Program Overview

Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Graduate Certificate

The graduate certificate program in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education offers a unique opportunity for students interested in teaching in higher education to gain knowledge about teaching and learning, both generally and within their discipline. Prospective teachers venturing into today's higher education environment would benefit from an understanding of teaching and learning theory, research, and effective practice.

Overview

Successful instructors require many tools to teach, as well as the wisdom to know when and how to apply those tools. This wisdom comes from a critical, reflective understanding of the research and theory behind teaching and learning. The 15-credit certificate program is multi-disciplinary, drawing upon current coursework in Communication, the School of Education, and other disciplines that have teaching and learning courses in place.

Admission Requirements

• Application deadlines vary by program.
• Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree prior to admission, and must have a minimum 2.75 cumulative undergraduate grade point average.
• Applicants with a graduate degree must have a minimum 3.00 graduate grade point average.
• Applicants must also complete the reason statement in the application.
• Admission to a graduate certificate program requires formal student application through the Graduate School admissions application system, including the required admissions application fee.

Credits and Courses

• Core: Select two of the following courses (6 credits)
  • AD LDSP 757: Principles and Foundations of Adult Education
  • AD LDSP 687: Instructional Design and Teaching Strategies
  • AD LDSP 900: Role of the Professoriate
  • CURRINS 774: College Teaching
• Practicum:
  • AD LDSP 750: Internship in Administrative Leadership (3 credits)
  • or COMMUN 998: Communication Internship
• Electives: Select 6 credits from Teaching and Learning (General) and/or Teaching and Learning (Discipline Specific)
  • Teaching and Learning (General):
    • AD LDSP 587: Serving Multicultural and Special Needs Learners
    • AD LDSP 707: Using Technology With Adult Learners
    • AD LDSP 737: Distance Education for Adults
    • AD LDSP 827: Seminar in Adult and Organizational Learning
    • COMMUN 837: Instructional Communication in the College Classroom
    • ED PSY 631: Cognition: Learning, Problem Solving and Thinking
    • Any core course not taken as a required core course
  • Teaching and Learning (Discipline Specific): Examples of such courses include:
    • ENGLISH 701: Writing Pedagogies
    • ENGLISH 706: Seminar in Professional Writing Theory and Pedagogy
    • WLC 700: Language Teaching Methods
    • NURS 705: Instructional Strategies for Patient Education
    • HIST 716: Professional and Pedagogical Issues in History
    • BMS/HCA 909: Guided Teaching Experience in Health Sciences
    • OCCTHPY 900: Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership in the Health Sciences
    • PHYSICS 610: The Art and Science of Teaching Physics
    • NURS 752: Curriculum Development in Nursing Education
    • NURS 751: Teaching in Practice Disciplines
    • NURS 731: Practicum and Seminar in Health Professional Education
• Total Credits: 15

Additional Requirements

• Transfer Credit: No more than 20% of the required credits may be taken at an institution other than UWM.
• Grade Point Average Requirement: A minimum cumulative 3.00 grade point average in certificate courses taken at UWM is required.
• Articulation with Degree Programs: Credits and courses required for a certificate may double count toward meeting UWM graduate degree requirements.
• Time Limit: Certificate program time limits shall be established as follows:
  • 18 or fewer credits: Three years from initial enrollment in the certificate sequence.
  • 19 or more credits: Four years from initial enrollment in the certificate sequence.