The Teaching in Higher Education certificate offers knowledge, skills, and attitudes to teach in a variety of higher education settings with the option of continuing on to earn a Ph.D.

The Teaching in Higher Education Certificate is a 9-credit, 3-course non-degree program that provides learning opportunities for those interested in teaching in a variety of higher education environments.  The program addresses theoretical and practical knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to be successful when working with college and university adult learners. The certificate content draws from the curriculum and coursework that is included as components of the existing Instructional Management and Leadership Ph.D. doctoral degree program. 

The main purpose of the certificate is to focus on the knowledge and skills to plan and execute teaching with the traditional face-to-face (f2f), asynchronous online, synchronous online, and hybrid modalities. With the inclusion of three well-established courses that are required as part of the current IML Ph.D. program, the certificate program emphasizes the integration of technology with instruction, curriculum development processes, and the unique nature and needs of higher education classroom settings. Upon completion, certificate program participants will have the foundational knowledge, skills, and attitudes to teach in a variety of higher education settings. 

Those who are accepted and complete the Teaching in Higher Education Certificate will have the option to continue on to earn their Ph.D. in Instructional Management and Leadership.

Program Mode of Delivery

All courses will be delivered in both an on-ground traditional f2f and an asynchronous online cohort model utilizing the university’s learning management system (LMS). 

Contact Information

Dr. Soren I. Fanning, Ph.D.
Department Head, Social Sciences
Associate Professor of History
World history, Russian history, geography, national identity
fanning@rmu.edu
412-397-5403 phone (M)
412-397-6468 fax
Wheatley Center 213

Admissions Requirements

Minimum Admission Requirements:  For admission to the Teaching in Higher Education Certificate Program, the following requirements must be met:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution 
• Minimum graduate GPA of 3.25
• Computer competency and access to a computer, the Internet, and a printer
• Participation in faculty interview and submission of writing sample. 
• Submission of the Admission Application form and all required materials.

Program Design and Courses

This certificate program is designed to be completed in three consecutive 8-week terms – the first in the 8-week summer term and the next two in the first and second 8-week terms of the fall semester – as illustrated in the Program Format table below. Course work for all three courses will be completed fully online.

• EDML8110 Applied Instructional Technology
• EDML8170 Instructional Leadership/ Curriculum Planning
• EDML8280 Teaching in Higher Education