Program Overview

Academic Staff Certificate in University Teaching and Learning

Program Overview

The Academic Staff Certificate in University Teaching and Learning provides opportunities to develop research-informed and scholarly teaching expertise, reflect on practice, and build a teaching dossier. Inspired by Kenny et al.’s (2017) Teaching Expertise Framework in Postsecondary Education, the certificate courses recognize that university teaching is complex and multi-faceted, and that teaching expertise is developed through an ongoing learning process that continues over time.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Educational Developers’ Caucus of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

Eligibility

This certificate is designed for current University of Calgary professors, instructors, lecturers, and other academic staff at different stages of career development. It is not intended for graduate students or postdoctoral scholars.

Program Requirements

To complete the certificate, participants must take any two of the offered courses. Participants can take only one course per term.

Duration and Time Commitment

The program duration is approximately 68 hours or 9-12 months, with a flexible schedule. Each course requires a time commitment of 34-36 hours.

Program Format

The program is delivered in a blended format, combining both online and in-person learning.

Program Courses

• Teaching & Learning Practices
• Theories & Assessments
• Inquiry & Scholarship in Teaching Learning
• Educational Leadership & Mentorship
• Blended & Online Learning

Course Descriptions

Practices, Theories & Assessments

Explore teaching and learning practices, theories, and assessments as they relate to your teaching context and priorities.

Inquiry & Scholarship

Engage in interdisciplinary conversations about learning-centred inquiry and scholarship in teaching and learning.

Educational Leadership & Mentorship

Examine educational leadership and mentorship practices while leading an initiative that helps others to strengthen their teaching and learning practices.

Blended & Online Learning

Enhance your blended and online learning practice through an interactive and interdisciplinary online learning experience.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the program, participants will be able to:

• Select and implement evidence-based teaching practices
• Examine, apply, and critique key theories and methodologies in postsecondary teaching and learning
• Design and develop aligned courses, projects, and activities that are learning-centred
• Implement methods for assessing student learning and self-assessing teaching practices
• Engage with, learn from, and contribute to a cross-disciplinary community of peers
• Describe and explore institutional priorities such as inclusivity, Indigenous engagement, mental health, and internationalization
• Document and critically reflect on teaching/leadership philosophy, approaches, and impact in a curated dossier
• Formulate a plan to further develop teaching, scholarship, and/or leadership practices

Instructors

The program is taught by experienced educational development consultants and scholars, including:

• Dr. Kimberley Grant, PhD
• Dr. Natasha Kenny, PhD
• Dr. Leslie Reid, PhD
• Dr. Erika Smith, PhD
• Dr. Patti Dyjur, PhD

University Acknowledgement

The University of Calgary acknowledges and pays tribute to the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation within Alberta. The University strives to learn together, walk together, and grow together “in a good way” on this land.