Graduate Certificate in College Teaching

The Graduate School at Michigan State University, in partnership with the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, offers a graduate certificate in college teaching.  The certificate is designed to provide advanced study and reflection on post-secondary teaching. To this end, students engage in a series of educational experiences guided by a faculty mentor.

Experiences include:

  1. Notification of Intent to Pursue CCT Form: Form stating intent to pursue the CCT and naming the faculty mentor 
    Download Form
  2. Course Work: One for-credit course on university teaching. CCAS does not have a specific course requirement; rather you can choose from among the following set of courses.
  3. Core Competencies: Three topical workshops offered by the Graduate School and chosen from among these areas
    • Developing Disciplinary Teaching Strategies
    • Creating Effective Learning Environments
    • Incorporating Technology in Your Teaching
    • Understanding the University Context
    • Assessing Student Learning
  4. Mentored Teaching Experience: A formal study assessing the efficacy of a teaching approach.
    Learn More

  5. Teaching Philosophy Statement: A two page statement of teaching philosophy as a result of taking the CCT
    Learn More

You will create a teaching portfolio consisting of description of and reflection on each of these experiences. The teaching portfolio will help you prepare for academic job interviews and plan for your professional development as an early career faculty member.

Upon completion of the program, you will receive an MSU Certificate in College Teaching and the accomplishment is noted on the transcript.

Requirements

CCAS follows the Graduate School requirements and has no special requirements of its own.

Submission of materials is as follows:

  1. Submit the Notification of Intent to Pursue CCT form, complete with all signatures, to the CCAS Graduate Secretary upon initiation of the CCT experience.Download form
  2. Upon completion of all requirements submit your complete portfolio electronically. Submit your Portfolio

Further Information

Detailed information about the certificate program can be found at the Graduate School website

General inquiries may be directed to Deanne Hubbell

Inquiries specific to the College of Communication Arts & Science may be directed to Esther Thorson, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies