Graduate Certificate in College Teaching
Program Objectives
The Adult and Higher Education Program offers a College Teaching Certificate to develop and promote exemplary teaching among graduate students, aspiring faculty, and current faculty wanting to enhance their teaching skills. The goal of the certificate is to make individuals more competitive in the job market and effective as instructors and faculty members at colleges and universities.
Program Flow
A total of 12 credits of coursework are required to earn the College Teaching Certificate. Taking three credits a semester, participants will be able to earn the certificate in two years. Taking six credits a semester, participants will be able to earn the certificate in one year. Participants may enroll in the program for Fall or Spring semesters.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Recognize disciplinary/andragogical skills and knowledge.
- Investigate empirical literature and practice‐based knowledge to analyze problemsand develop meaningful solutions.
- Understand how different lenses impact teaching and research on teaching andlearning.
- Communicate effectively using multiple modes.
- Conduct scholarly and professional activities in an ethical manner.
Program of Study
| Required Courses - 6 credits | 6 | |
| College Teaching | ||
| Field Experience in Educational Leadership (Section-006, College Teaching Practicum) | ||
| Field Experience is the experiential component for the certificate program and is taken after the majority of the coursework is completed. Offered every Spring Semester. | ||
| Electives - choose 6 credits | 6 | |
| Issues and Trends in Higher Education | ||
| Organization and Administration of Higher Education | ||
| College Students | ||
| Law and Policy in Higher Education | ||
| Student Development Theory | ||
| Student Services | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Internship | ||
Other courses approved by committee | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Mode of Course Delivery
All education courses are offered in a variety of modalities including face-to-face in-person courses, synchronous and asynchronous online learning, and a combination of both.
Contact Information
Dr. Carrie Myers, Chair, College Teaching Certificate
Phone: 406-994-4203 Email: cbmyers@montana.edu
Application Process for the College Teaching Certificate
The minimum requirement for admission to the certificate program is a master’s degree or current enrollment in a master’s or doctoral degree program as well as knowledge of a self-identified discipline or area of specialization.
Applicants are required to complete the online application and submit the following documentation via the Graduate School Online Application System
- Completed Graduate School Application
- Academic Transcripts: Applicants must provide official transcripts verifying all Bachelor's and Master's degree coursework and degrees earned from the applicant's certifying university. Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded during the application process and used for review. Official electronic transcripts may be emailed directly from the Institution to gradschool@montana.edu or edgrad@montana.edu Official transcripts may also be mailed directly to the MSU Graduate School, 104 Montana Hall, PO Box 172580, Bozeman, MT 59717. If you have attended MSU, please indicate and list the dates of attendance. Transcripts from courses or a degree awarded through MSU do not need to be provided. NOTE: The Graduate School requires an undergraduate and graduate GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale). Transcripts will be evaluated for rigor and academic fit.
- Personal Essay: The applicant should briefly describe the following
- Brief background
- Goal for completing the Certificate – teaching goals
- Discipline/content knowledge – qualifications to teach the content of the discipline or area of specialization at the college level
- List of current teaching responsibilities or experience
- Initial thoughts/ideas on what course(s) you might teach/co-teach/TA to fulfill part of the practicum requirements and who might serve as your faculty advisor
- Have you taken or are currently enrolled in any courses that might count towards the Certificate. If yes, list these courses and indicate when you have taken them.
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Three (3) Professional References: During this online process, applicants will be asked to provide information about their references. The electronic process will also prompt each reference to submit a signed reference letter. One of these must address the discipline/specialization qualifications of the applicant to teach at the college level. May not include current AHE faculty as a reference. NOTE: If you are a current graduate student at MSU, only one letter of reference is required.
- For International Applicants ONLY: For information on the International application process, see link https://www.montana.edu/gradschool/admissions/international_admissions.html.
Application Deadlines
Below is the deadline by which all application materials for the College Teaching Certificate in Adult & Higher Education must be submitted via the online application system.
- Fall Semester: April 1
- Spring Semester: November 15
*A second review for Fall applicants will occur on July 15th. If you are a Fall applicant and cannot submit your complete application (including all required materials) by April 1st, you may submit by July 15th and will be considered in the second review.
Admission Process
Complete applications will be reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Committee and the Department Head. Once the department recommendation has been made, the application will be forwarded to The Graduate School for a final decision. Please note that the application review process will begin at the close of the application deadline.
For answers to questions on this or any program at the Department of Education, contact the Graduate Program Assistant at phone: 406-994-6786 or edgrad@montana.edu. If you are ready to apply, do so through the Graduate School Online Application System