College Teaching, AC

Female professor in front of large lecture group.

Our advanced certificate program in college teaching is for you if you teach or plan to teach within post-secondary education and you would like to enhance your skills and employability. This program prepares you—with your pre-existing content discipline expertise—to use the elements of effective college teaching, assessment, technology integration and 21st century learning tools.

On this page:

Why College Teaching at UB?

In our program, you will:

  • Learn to design experiential learning in the classroom
  • Learn to engage students and increase their achievement level
  • Learn to use technologies effectively
  • Learn varied approaches to evaluation

As a graduate of our college teaching program, you will:

  • Acquire competence in developing and applying various assessments that measure student learning and teaching practice, and interpreting the results
  • Demonstrate progress and achievement in developing knowledge and understanding about teaching and learning using technologies through an instructional sequence in an area of college teaching
  • Describe and apply active learning theories pertaining to college students
  • Design, develop and evaluate authentic learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources—in course delivery and in students’ use of digital tools and resources
  • Develop and implement an inquiry into teaching and learning in an area of college teaching
  • Have a competitive advantage in your post-secondary teaching career
  • Receive a printed New York State-approved certificate in college teaching, with that designation on your transcript

Program Overview

Certificate granted Advanced Certificate (AC)
Credits required for completion 12
Time to completion 2 part-time semesters
Course delivery Online
Careers Educators at colleges and universities
Application deadline Priority Deadlines
Fall: Feb. 1, then rolling
Spring: Nov. 1, then rolling

Program Coursework

A grade of B or higher is required for all coursework in this program.

Required Courses (12 credit hours)

  • LAI 547 Measurement and Evaluation of Student Performance
     This course is designed to provide an overview of basic principles of measurement and evaluation for college teaching. Course participants will learn how to assess students’ learning outcomes from formative and summative purposes. Moreover, students will acquire competence in planning and development of classroom assessments. This course will help student develop the understandings and skills needed to validly, reliably, and accurately assess student learning in college level. Students will have the opportunities to develop, analyze, and critique a measurement instrument.
  • LAI 640 Designing Content Using Digital Technology
    This course examines strategies for developing effective digital course content. A systematic approach to the design, development, delivery, and evaluation of instruction for online/hybrid learners is emphasized. Students will be introduced to instructional design strategies and research findings pertaining to online/hybrid teaching and learning, and will apply this information through the development of online instructional materials. Special attention is given to courseware development using web tools and learning management systems.
  • LAI 699 Seminar in College Teaching
    This course focuses on how college students learn best and what the best college teachers do to support learning across the curriculum. Essential issues include engagement and motivation, learning goals and strategies, creating learner-centered environments, understanding learning processes, designing active learning tasks, integrating learning activities and authentic assessments. This course is grounded in the most recent theories and research. It includes video analysis, case studies and critique of sample teaching sessions.
  • LAI 705 Guided Experiential Learning
    The Guided Experiential Learning course can be taken at any point within the program and includes the development of an ePortfolio.

Application Requirements

Students in the college teaching program may start in any semester.

Submit your completed online application, which includes:
  • Application fee: A $50 non-refundable fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
  • Transcripts from all colleges attended. (Current UB students and UB alumni do not need to request an official UB transcript; we will download and print your transcript.) 3.0 general undergraduate cumulative GPA is expected.
  • Career goals statement: a clearly written personal statement that speaks to your personal career goals, explaining your personal commitment to College Teaching, and addressing an educational or social issue in College Teaching that is of personal interest.
  • Two letters of recommendation:
    (not required for current UB students enrolled in a program)
    1. one letter addressing your academic abilities and experiences
    2. one letter addressing your teaching and/or professional experiences

Admissions Decision: The admissions decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

International Applicant Additional Requirements
  • Official original proof of your degree
  • A copy of your passport biographical page
  • Official test scores for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic. Test scores must be dated within two years of submitting your application.
    • TOEFL minimum score is a 250 for a computer based test, 600 for a paper based test and 96 for the Internet based test 
    • IELTS minimum score is 7.0 overall
    • PTE minimum score is 55 overall
  • Financial documentation — International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
  • An official bank statement

All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application, and must be dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.

Are you in China and unable to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL?

If you currently in China and unable to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL tests because they are cancelled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the University at Buffalo will accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) for proof of English proficiency. This test can be taken online, in your own home. More information can be found on the Graduate School’s website.

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Tuition Information
University Computing Standards

You are required to have daily access to a reliable broadband connection and a computer that meets university computing standards. You are also expected to have basic computer competency before beginning your coursework.