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 enrollment form.  
  • 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.
  • Participate in observations of their teaching by 2 different Duquesne faculty members.
  • Create instructional materials for a teaching portfolio. 
  • Be a graduate student at Duquesne University while completing the program. 
  • Enroll at least 6 months prior to intended graduation date. 

Additional details are available by scheduling a consultation. 

Certificate of University Teaching Requirements

The graduate student will:

  • Participate in a CTE Teaching Orientation as well as teach at Duquesne University for 2 semesters by the time of program completion.
  • Attend at least 6 CTE workshops or departmental sessions on teaching and learning.
  • Receive feedback on teaching through observations. 
  • Participate in a professional interaction about teaching and learning.
  • Develop a teaching portfolio.  

Advanced Certificate of University Teaching Requirements


The graduate student will:
  • Complete the Certificate of University Teaching Program.

  • Teach at Duquesne University for a total of 4 semesters across both Certificate programs. 
  • Attend additional CTE workshops or departmental sessions.
  • Receive feedback on teaching through peer observations or student evaluations and reflect on that feedback.
  • Participate in 2 additional professional interactions about teaching.
  • Develop a more substantial teaching portfolio, based on feedback from CTE.
Current enrollees can access helpful Certificate materials in our shared program folder. 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.