Certificate in Effective University Instruction 2022-23

Unit heads (Deans/Chairs/Program Directors) are asked to nominate up to 3 instructors for this program

U of T faculty can obtain the Certificate in Effective University Instruction by completing the Course in Effective Teaching Practices (ETP), a nine-month course (September 2022 – May 2023) that combines 25 asynchronous self-paced online modules, in-person and synchronous online learning opportunities, and a community of practice. The ACUE course is a partnership between the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation (CTSI) at U of T, and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), and endorsed by the American Council on Education.

Frequently Asked Questions

Course Details and Time Commitment

September 2022 – May 2023

Participating in the ACUE course requires a significant time commitment:

  • Attend the (in-person) Program Launch on September 23rd
  • Complete 25 modules, on average one module per week
  • Spend up to three hours per week on each module
  • Implement teaching practices into their own courses throughout the academic year
  • Attend four course workshops, led by CTSI facilitators.

The course is comprehensive in scope and organized around four blocks of study, addressing essential teaching skills and knowledge that are fundamental to university educator success:

  • Promoting Active Learning
  • Inspiring Inquiry and Preparing Lifelong Learners
  • Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Learning Environment
  • Designing Learner-Centered and Equitable Courses

You can learn more about the course and the content of each module on the ACUE website.

The ACUE curriculum is appropriate for faculty who teach in any discipline.

Cost and What’s Included

Cost per faculty member is $800. Included within the cost for the ACUE course is:

  • 25 online modules completed in four blocks
  • “Certificate in Effective University Instruction” awarded upon completion of all 25 modules; the Certificate is offered through ACUE and endorsed by the American Council on Education
  • Built-in assessments graded by an ACUE Reader (personal written reflections that examine how the course information can be applied in faculty members’ own teaching practice)
  • Participation in a community of professional practice
  • Access to the ACUE course materials for up to three years following course completion.

Registration Process

Participation is open to all continuing appointment faculty in both the Tenure Stream and the Teaching Stream who will be teaching in the Fall 2022 term and/or the Winter 2023 term. However, priority will be given to pre-tenure and pre-promotion faculty.

Steps to confirm participation:

  1. Unit heads (Deans/Chairs/Program Directors) are asked to nominate up to 3 instructors for this program. Unit heads can reserve course spaces and provide tentative faculty member names by completing the online form (by August 2, 2022).
  2. CTSI will be in touch to provide additional information once the membership of the cohort is complete and will confirm faculty members and payment details ($800/spot) with the unit by August 29, 2022.

For further exploration of local incentives please contact Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education, Prof. Susan McCahan at susan.mccahan@utoronto.ca.

Please contact Kelly Gordon (kelly.gordon@utoronto.ca) with any questions regarding the program.

Submission Form

Please complete the online form to nominate up to 3 instructors in your department/Division.

 

Take a look at this 4 minute video of previous U of T ACUE faculty sharing their experiences:

ACUE Course comments: 2021-22 

From End-of Course Survey Comments:

“I realized that I was ‘guessing’ or ‘blindly trying’ a lot in terms of what seemed like small decisions on a weekly basis. I now feel that I am equipped to make more informed decisions about these so called small things – that can actually have huge impact. The intention brought more enjoyment to planning as well.”  

“This has been an extraordinarily important course for me. I really learned such a great deal about aspects of teaching I wasn’t very aware of. I am happy with the practices I have had an opportunity to implement. My teaching has certainly change to the better. Thank you for this course.”  

“The ACUE course went above my expectations. I was overwhelmed by the amount of well-researched resources that were available. This course is a must for educators to get to the next level.” 

“This was a great course. I have been teaching for over 20 years and still learned a ton – principles and practices that are not just relevant to online teaching but to teaching in-person as well. I have already recommended to my Dean that all junior faculty should be asked to take this course. I wish I had had it 20 years ago!”