Developing Your Teaching and Preparing for the Academic Job Market


The Center for Teaching Excellence promotes excellence in teaching by getting to know our graduate students, learning from them, fostering leadership, and bringing people together from across the University. We regularly provide consultations, workshops, and print and web resources on teaching and academic success for the entire university community as well as direct needs for graduate students. We focus on implementing evidence-based, high-impact educational practices with the Duquesne community of teachers and learners.

"I strongly believe that I have grown as a teacher-scholar by enrolling in this program. My growth has occurred not only through attending workshops, but also through the more reflective elements of the program (observations, teaching philosophy, professional interactions)."

-Recent Certificate Recipient

The primary program the Center for Teaching Excellence offers specifically for graduate student teacher-scholars is the Certificate of University Teaching. The certificate is a voluntary and self-paced opportunity for graduate students to document their college teaching in preparation for faculty careers. The Certificate (CUT) and Advanced Certificate of University Teaching (ACUT) are non-credit programs designed to help graduate students grow as teacher-scholars. Research has shown that graduate students who participate in professional development programs, like the Certificate of University Teaching here at Duquesne, develop greater competence and confidence, and create connections with other graduate students and faculty that help them cultivate and reflect on good teaching practices.

Contact Dr.%20Erin%20Rentschler or Bethany%20Kaser for further information about the Certificate of University Teaching programs, consultation, 1-on-1 meeting, workshops, or to check in about your graduate student development and journey!

Explore more about the certificate programs.

Eligibility: 

The applicant must: 

  • Meet with a CTE consultant and complete an application form in order to enroll in either certificate program.  
  • Serve in a University-recognized teaching capacity as a TA, Adjunct, or GA with significant and consistent teaching responsibilities such as grading, tutoring, lab instruction, teaching online, etc.
    • Applicants must be able to be observed in their teaching role by 2 different Duquesne faculty members.
    • Applicants must be able to create instructional materials for the final portfolio. 
  • Be a graduate student at Duquesne University while completing the program (though TA status might change). 
  • Enroll at least 6 months prior to intended graduation date.
  • Applicants for the Advanced Certificate must have completed the Certificate program prior to enrolling and submitting documentation for the Advanced Certificate. 

Additional details are provided within the Enrollment Guidelines.


*Certificate recipients will be recognized at the annual Celebration of Teaching Excellence as well as on the CTE website. The deadline for recognition at the annual Celebration of Teaching Excellence is in early March.  

 

Certificate of University Teaching Requirements

The graduate student will:

  • Participate in CTE Teaching Orientation for TA's or Adjuncts as well as teach at Duquesne University for 2 semesters by the time of program completion.
  • Attend at least 1 CTE workshop or departmental session for each of the 6 Mastery of Basics of Teaching categories.
  • Organize observations by 2 different faculty members, who will provide the TA with a written observation and engage in a follow-up discussion.  Observations from 2 different semesters are recommended.
  • Complete 1 professional interaction about teaching and learning.
  • Construct a teaching portfolio, with elements such as a teaching philosophy, reflection on an instructional item, and a list of professional interactions about teaching. 

Advanced Certificate of University Teaching Requirements


The graduate student will:
  • Complete the Certificate of University Teaching Program as well as teach at Duquesne University for 2 additional semesters-- for a total of 4 semesters-- by the time of program completion.
  • Attend 1 CTE workshop or departmental session for each of the 4 Mastery of Basics of Teaching categories.
  • Observe a peer and be observed by a peer. Each observation will involve a written observation form and follow-up discussion.
  • Complete 2 professional interactions about teaching, in addition to the 1 completed in the previous program.
  • Construct a more substantial teaching portfolio, built upon the version compiled for the Certificate program, with revisions based on feedback from the Center for Teaching Excellence. Additionally, it will include new elements, such as a reflection on teaching observations, a second reflection on an instructional item, and a list of courses the student assisted with or taught.
The following documents are useful for current enrollees and although the program is self-paced, enrollees are encouraged to schedule a consult with Bethany Kaser at any time to review their progress or make a plan for successful completion of the certificate programs. 

Certificate of University Teaching Checklist
Advanced Certificate of University Teaching Checklist
Documentation Form
Observation Form
Past Workshops and Certificate Category Alignments

The following graduate students have pursued excellence in teaching and learning as well as demonstrated a commitment to continuing to develop their teaching skills by earning the Certificate of University Teaching (CUT) and/or the Advanced Certificate of University Teaching (ACUT).

2021-2022 Recipients

  • Catherine Bruno, Biology, CUT
  • Besem Etchi, Theology, CUT
  • Marisa Guido, Biology, CUT and ACUT
  • Jennifer Hill, Communication & Rhetorical Studies, CUT and ACUT 
  • Victoria Hrach, Biology, CUT and ACUT
  • Malimi Kazi, Instructional Technology and Leadership, CUT
  • William King, Biology, CUT and ACUT
  • Brad Landry, Psychology, CUT
  • Courtney Mullis, English, CUT
  • Cliff Oliech, Education, CUT
  • Brianna Ports, Education, CUT
  • Benjamin Strosberg, Psychology, CUT
  • Ning Sun, Biology, CUT and ACUT
  • Anna Vietmeier, Biology, CUT 
  • Yashika Kamte, Pharmacology & Toxicology, CUT
Certificate Recipients from 2010-2021