Academic Staff Certificate in University Teaching and Learning
Program overview
The Academic Staff Certificate in University Teaching and Learning provides you with opportunities to develop research-informed and scholarly teaching expertise, reflect on your practice and build your 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 (Hendry & Dean, 2002; Kreber, 2002).
In each course, you’ll become part of a cohort of scholars as you develop skills and confidence in supporting student learning and engagement. You’ll also document your understanding of teaching and learning into a robust dossier that reflects your evolving experience, goals and skills.
Accredited by the Educational Developers’ Caucus of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
This certificate will enable professors, instructors, lecturers and other academic staff at different stages of career development to enhance multiple aspects of their teaching skills and knowledge in order to excel in competitive academic environments.
Please note: This certificate is not intended for graduate students or postdoctoral scholars. We encourage you to register in our Certificates in University Teaching and Learning, which are tailored for your teaching contexts.
You need to complete any two courses offered.
Please note: Participants can take only one course per term.
Once you've fulfilled the requirements, please click the link below to fill out a form to request your certificate.
As a participant in the last cohort, I have to say: this was such a fantastic experience! Thank you so much for providing the opportunity to reflect on my teaching practice, build new connections, and expand into new areas of theory and practice!
Dr. Stephanie Warner, PhD
Sessional Instructor
You will learn to
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Select and implement evidence-based teaching practices within your own context to create meaningful learning experiences
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Examine, apply and critique key theories and/or methodologies in postsecondary teaching and learning
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Design and develop an aligned course, project, and/or activity that is learning-centred
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Implement methods for assessing student learning and self-assessing your own teaching, scholarship and/or leadership practices
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Engage with, learn from and contribute to a cross-disciplinary community of peers
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Describe and explore institutional priorities such as inclusivity, Indigenous engagement, mental health and internationalization as they relate to teaching and learning across multiple contexts
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Document and critically reflect on your teaching/leadership philosophy, approaches and impact in a curated dossier
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Formulate a plan to further develop your teaching, scholarship and/or leadership practices
Program Format
There are four courses in this certificate: Teaching and Learning Practices, Theories and Assessments, Inquiry and Scholarship in Teaching Learning, Educational Leadership and Mentorship, and Blended and Online Learning.
Once you have completed two courses, you are eligible to receive the certificate.
Please note: Participants can take only one course per term.
To make the most of this learning experience, please check the course schedule to ensure your schedule allows you attend all of the sessions.
Teaching and Learning Practices, Theories and Assessments
Explore teaching and learning practices, theories, and assessments as they relate to your teaching context and priorities. You will engage in conversations and activities that are grounded in a learning-centred, evidence-based approach which focuses on students’ learning as well as your own.
Winter 2025
Inquiry and Scholarship in Teaching and Learning
Engage in interdisciplinary conversations about learning-centred inquiry and scholarship in teaching and learning. You will consider your teaching and learning context and critically explore general and discipline-specific teaching and learning scholarship.
TBD
Educational Leadership and Mentorship
Examine educational leadership and mentorship practices while leading an initiative that helps others to strengthen their teaching and learning practices. You will articulate an educational leadership and mentorship philosophy statement and document your learning and growth in your teaching dossier.
TBD
Blended and Online Learning
Enhance your blended and online learning practice through an interactive and interdisciplinary online learning experience. Explore the foundations of blended and online learning pedagogy, engage with blended and online course design models and learning technologies, and expand your teaching practices.
TBD
Instructors
Dr. Kimberley Grant, PhD
Educational Development Consultant, Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning
Dr. Natasha Kenny, PhD
Senior Director, Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning
Dr. Leslie Reid, PhD
Former Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) (2018 – 2023), University of Calgary
Dr. Fouzia Usman, PhD
Educational Development Consultant, Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning