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Picture the typical college classroom. The instructor lectures about a topic, perhaps using visual aids and periodically answering questions or engaging students in debate. Meanwhile, students take notes and complete assignments with a common goal in mind: to translate what they’re learning into a career. Whether you’re an existing or aspiring higher education professional, the University of Missouri’s (Mizzou) online graduate certificate in college teaching helps refine your instructional skills.
Through 12 credit hours, you explore higher education best practices and learn to develop more meaningful lesson plans. In the process, you tailor your knowledge to your audience, including students attending two- or four-year schools, virtual classrooms and adult learners, with the goal of graduating thoughtful, analytical problem solvers ready to enter the workforce.
About the online graduate certificate in college teaching
From community college to the traditional four-year university experience to accelerated tracks for working professionals, higher education environments share key characteristics. One, students aspire to similar outcomes regardless of major — from earning a degree that prepares them to pursue a specific career to a credential that qualifies them for graduate or professional school.
Two, independence, a faster pace and an emphasis on critical, analytical thinking shape the learning environment. Students are expected to review their notes ahead of exams, conduct their own research and seek out experience-building opportunities.
Within this format, faculty serve as mentors, drive students’ curiosity and connect theories to real-world applications. Their lectures, meanwhile, inspire and complement the information presented in texts.
Mizzou’s online graduate certificate in college teaching delves into higher education pedagogy, helping you pair lessons and assignments to academic outcomes and students’ long-term success:
- Grow your knowledge of different higher education institutions and their students, from two- and four-year schools to online learning
- Develop or update your teaching foundation to improve lecture delivery and connect topics and assignments to academic or experiential goals
- Complement your content area knowledge with higher education pedagogy and an understanding of your role within a school’s structure
- Prepare to create more engaging learning environments for your students and incorporate technology into the classroom
Quick facts
Official name
Graduate certificate in college teachingCampus
Program type
Graduate certificateAcademic home
College of Education & Human Development | Department of Educational Leadership and Policy AnalysisDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning CommissionCredit hours
12Estimated cost
$6,741.60*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8% greater demand for postsecondary teachers through 2032. Helping you take advantage of this trend, Mizzou’s online graduate certificate enriches your foundational knowledge and gives you the tools to improve retention, graduation and career placement rates.
Consider this online certificate if you currently teach in higher education or seek a position as an:
- Academic administrator
- Curriculum coordinator
- Postsecondary teacher
- Student advisor
Additionally, as you pursue a doctorate in education, this program provides more detailed insight into the structures, students and pedagogical methods of colleges and universities.
Program structure
For this 12-credit hour program, students begin with two required courses: college teaching and the professoriate. The remaining two courses are selected from a list of specialized subject areas.
The online graduate certificate in college teaching is 100 percent online: no campus visits are required. Classes follow the same schedule as on campus. Students typically take two classes each semester and finish the program in just one year.
Course work covers
Prepare to explore:
- Theories and practices of higher education instruction
- Faculty roles in U.S. colleges and universities
- Trends and theories for developing postsecondary curricula
- The organization, structure and roles of community colleges
- Higher education teaching, learning and evaluation strategies
- Online instruction and classroom management strategies
Review all requirements for the online graduate certificate in college teaching.
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
Semester-basedTypical program length
1 yearTypical course load
2 classes per semesterAccreditation
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The College of Education and Human Development is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).