The Consortium Certificate in College Teaching represents a collaborative institutional response to the ever-present challenges of promoting exemplary teaching in today's complex higher education environments. Most college professors have not had the benefit of formal training as teachers. Preparation for the college classroom involves more than a solid base of knowledge in a discipline; it requires a systematic inquiry into the pedagogies and processes that facilitate learning. Our certificate program is grounded in the latest educational research of best practices in college teaching, and is designed to enhance the teaching and learning experiences for faculty and students at our member institutions. The program is made possible in part by a generous gift from the George I. Alden Trust.
The primary focus of the Certificate is to prepare graduate students, adjunct and full-time faculty who aspire to, or who are currently engaged in, a career in academia. Research has shown that graduate students with some formal preparation in college teaching have a substantial advantage in the academic job market. Once hired, the new faculty members are better prepared to assume their teaching duties and are, consequently, more productive in developing their research programs. Similarly, more experienced college faculty can also benefit from such teaching certificate programs, as they may be very well prepared in their disciplines, but desire formal training in the pedagogy of teaching.
NOTE: See the feature article describing the CCT program in the May 2007 issue of The Teaching Professor.
All certificate courses carry graduate credit granted through Clark University. Students who wish to register for Certificate courses should consult procedures for students. Faculty interested in teaching in the certificate program and/or proposing courses to be included in the program should consult procedures for faculty.
Students, faculty and staff from Consortium member institutions pay a reduced tuition rate of $290/credit in 2008. Tuition for non-Consortium participants is $435/credit in 2008. Limited financial aid funds may be requested by individuals who are affiliated with Consortium member institutions. Contact Susan Wyckoff for more information (swyckoff@cowc.org) or see procedures for students for details.
“Thank you. This is the first time I've taken a class [Seminar in College Teaching] in which every single particle – what’s analyzed, the analysis itself, what I‘m reading, the discussions in class, the topics presented, the way they are approached – has such specific, important and immediately applicable significance for me. As far as significant learning goes, this is the tops!”
- Yvonne Conybeare, Instructor, Theatre Arts, Clark University"The Seminar in College Teaching course is just what I needed to learn the techniques and skills involved in college teaching. With this on my resume, I was able to land my first teaching job for the fall semester. The department head who interviewed me said she was confident about giving me a chance because I participated in this course. I also am confident and excited about putting my new skills into action.
-Rosa Croughwell, Middlesex Community College"I found the Seminar class to be extremely beneficial in providing me with the opportunity to develop a crisp set of skills to pursue a career in higher education. There was a direct link between the skills I developed in this class and the career opportunities at the college level. Last fall I accepted a faculty position at an area college."
- Craig Brown, Instructor of Computer Science"The Seminar left a strong impression on me as an excellent opportunity to learn about teaching and learning and then to apply theory to practices. This high level of preparation made a significant difference in the quality of my teaching and helped me encourage creativity and focus the instruction I provide. The Seminar was the best possible preparation I could have asked for!"
- Douglas H. Borden III, Instructor, Quality Systems Management Master's Degree Program, The National Graduate School, and former Physics Instructor, U.S. Coast Guard Academy
"I enrolled in the certificate program to increase my professional skills. The certificate courses helped me clarify my personal teaching philosophy and gave me an opportunity to devise practical tools to apply in the classroom setting. The capstone Practicum course was invaluable in providing me with an opportunity for collaborative feedback from colleagues in diverse disciplines. I recently completed the Certificate in College Teaching Program with a well-developed, professional teaching portfolio!"
- Jessica L. Willis, Women's Studies Ph.D. Program, Clark University"After 20 years in business and industry, I was hired as an adjunct faculty member to teach writing. I knew my subject matter well, but needed to learn teaching strategies, theories of learning styles, and techniques for student-centered instruction - and the Certificate program was an ideal choice for me! I learned how to design assignments and learning assessments that actually make teaching easier. I also have a professional portfolio of my work and a well-honed teaching philosophy that will serve me as I broaden my teaching prospects. I highly recommend this program to every adjunct faculty member who has ever felt at a loss for where to turn for help, in anything from legal issues in the classroom - to promoting classroom discussion - to knowing how to grade. It will be time very well spent!"
- Linda Grochowalski, Adjunct Professor, Humanities, Quinsigamond Community College