Teaching of Psychology Certificate
Available for on-campus graduate students only.
Why should you get this certificate?
In psychology, a majority of doctoral programs do not adequately prepare students for the rigors of working at a primarily teaching institution. Rather, the focus is on high-impact research, which prepares graduates for work in large and/or prestigious research-intensive universities, or for post-doctoral work at similar institutions. The reality, however, is that these opportunities are rare. This certificate program enriches the training of our students.
The Teaching of Psychology Certificate Program is designed to provide graduate students in the Department of Psychology with an assortment of foundational teaching skills, which will give them a competitive advantage in the job market for a teaching position, or in admissions and/or GTA selection at a doctoral program. The program provides special attention to tailoring the students’ experiences for the future job market in higher education by not only focusing on traditional on-campus instruction, but also going over best practices in engaging online students in high-impact practices.
Requirements
Assistantship
Students in the Teaching of Psychology Certificate Program are required to have a graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) for at least two semesters.
Experiences
Students in the Teaching of Psychology Certificate Program will…
- Give an on-campus psychology course lecture, reviewed by Department of Psychology faculty.
- Develop a new psychology course, of their own choosing, complete with coursework examples, schedule, and syllabus.
- Create a professional-quality written teaching philosophy, which clearly conveys their style and approach to potential graduate programs and/or employers.
- Be expected to attend monthly meetings with faculty member to discuss common pedagogical issues arising from GTA experiences, or other teaching experiences. These meetings may be in conjunction with other students in the certificate program, and may include relevant guest speakers with specific areas of pedagogical expertise (e.g., learning technologies, assessment, rubrics, and classroom management).
Registration
Students in the Teaching of Psychology Certificate Program must maintain registration of 6 credit hours per fall and spring semester.
Required Book
Svinicki, M., & McKeachie, W. J. (2013). McKeachie’s teaching tips: Strategies, research, and theory for college and university teachers (14th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
INTERESTED IN THE PROGRAM?
Please contact the Department of Psychology at 785-628-4405.