Program Code: CTCLTG
Why College Teaching
Ohio University's Patton College of Education proudly offers an online certificate in college teaching, an essential credential for aspiring and current higher education instructors. Graduate programs outside of education do not typically require courses focusing on teaching and learning. Yet many graduates serve as college instructors with curriculum development, teaching, and assessment responsibilities. This certificate will develop and validate students' effective pedagogical skills, enhance their competitiveness in the academic job market, and ultimately improve the learning experiences and outcomes for their students across disciplines, including health sciences, sociology, psychology, nursing, engineering, biology, chemistry, journalism, English, and business.
What You'll Learn
Our College Teaching Certificate will help you unlock your potential as a dynamic college instructor. It equips you with cutting-edge pedagogical strategies and a marketable credential to excel in today's higher education landscape. You'll learn how to
- Design engaging learning experiences by crafting impactful curricula and interactive activities that resonate with diverse learners.
- Use effective, evidence-based teaching techniques to foster deep understanding and critical thinking.
- Create inclusive classrooms that cultivate equitable and supportive learning environments for all students.
- Apply meaningful assessment strategies that accurately measure learning and provide valuable feedback.
- Build a teaching portfolio as a compelling showcase of your pedagogical skills and philosophy for the job market.
This certificate prepares you for effective teaching in both in-person and online college environments.
Who Should Enroll?
Designed for aspiring and current higher education instructors, this program is offered fully online*, providing flexibility without compromising quality. Engage with instructors through synchronous and asynchronous lectures and office hours, with the majority of courses allowing you to study when you have availability. This certificate is ideal for:
- Aspiring College Faculty (Future Instructors) who have undergraduate or advanced degrees (master's or Ph.D.) and are looking to enter the higher education teaching profession.
- Current Graduate Students who are pursuing a graduate degree and are looking to gain valuable teaching skills and credentials concurrently, enhancing their CV and preparing them for future teaching roles.
- Adjunct Faculty (Part-Time Instructors) who currently teach part-time at colleges and universities and are looking to improve their teaching effectiveness, increase their confidence, and potentially seek more teaching opportunities.
- Postdoctoral Researchers who are transitioning from research-focused roles to positions with teaching responsibilities can benefit from the certificate's pedagogical foundation.
- Professionals Transitioning to Academia who have significant experience in their field and are looking to teach at the college level.
- Current College Faculty who are seeking professional development and looking to refresh their pedagogical approaches, explore new teaching technologies, and enhance their effectiveness in the classroom and online.
Curriculum
Students are required to complete 11-credit hours and can be completed in one year. All required courses are online courses. Some practicum options are in-person only.
| Term | Course ID | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Summer
|
EDHE 7820 | Effective Curriculum Development and Teaching Practices in American Higher Education | 3 |
|
Spring
|
EDCP 7250 | Advanced College Student Development: Theories and Research | 3 |
|
Fall
|
EDCT 6012 | Teaching and Learning Online | 4 |
|
Fall, Spring, or Summer
|
Practicum | Several general and subject-specific options can be used to meet the practicum requirement of the certificate | Minimum 1 credit |
Students can start the program in fall, spring, or summer semester. Select practicum offerings are in-person only.
Admissions & Requirements
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree. Requirements include:
- Official undergraduate transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency (for non-native speakers)
- No GRE required.
Priority application deadlines for full consideration
- To start in fall, apply by August 9, 2025
- To start in spring, apply by December 8, 2025
- To start in summer, apply by April 13, 2026
For more information, contact: Lisa S. Dael Program Coordinator