Certificate in University Teaching for Students

If you are considering a career as a university professor, Improving your skills and developing your practice could give you an edge.

What is this Certificate?

The certificate in university teaching is a flexible, learner-centred professional development program. It will allow you to reflect on and explore up-to-date and relevant university teaching practices to enhance the quality of instruction you provide.   

The certificate is a free, not-for-credit program which is not part of the regular course offerings sanctioned by the University of Ottawa Senate.

Program details

Objectives

The Certificate in University Teaching for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows aims to:

  • Help develop the professional skills required to hold a faculty position at the university level;
  • Offer training that enhances instructional practice;
  • Facilitate discussion and collaboration; and
  • Implement the use of various learning methods, including information and communication technologies.

The training program includes:

  • A course in university teaching (ESG 5300 - Theory and Practice of Undergraduate Teaching);
  • A course in university teaching and technology (ESG 6100 - Technology and University Teaching);
  • A practicum in university teaching (ESG 8300 – Practicum in University Teaching).

Admission requirement

To register for this training program, students must be registered in a graduate program or as postdoctoral fellows.

Maximum registrations per course

There is a registration limit of 20 people per course and 10 for the practicum.

Description

All current uOttawa graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are invited to register for the following courses:

ESG 5300

Theory and Practice of Undergraduate Teaching (on campus course) - a prerequisite for ESG 6100 and ESG 8300.

ESG 5300 - Theory and Practice of Undergraduate Teaching.

This course counts towards the Certificate in University Teaching for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows.

ESG 5300 is an entire session (12-week, minus reading week) course. The maximum number of people that can register for this course is 20.

This course is usually offered during the fall session.

ESG 6100

Technology and University Teaching (virtual course) - prerequisite: ESG 5300/5500.

ESG 6100 - Technology and University Teaching (virtual course)

This course counts toward the Certificate in University Teaching for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows and the Certificate in University Teaching for Faculty Members.

PREREQUISITE: ESG 5300/5500

ESG 6100 is an entire session (12 weeks, minus a reading week) virtual course involving synchronous meeting time and asynchronous weekly online work. This course will entail a workload similar to a regular university course. The maximum number of people that can register for this course is 20.

This virtual course is only offered during the winter session.

ESG 8300

Practicum in University Teaching (participants will teach sessions of a class) - prerequisite: ESG 5300 and ESG 6100

ESG 8300 - Practicum in University Teaching.

This course counts towards the Certificate in University Teaching for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows.

PREREQUISITES: ESG 5300/5500 and ESG 6100/6500.

The maximum number of people that can register for this course is 10. 

The Practicum provides additional opportunities for mentored hands-on experience in university teaching. It includes three essential components: conducting an internship supervised by a mentor, pursuing professional development activities, and creating a practicum report demonstrating one’s learning. 

Internship Supervised by a Mentor

A series of practical teaching experiences conducted under the supervision of an experienced professor who shares a field of expertise similar to the students.

Professional Development Activities

Additional professional development activities linked to the competency profile (Approximately 20 hours) must be completed by attending a practicum community of practice, workshops, lectures or additional mentorship related to teaching and learning in a university context. The selection of activities must be approved by the practicum coordinator at the Teaching and Learning Support Service (TLSS), and logged in the student’s learning plan.

Practicum Report

A report that contains a summary of what was learned throughout the practicum will be submitted and revised. Key findings will be integrated with the teaching dossier completed as part of the prerequisite ESG 5300 course.

Admission and Period of Study

ESG 8300 can be spread over a maximum of two consecutive semesters.

Please note that these courses are included in the official transcript but do not count towards credit. This certificate is not part of the programs approved by the University of Ottawa Senate.

 

Course recognition

This program will equip graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with the skills to:

  • Design a course and develop related learning activities;
  • Use a range of teaching and learning methods;
  • Guide individual students or student groups in their learning;
  • Evaluate learning processes;
  • Evaluate their teaching methods;
  • Analyze their professional environment and develop appropriate professional and personal strategies;
  • Begin to reflect on both their teaching methods and their professional development.

Cost

This training is free for full-time University of Ottawa graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

Responsibility

The Teaching and Learning Support Service (TLSS) is responsible for this training program.

More information

Please call 613-562-5300 or send an email to saea-tlss@uOttawa.ca.