Professional Advancement: Teaching Certificates

Celebrating a Legacy of Teaching Excellence

Named in honor of faculty development specialist, Cheelan Bo-Linn, this certificate recognizes her enduring impact on teaching at the University of Illinois. The program features a series of workshops on teaching foundations and best practices and is designed to support new and experienced faculty in advancing instructional practices and fostering student success.

Benefits of the Certificate

• Build a strong foundation in reflective, student-centered teaching practices.
• Enhance professional growth and demonstrate a commitment to teaching excellence.
• Connect with a community of faculty dedicated to continuous improvement.
• Strengthen your teaching portfolio by highlighting your commitment to teaching excellence and responsiveness to student learning.

Requirements for Earning the Certificate

• Two Semesters of Teaching: Teach at least two semesters at the University of Illinois. Can include teaching online or in-person.
• Attend teaching development workshops: Complete at least 6 hours of workshops focused on teaching and learning strategies. The Faculty Workshop Series on Teaching and Learning is highly recommended.
• Collect and analyze student feedback: Collect Informal Early Feedback (IEF) and Feedback on the Learning Experience (FLEX) for two semesters. Schedule a consultation to discuss results and submit an essay reflecting on what was learned from student feedback.
• Participate in classroom observations and reflective analysis: Engage in structured reflection with peers or CITL staff to identify opportunities for growth.
• Integrate student feedback into instructional design: Utilize student perspectives to refine course materials, activities, and assessments.

Get Started

Contact the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) to learn more about earning the Cheelan Bo-Linn Teaching Excellence Certificate, as well as other workshops, mentoring opportunities, and certificate requirements. 

Advancing Graduate Teaching Excellence

The Graduate Teacher Certificate is designed for graduate teaching assistants with at least two semesters of teaching experience at Illinois. This program supports teaching assistants (TAs) in strengthening their instructional skills, reflecting on their teaching practice, and building a portfolio that demonstrates their commitment to student learning and professional development.

Benefits of the Certificate

• Develop a strong foundation in effective, student-centered teaching practices.
• Enhance professional growth and prepare for future academic or professoriate careers.
• Gain recognition for acquiring teaching experience and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Build and strengthen a teaching portfolio with documented evidence of instructional innovation and responsiveness to student feedback.

Requirements for Earning the Certificate

• Participation in the Graduate Academy for College Teaching: Attend a pre-semester teaching development program, either the Graduate Academy or a departmental equivalent, to build core teaching skills.
• Two Semesters of Teaching: Teach at least two semesters at the University of Illinois. Can include running a discussion section, lab section, studio section, or being fully in charge of a course.
• Classroom observation and reflective essay: Have your teaching observed by faculty or a CITL consultant, schedule a debrief to discuss the experience, and submit a reflective essay analyzing your instructional approach.
• Collection and analysis of student feedback: Collect Informal Early Feedback (IEF) and Feedback on the Learning Experience (FLEX) for two semesters. Schedule a consultation to discuss results and submit an essay reflecting on what was learned from student feedback.
• Additional teaching development workshops: Complete at least 6 hours of workshops focused on teaching and learning strategies.

Get Started

Self-enroll in the Graduate Teacher Certificate Canvas Course for step-by-step guidance and helpful resources.

Ask about the CITL Instructor of Record designed to help students navigate and complete the requirements for this certificate.

Contact the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) to learn more about upcoming workshops, mentoring opportunities, and certificate requirements.

Building a Strong Foundation for Teaching

The Certificate in Foundations of Teaching is designed for undergraduate course assistants, graduate students, postdocs, visiting scholars, or others with limited or no prior teaching experience. The program provides supportive guidance for becoming an effective instructor and helps build confidence for graduate students beginning their teaching journey at Illinois.

Benefits of the Certificate

• Gain practical skills and strategies to support student learning.
• Build skills and confidence in teaching through guided practice and reflection.
• Build and strengthen a professional development portfolio demonstrating evidence of teaching readiness.

Requirements for Earning the Certificate

• Teaching development workshops: Complete at least 8 hours of workshops or equivalent development experiences focused on teaching and learning.
• Observation of a teaching session or mock lesson: Participate in a structured observation to gain feedback on instructional delivery.
• Read and reflect on teaching literature: Engage with scholarship on teaching and learning and submit a brief reflection.
• Observation of an experienced instructor: Learn from observing effective teaching practices in action.
• Development of a teaching philosophy statement: Articulate your values, goals, and approaches to teaching in a formal statement.

Get Started

Self-enroll in the Certificate in Foundations of Teaching Canvas Course for step-by-step guidance and helpful resources.

Ask about the CITL Instructor of Record designed to help students navigate and complete the requirements for this certificate.

Contact the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) to learn more about upcoming workshops, mentoring opportunities, and certificate requirements.

Exploring Scholarly Teaching

Named in honor of faculty development specialist, Dr. Sandra J. Finley, this certificate recognizes her enduring commitment to scholarly teaching at the University of Illinois. The program is open to faculty and graduate students wishing to explore the current literature on teaching in their discipline and apply those insights to their own instructional practice.

Benefits of the Certificate

• Deepen engagement with the scholarship of teaching and learning in specific disciplines.
• Build and strengthen a teaching portfolio with evidence of pedagogical innovation and scholarly reflection.
• Contribute to the university’s mission of excellence in teaching and service.
• Enhance your professional advancement by demonstrating a commitment to discipline-based teaching scholarship.

Requirements for Earning the Certificate

• Earn a prior certificate: Complete the Graduate Teacher Certificate or the Cheelan Bo-Linn Teaching Excellence Certificate.
• Teach a third semester: Demonstrate sustained teaching experience at Illinois.
• Consult the literature on teaching in your field: Engage with discipline-specific scholarship on teaching and learning.
• Develop a pedagogical project: Design and implement a project that applies scholarly insights to your teaching practice.
• Engage in discipline-based service: Contribute to the university, your field, or society through service activities connected to teaching and learning.
• Compose or revise a teaching philosophy statement: Express your teaching and learning principles and practices in writing.

Get Started

Self-enroll in the Dr. Sandra J. Finley Teacher Scholar Certificate Canvas Course for step-by-step guidance and helpful resources. Contact the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) to learn more about other upcoming workshops, mentoring opportunities, and certificate requirements.

Diving into Online Pedagogy

The Master Course in Online Teaching provides individuals interested in online instruction with advanced preparation in the design and delivery of high-quality online courses. Through four comprehensive modules, participants explore evidence-based strategies that foster student engagement, build learning communities, and strengthen instructional design.

Benefits of the Course

• Gain expertise in online pedagogy and instructional design.
• Learn to create engaging, student-centered online learning environments.
• Build and strengthen a teaching portfolio with advanced training in digital learning environments.
• Explore best practices for improving student satisfaction and success in online courses.

Requirements for Earning the Certificate

Enroll in the synchronous or asynchronous version of the course

• For Synchronous Participants:
  • Enroll in the synchronous section of the course
  • Complete each module deliverable.
  • Complete each Tech Tools assignment.
  • Attend 3 of 4 synchronous course meetings.
• For Asynchronous Participants:
  • Enroll in the asynchronous section of the course
  • Complete each module deliverable.
  • Complete each Tech Tools assignment.
  • Score 80% or higher on all module quizzes.

Course Modules

• Designing Your Online Course: Explore backward design, cognitive load theory, and course mapping to create clear, effective learning pathways.
• Developing Your Learning Community: Apply the Community of Inquiry framework to foster social, cognitive, and teaching presence in online environments.
• Adapting Best Practices: Incorporate metacognition, scaffolding, and strategies for teaching novices to support diverse learners.
• Motivating Students: Use evidence-based approaches to increase student engagement, persistence, and motivation in online learning.

Get Started

Contact the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) to learn more about the Master Course in Online Teaching and other workshops, mentoring opportunities, and certificate requirements.

Expanding the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Certificate is designed for faculty who wish to engage in systematic inquiries into teaching and learning and report their findings to the literature. Participants work with CITL educational research staff and members of the Data Analytics team to develop research questions, develop research tools, collect and analyze data, and disseminate findings through scholarly venues or CITL-sponsored events.

Benefits of the Certificate

• Contribute to the academic literature on teaching pedagogy and student learning.
• Build and strengthen a teaching portfolio with evidence of scholarly engagement in teaching.
• Collaborate with peers in a supportive learning community.
• Gain methodological support and peer feedback to advance your research.
• Align your work with the broader SoTL community at the University of Illinois and beyond.

Requirements for Earning the Certificate

• Minimum of 18 hours of engagement: Participate in your choice of structured activities, workshops, and meetings facilitated by CITL.
• Develop research questions: Identify and refine questions that address relevant topics in teaching and learning or are specific to in your discipline.
• Collect and analyze data: Conduct a comprehensive research investigation into student learning or instructional practices, including the collection and analysis of data.
• Disseminate findings: Share results through scholarly venues or CITL-sponsored events.
• Engage in regular meetings: Participate in peer feedback sessions and receive methodological support to strengthen your project.

Get Started

Contact the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) to learn more about the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Certificate and other workshops, mentoring opportunities, and certificate requirements.

Honoring Leadership in Teaching Excellence

The Distinguished Facilitator Certificate was developed to recognize and honor faculty who take an active role in shaping campus-wide teaching excellence by facilitating CITL-sponsored events and collaborative initiatives. Through sustained involvement, participants demonstrate leadership, collaboration, and a deep commitment to advancing the university’s teaching mission.

Benefits of the Certificate

• Gain recognition for leadership skills and expertise in teaching and faculty development.
• Build and strengthen a professional portfolio with evidence of campus-wide impact and facilitation skills.
• Promote inclusive practices at the University of Illinois and help foster a culture of community among faculty.
• Contribute to the strategic teaching efforts of CITL and campus to advance educational innovation at Illinois.

Requirements for Earning the Certificate

• Minimum of 18 hours of engagement: Participate in CITL-sponsored events and initiatives that actively promote and support teaching excellence.
• Lead workshops or events: Facilitate CITL and related sessions to demonstrate and share effective teaching practices with peers.
• Mentor colleagues: Provide guidance and support to fellow faculty in the development of their teaching practice.
• Co-develop resources: Collaborate with CITL staff or peers to create instructional materials or tools for campus use.
• Contribute to strategic teaching efforts: Engage in initiatives that advance inclusive practices and educational innovation across campus.

Get Started

Contact the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) to learn more about the Distinguished Facilitator Certificate and other workshops, mentoring opportunities, and certificate requirements.

Highlighting Commitment to Teaching Excellence

The CITL Engagement Certificate recognizes faculty and instructors who actively invest in their professional growth by consistently participating in CITL-sponsored events. The certificate is designed to recognize and honor ongoing learning and the cultivation of teaching excellence through exposure, reflection, and community engagement, including emerging pedagogical trends, inclusive teaching strategies, and educational innovations 

Benefits of the Certificate

• Demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement in teaching and learning.
• Strengthen your professional portfolio with evidence of engagement in faculty development.
• Explore innovative strategies that enhance student success and classroom inclusivity.
• Connect with a vibrant community of educators dedicated to excellence.
• Stay informed about current trends and best practices in higher education.

Requirements for Earning the Certificate

• Minimum of 18 hours of engagement: Participate in your choice of CITL-sponsored workshops, seminars, conferences, or other approved events.
• Reflect on learning: Complete brief reflections on how these opportunities will inform your teaching practice.
• Engage with community: Demonstrate participation in discussions, learning communities, or other collaborative activities that foster shared learning among peers.
• Submit documentation: Consult with CITL staff on how to receive a record of completed activities for verification and develop a portfolio of written reflections.

Get Started

Contact the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) to learn more about earning the CITL Engagement Certificate, as well as other program requirements, upcoming sessions, and opportunities to get involved.