Certificate Program in University Teaching & Learning for Graduate Students

Contact

Program Coordinator

Andrea Hankinson
andrea@sfu.ca
778.782.6570

Program Director & Instructor

Vivian Neal
vneal@sfu.ca
778.782.7466

Are you intending to apply for a teaching position? Reflecting on your teaching, improving your skills, and developing your practice may give you an advantage. SFU's Teaching and Learning Centre, in collaboration with the Dean of Graduate Studies Office, has developed this four-month, 120-hour, Senate-approved non-credit Certificate for SFU graduate students who expect to be employed in post-secondary institutions.

 

The Certificate Program is now offered twice a year, running once per Fall and Spring terms. A certificate is issued to participants upon successful completion of the program.

The Call for Applications for the January 2012 program is now closed. There is a nominal materials fee of $100 for the program, due upon acceptance.

Application Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Applications for the Fall 2012 program will begin shortly, with an application deadline of Monday, June 4, 2012.

 

 

Program Goals

The program aims to:

  1. Provide participants with the knowledge, skills, positive attitude, and confidence to promote learning in their students;
  2. Integrate learning and instructional theory with an individual's knowledge of their subject, emphasizing a scholarly approach to teaching, and
  3. Prepare program graduates to provide educational leadership in their academic endeavours.

 

Admission Criteria

 

Participants are chosen from a broad range of backgrounds, representative of Simon Fraser University's teaching community. All current SFU graduate students are encouraged to apply, although preference will be given to students in doctoral programs. Space is limited. The following selection criteria will be applied:

  • member of the SFU teaching community;
  • quality of application and letter of intent;
  • commitment to teaching and learning at SFU;
  • relevant previous activities and experience;
  • range of departments represented; and
  • gender balance.

 

Requisite

 

Instructional skills workshop (ISW)
The Instructional skills workshop is a 3-day, 24-hour foundational workshop. You must complete the Instructional skills workshop in order to receive credit for completing the Certificate.

 

Schedule

 

Sessions will be held every week for thirteen weeks, culminating with a graduation celebration. All required sessions will be offered at SFU Burnaby.

Here is a provisional list of sessions within the program:

  • Orientation and introduction to teaching and learning
  • Managing your academic roles
  • Assessing student learning
  • Supporting diversity & inclusion
  • Developing your presentation skills I and II
  • Round table with exemplary teachers
  • Giving effective feedback to students
  • Designing your course I and II
  • Capstone: Developing your teaching practice
  • Self-directed learning project presentations
  • Special topics: By participants' requests

 *Note: Attendance is required at all the sessions.

 

Assignments

 

There are three types of assignments in this program.

  • small assignments as part of each session in the program;
  • self-directed learning project and a related presentation; and
  • teaching philosophy statement, revised over the course of the program, and teaching portfolio framework.