University Teaching (Grad.Cert.)
Graduate Certificate (Grad. Cert.)
Offered by:School of Graduate Studies
Why pursue a Graduate Certificate in University Teaching?
Gain a comprehensive understanding of pedagogical approaches in post-secondary education. Develop critical skills in student learning assessment, student diversity in development and learning, and reflective practice that will inform your instructional methods.
The Graduate Certificate in University Teaching provides an opportunity for you to plan and deliver a university course in your area of specialization. Under the mentorship of Vivek Venkatesh (Associate professor in the Department of Education) working with Robert Cassidy (Directory of the Centre for Teaching and Learning) and in partnership with the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), you will create a portfolio that prepares you for employment applications at higher education institutions. Portfolios include a teaching statement, student evaluations and strategies to improve your course content.
Benefit from an apprenticeship model that connects you with teaching fellows from Concordia’s four faculties, as well as teaching and learning consultants. Students in our program meet with their mentors and the graduate program director on a regular basis in order to receive timely feedback and criticism. You are also strongly encouraged to have staff members at the CTL observe your classes so they can offer advice on how to sharpen your teaching practices.
Open to MFA students, doctoral candidates and post-doctoral fellows currently enrolled at Concordia, our program offers a significant advantage for individuals interested in applying for tenure-track positions. Course work and materials engage with both classic and contemporary theories of learning and instructional design, while offering advanced training in teaching strategies, course design and technology in the classroom.
Program Details
Admission Requirements
Applicants must be students completing either a Doctor of/Doctorate in Philosophy degree or a Master of/Magisteriate in Fine Arts (Studio Arts) degree at Concordia University with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a scale of 4.30. Normally applicants have obtained candidacy in their respective degree programs. Applicants may also be registered Post-Doctoral Fellows at Concordia University with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a scale of 4.30, or equivalent in their last completed degree.
Applicants are required to submit a letter of support from the chair of the department. Applicants must have already completed one teaching assistantship and have identified a faculty member from their discipline to act as a teaching mentor. Candidates are also required to submit a 500- to 750-word statement of their teaching philosophy, teaching experiences and a brief description of the course that they wish to teach as part of the internship requirement.
Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the Graduate Admission page for further information on the Language Proficiency requirements and exemptions.
Credits. A fully qualified candidate is required to complete a minimum of 15 credits:
- Two core courses (ETEC 613 and UNIT 601) (6 credits);
- Design and development of a university course (UNIT 602) (3 credits); and
- Internship in University Teaching (UNIT 603) (6 credits).
- Documents that confirm your status as an MFA student, doctoral candidate or post-doctoral fellow at Concordia;
- Evidence that you are in good standing and on track for a timely completion of your program;
- Written letter of support by your supervisor;
- Proof that you have completed the Graduate Seminar in University Teaching and one teaching-assistantship;
- Letter of support from your teaching mentor;
- Letter of support from the Chair of the department in which the teaching internship will be completed;
- Teaching philosophy statement (500 to 750 words) should outline your teaching philosophy, teaching experiences and a brief description of the course that you wish to teach as part of the internship requirement.
Please apply online. Consult the handbook for more information.
| DEGREE |
FALL (September) |
WINTER (January) |
SUMMER (May/June) |
| University Teaching | Certificate | August 1 | December 1 | April 1 |
Core courses:
- Learning Theories
- Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
- Development of a University Course
- Internship in University Teaching
Consult the graduate calendar for complete details of the current courses.
- Teaching assistantships, valued at approximately $5,000, are available and awarded on a competitive basis. Conference travel funding is also available for students who present their work at academic conferences.
- All students are paid for teaching a three-credit reserve course. Compensation rates are based on the CUFA Collective Agreement.
Faculty research interests include:
- interdisciplinary teaching
- integration of computer technologies in higher education
- cognition
- scholarship of teaching and learning
Our alumni are highly sought after by universities, CEGEPs, colleges, non-profit organizations, continuing education centres, professional associations and education publishing companies. Recent graduates have worked as instructors, program co-ordinators, curriculum developers, student support specialists, consultants, content experts, researchers and academic directors.
Examples of companies and institutions our alumni have gone on to work for include:
- Calgary Immigrant Educational Society
- Certified General Accountants Association of Canada
- Champlain College
- Columbia College
- Consejo Nacional de Acreditación de Informática y Computación
- DeVry University
- John Abbott College
- Laurentian University
- Pearson North America
- University of Liverpool
- Walden University
Read about alumni experiences in the program and how this led to a professional career.
