Fundamentals of Engineering and Computing Teaching in Higher Education Graduate Certificate
With a growing emphasis on STEM education, there is high demand for qualified educators who can teach engineering concepts and create quality curriculum in higher education. Obtaining a graduate certificate in engineering education enhances engineering professionals’ teaching capabilities while building on pedagogical and research skills, opening pathways to more advanced studies and directly impacting the next generation of engineers.
Program overview
The Fundamentals of Engineering and Computing Teaching in Higher Education provides training in education theory, research methods, and instructional design within the context of engineering education. The covered topics are especially relevant for students interested in pursuing academic engineering positions in higher education or industry positions where they will have responsibilities in the development of training materials for different audiences. The certificate requires the completion of four courses, which includes three required courses and one elective course.
After completion, students will come away with the following experiences, skills, and abilities:
- Gain exposure to a diverse set of educational theories applicable to learning in engineering contexts
- Write a research proposal for an education-based research project
- Evaluate the quality of existing engineering education research publications
- Develop effective, evidence-based teaching, learning, and mentoring practices
- Create learning-centered syllabi, activities, and assignments
- Identify research-based strategies to teach diverse populations
Why get a certificate in the fundamentals of engineering and computing teaching in higher education?
Graduate students with a background in engineering, physical sciences, mathematics, or education may be interested in completing the certificate program as they pursue academic engineering positions in higher education. The certificate serves graduate students who are preparing to teach, currently teaching, or interested in applying teaching and learning principles in a non-academic career. The topics covered are especially relevant for students interested in pursuing academic engineering positions in higher education or industry positions where they will have responsibilities in the development of training materials for different audiences.
What can you do with a certificate in the fundamentals of engineering and computing teaching in higher education?
Completing this program equips individuals with teaching skills specific to engineering and computing disciplines. This certificate can open doors to a variety of roles in academia, industry, and beyond as adjunct or full-time faculty in engineering or computing departments, instructors at community colleges, academic support specialists, curriculum developers, and more. This certificate can serve as a steppingstone toward advanced degrees focused on educational research, equipping individuals to contribute new insights into teaching practices in technical fields.
Featured Courses
Below are some of the courses that students in our program can choose to take. For a list of all courses, visit the graduate catalog.
EF 501 Education Theory for Research and Practice
This course addresses foundational principles of engineering education through relevant theories of teaching and learning, curriculum development, assessment, and student development. Broad categories of engineering courses (laboratories, design courses, and lectures) are examined with respect to course design, learning objectives, instructional methods, and assessment and accreditation.
EF 503 Engineering and Computing Teaching Theory and Practice in Higher Education
Students will learn to apply research- and theory-based educational methods to develop course materials and assess learning consistent with engineering and computing accreditation standards in higher education contexts. Will include discussions of specific teaching methods, pedagogical content knowledge, and the assessment and evaluation of student learning. Will use the human-centered design process as a mechanism to guide course development and continued improvement.
EF 507 Curriculum Development in Engineering Education
This course will guide students through the process of developing an engineering course that integrates research-based instructional strategies and modern assessment practices. Guidance will include the development of learning objectives, course activities, and assessment. This course is a combination of seminar topics and independent study to guide students towards a completed course design in their field of interest.
EDPY 572 Theories of Learning in Applied Educational Psychology
Introduction to theories of learning and related research from an applied educational psychology perspective. Includes evaluation of models and approaches that apply theory and research related to cognition, affect and emotions, motivation, behavioral perspectives, mediated/ situated/collaborative learning, and cognitive education.
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