Structure of the Program

The Certificate in College Teaching is a 6-credit program consisting of the following selections. (Courses can be taken individually, or as part of a six-credit program leading to a Certificate in College Teaching.)  All courses carry graduate credit through Worcester State University.

• Seminar in College Teaching is a foundational course (2 credits) designed to acquaint participants with basic principles and theories of education and with instructional practices associated with effective college teaching. Course activities include readings, lectures, discussion and individual and group projects. Topics covered include an introduction to learning theories, cognitive development and motivation for learning; effective teaching skills such as lecturing, class discussion, active and cooperative learning, and use of instructional technology; evaluating student performance; and life as a college professor. (The Seminar course serves as a prerequisite for other Certificate courses.) The Seminar is also available as an online course during some semesters.
• 3 teaching methods electives (1 credit each, 3 credits total) representing a variety of teaching strategies and methodologies, such as:
  • Developing and Teaching an Online Course
  • Designing Assignments & Activities to Promote Learning
  • Introduction to Educational Research
  • Learner-Centered Assessment
  • Legal Issues in College Teaching
  • Mentoring Undergraduate Research
  • Teaching and Learning in a Diverse Classroom
  • Teaching in a Discipline: e.g. Psychology, Engineering, Humanities, Foreign Languages
  • Teaching with Cases
  • Teaching with Discussion
  • Teaching with Technology
  • Teaching with Writing
  • Teaching in the Sciences

  Note: The Seminar in College Teaching is a prerequisite for most methods courses.

• Practicum in College Teaching - a 1-credit capstone course culminating in a comprehensive teaching portfolio. (Acceptance into the certificate program and completion of the 5 credits of courses outlined above are required before taking the Practicum.)

  Note: Practicum proposals must be submitted no later than October 1 for a spring practicum and April 1 for a fall practicum.

  • Practicum Syllabus
  • Practicum Application Form

Many Certificate courses are offered in a hybrid face-to-face and asynchronous format.

The information, syllabi and program/course descriptions on the Colleges of Worcester Consortium Certificate in College Teaching site are proprietary and intended for the use of current students, faculty and staff as well as prospective students of the program. Any other use without written permission is an infringement of copyright laws. Requests may be made to Program Director Susan Wyckoff at swyckoff [at] cowc [dot] org.