Certification in Teaching College Science and Mathematics

 

 

Overview

The Certification in Teaching College Science and Mathematics is a voluntary comprehensive program to prepare graduate students in the College of Natural Science for careers in post-secondary education while enhancing the quality of their teaching at Michigan State. This program is part of an all-University program for Certification in College Teaching.

 

The requirements are designed to provide background and training in the teaching of science and mathematics at the College level. The program includes course work, workshops and seminars to provide basic information on teaching and learning and is tailored to meet the needs and goals of each participant. In addition, the program requires 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.

 

Benefits

 

Most new faculty to be hired in the near future will have had advanced 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 Teaching of College Science and Mathematics 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.

 

The program was developed, in part, as a response to CNS graduate students requesting additional preparation for teaching, and their input was sought in defining the details of the program. When we surveyed students interest in participating, 42 of the 48 respondents thought this experience would be very useful. Some of the comments from graduate students about this program were:

  • "I think this is fantastic."
  • "This program would be extremely beneficial."
  • "I would love to see this program precipitate and soon!!"

 

One anticipated benefit to graduate students in this program is improved teaching while serving as TAs' here at Michigan State. 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.

 

To determine the value of this certificate in the job market and to receive input in planning the program, the College of Natural Science surveyed a number of science and mathematics faculty at colleges and universities across Michigan. We asked faculty and administrators if completion of this certificate would be viewed as important when reviewing candidates for new faculty positions at their institutions. Of the 41 responses from 24 institutions, 83% indicated that a certificate program like this would be considered important or very important. Comments from some of the respondents included:

  • "The TA certificate program...could prove to be a valuable means for identifying people who would have the potential to be excellent faculty members at (our) college."
  • "This would be a positive credential which would be given serious consideration."
  • "This is a way to solve a long-standing problem. We do not do a very good job in preparing new teachers for the...environment of the natural sciences classroom."

 

Requirements and Description

The requirements of the certificate include:

  1. SME 870 - "Teaching of College Science" - 2 cr, Spring semester. This course presents an introduction to the five core areas of the program, described below. Unique sections are available depending on your specific interest in science or mathematics. Check with the instructor.
  2. Demonstrated knowledge about and competency in the following 5 core areas:
    • Adult Students as Learners - Creating Learning Environments
    • Teaching Strategies in Science and Mathematics
    • 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 will be flexible; the coordinators of the program will work with participants to develop a program appropriate for that student. The 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 Natural Science and Michigan State University indicating the student's knowledge about and experience in teaching science or mathematics at the college level; students will NOT receive a degree or state certificate in teaching.

 

Applying for the Program

 

To be eligible, students must be in a M.S. or Ph.D. program in the College of Natural Science and have a commitment to developing their teaching competence. The application should include:

  1. The application form (download in Word format)
  2. A statement of interest in and commitment to the program (download in Word format)
  3. A letter of support from the student's research adviser.
  4. Any additional support materials that an applicant deems important.

Please note that the application form and statement of interest can be submitted electronically from the Web while hard copies should be submitted to:

College of Natural Science Dean's Office
 103 Natural Science
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1115

Fax: (517) 432-1054

A selection committee will review applications, and students will be notified of their acceptances.