in January 2024, so please check back at that time.
Certificate of Practice in College Teaching
The Certificate of Practice is an inquiry-based, semester-long program that requires participants have a teaching role, broadly defined, during the semester or summer term in which they complete the certificate. Participants identify a challenge/opportunity that they will address that semester using evidence-based practices, in consultation with an appropriate mentor of their choosing.
Participants may complete the Certificate of Practice multiple times over different semesters, as long as they have a teaching role during that semester. Each time a participant completes the certificate, they must choose a different area of emphasis. Participants are encouraged to choose topics relevant to their specific teaching role; this can involve new mentoring practices in advising, a lab, or office hours; designing new assessments or learning activities; or enhancing a series of professional development workshops for colleagues.
The following are some examples of potential emphases: engagement, student motivation, assessment, diversity and inclusion, mentoring students, etc.
Requirements of the Certificate of Practice
- Please submit a proposal (using the template provided below) by Week 2 of the current semester, which is January 22nd, 2024.
- Read and summarize several scholarly articles related to your topic/project.
- Meet with a mentor at least three times during the semester to discuss your topic.
- Apply what you have learned to your teaching.
- Complete a guided reflection (using the provided template in Brightspace) on your experience addressing your challenge/opportunity this semester.
Certificate of Practice Proposal Form (Download and fill out the form)
Submit your proposal by Week 2 of the current semester which is January 22nd, 2024, to: teachercertificate@purdue.edu.