Certification in College
Teaching:
Department of Kinesiology
Description
The Certification in College Teaching is a
voluntary comprehensive program to prepare graduate students in Kinesiology (KIN) for
careers in post-secondary education while enhancing the quality of their teaching at
Michigan State University. This program is part of the all-University program for
Certification in College Teaching. The requirements are designed to provide background
training in the teaching disciplines within kinesiology at the college level. The program
will include course work, workshops, and seminars to provide basic information on teaching
and learning and will be tailored to meet the needs and goals of each participant. In
addition, the program will require a mentored teaching experience and the development of a
teaching portfolio. The certificate earned by the participating students and the materials
developed in the teaching portfolio will assist graduates seeking employment in an
increasingly competitive job market.
Purpose
| Most new faculty to be hired in the near
future will have had advance training in their discipline and some teaching experience,
but few will have participated in programs that prepare them for a career in higher
education (Davis and Minnis, Innov. Higher Ed. 1993. 17: 211-224). As competition for
faculty positions continues to increase, it will become more important for graduate
students well prepared as researchers, to be able to demonstrate similar preparation as
teachers. |
The Certification in College Teaching is
the only formal program in the State of Michigan, and one of only a handful in the United
States, that provides graduate students a comprehensive preparation for teaching at the
college level. The development of a teaching portfolio by the end of the program and the
awarding of a certificate will supply participants with significant documentation of
their teaching competence.
One anticipated benefit to graduate
students in this program is improved teaching while serving as TA’s here at Michigan
State University. In fact, the program will make use of many of the University’s TA
training seminars and workshops. In addition, the program will improve a student’s
public presentation skills, helpful for preparing for oral defense and seminar
presentations. But perhaps most importantly, completion of the certificate is expected to
improve the employment opportunities for the participants and their subsequent success as
faculty.
Requirements
Requirements for the
Certificate in College Teaching:
Department of Kinesiology
One of the following courses:
 | KIN 851 - Curriculum and Instruction in Physical Activity Programs (3
credits) |
| CEP 808 - Instructional Design I (3 credits) |
| CEP 809 - Instructional Design II (3 credits) |
| EAD 871A - Academic Programs and Instruction in Higher Education (3
credits) |
| EAD 871B - Collegiate Contexts for Teaching and Learning (3 credits) |
Demonstrated knowledge about and competency in
the following five core areas:
| Adult Students as Learners - Creating Learning Environments |
| Teaching Strategies in Kinesiology |
| Assessment of Learning |
| Use of Technology in the Classroom |
| Understanding the Academy - what it means to be a faculty member at a
college or university |
These core components can be completed in a variety of ways including
participation in workshops, seminar series, and course-specific TA training programs as
well as completion of specific courses.
Two semesters of teaching experience, one of which is
a mentored experience
The program coordinators will work with students to
identify an appropriate faculty mentor. Guidelines for faculty mentors and students,
outlining the mentoring activities, will be available from the Coordinator.
Preparation of a teaching portfolio
The portfolio will demonstrate the candidate’s
accomplishments, documenting teaching philosophy, curricular development materials,
faculty observations, student evaluations, and other supporting activities from the core
components.
|
It should be noted that the methods for
fulfilling the requirements are flexible; the coordinators of the program work with
participants to develop a program appropriate for the student. The Graduate Coordinator,
in consultation with the Program Advisory Committee, will determine when all requirements
have been met. It is anticipated that the certificate program will require about two years
to complete. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a certificate from the
College of Education and Michigan State University indicating the student’s knowledge
about and experience in teaching kinesiology at the college level; students will NOT
receive a degree or state certificate in teaching.
Eligibility
To be eligible, students must be in the
Ph.D. program in the Department of Kinesiology and have a commitment
to developing their teaching competence.
How to Apply
For More Information
MSU's Certification in College Teaching is an
initiative of The Graduate School, in partnership with departments and colleges. Upon
completion of the program, the student will receive an MSU Certificate in College
Teaching. A transcript notation will also be provided. Click
here for more information
about this Certification in
College Teaching.
