Binghamton University was one of the first schools in the U.S. to offer a university-wide Certificate of Completion in College/University Teaching. With the addition of the Certificate of Completion in Community College Teaching, we are better able to support the professional development of graduate students who are interested in faculty positions at 4-year and 2-year higher education institutions. SUNY Broome (formerly known as Broome Community College) is the initial partner for this certificate program, but students may work with any community college.
The certificate may be integrated into academic studies at any point in a current degree-seeking graduate student's academic career at Binghamton University. This certificate provides depth and experience for individuals wishing to teach at the community college level. Please note that this certificate of completion is not affiliated with the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership (TLEL) and does not lead to New York State teaching certification.
Requirements
Each student's plan of study, as described in the learning contract, can be tailored to meet the student's academic and professional goals. The Graduate School at Binghamton University must approve the student's plan of study before the student begins the program.
This certificate requires a total of at least 12 credits. Students must take GRD 676 and at least one of the following courses: GRD 671 and GRD 672.
GRD 676: The Community College - 4 credits
This course covers the mission of community college, type of governance, financial
structure, challenges for community college, student needs, learning styles, developing
a learning environment, supplementary support for students, the role of advising,
and related topics. Prerequisites: Graduate status or permission of the instructor.
GRD 671: Instructional Design Basics - 4 credits
Readings and exercises lead students through the process of developing a course using
principles of instructional design. Topics include: What is intelligence? How do your
students learn? How does prior learning affect the acquisition of new information?
How will you use technology and other teaching tools? How will you assess learning?
Appropriate for college level instruction and also secondary level teachers. Prerequisites:
Graduate status or permission of the instructor.
GRD 672: Fostering Intellectual Character - 4 credits
Readings and exercises lead students through the process of developing a course that
fosters intellectual character. Topics include: who are today's college students?;
what is "smart?"; initiating a culture of thinking; developing thinking routines;
instructor as a model of thinking; learning to think by talking; faculty who make
a difference. Appropriate for college level instruction and also secondary level teachers.
Prerequisites: Graduate status or permission of the instructor.
Application
To declare your intent to pursue the certificate, develop and submit your learning contract. Your learning contract will be a proposal (no longer than 2 pages in length) documenting how and when you intend to fulfill the requirements for the teaching certificate of completion. You will work closely with your graduate director to create this document. There are various ways to fulfill the requirements, and your plan should be individualized for your own course of study. The creation of the learning contract facilitates the development of a plan that is meaningful and appropriate for you. Once you have written your learning contract, submit copies to your graduate director and to the Graduate School at graduate@binghamton.edu.
Completion
As you progress, be sure to document all activities related to your progress. We recommend that you make copies of all documents.
When you have completed the requirements, submit all documentation to your department. Once your department has confirmed your successful completion of the requirements, please submit written notification of your completion signed by your graduate director and a copy of your portfolio to the Graduate School with the Certificate of Completion Portfolio Form. You can download the form from the Forms section of the Graduate School website.
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact Associate Dean Andreas Pape in the Graduate School at apape@binghamton.edu.
