Graduate Certificate in
Teaching and Learning
Overview | Curriculum | Admission Criteria | Program ChecklistOverview »
The Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning provides graduate level professional course work in education leading to teacher licensure to address critical statewide (and national) shortages in the following subjects:
• Agriculture (Grades 6-12)
• Art (Grades PK-12)
• Biology (Grades 6-12)
• Business (Grades 6-12)
• Chemistry (Grades 6-12)
• Earth and Space Sciences (Grades 6-12)
• Family and Consumer Sciences (Grades 6-12)
• Mathematics (Grades 6-12)
• Modern Language (Grades PK--12)
• Music (Grades PK-12)
• Physics (Grades 6-12)
• Speech and Theatre (Grades 6-12)
The intent in developing this graduate certificate program is to attract qualified candidates to the profession of teaching who desire to gain both the theory and instructional best practices associated with high quality teaching and learning. Individuals having earned at least a baccalaureate degree in one (or more) of the above disciplines and possessing an interest in obtaining a teaching license will be able to demonstrate (upon completion of this graduate certificate program):
• The ability to provide different approaches to learning and create instructional opportunities that are equitable, based on developmental levels, and adapted to diverse learners (including those with exceptionalities).
• An understanding and use of a variety of appropriate instructional strategies to encourage, develop, and achieve various kinds of students’ learning including critical thinking, problem solving, and reading.
• Professionalism – the educator, as a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his or her choices and actions on others (e.g., students, parents, and other professionals in learning communities), actively seeks opportunities to grow professionally, and participates in the school improvement process.
[back to top]
Curriculum »
This program is a 20-credit hour curriculum that consists of three carefully articulated "blocks" of course work. The curriculum sequence provides:
• Contemporary pedagogical theory
• Practical insight into the needs of target learners
• Opportunities to participate in authentic school-based teaching/learning
• Professional reflective practice
The Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning consists of the coursework delineated below. While it is not required that the courses within either Block I or Block II be completed concurrently, it is a general expectation that the course work listed for Block I be completed before Block II. All courses in Blocks I and II must, however, be completed before enrolling in the Block III Internship semester. Questions concerning exceptions (or substitutions) should be directed to the administrator of the program (contact Dr. Lawrence C. Scharmann, lscharm@ksu.edu).
Block I
FSHS 506 Middle Childhood and Adolescence (3 credit hours)
EDCEP 715 Principles of Assessment (3 credit hours)
EDSP 710 Education of Exceptional Individuals (3 credits)
Block II
EDCEP 525 Interpersonal Relations (1 credit hour)
EDCI 786 Topics/Methods of Teaching Content and Reading
(2 credit hours)
EDCI 886 Seminar/History of American Education (3 credit hours)
OR Seminar/Philosophy of American Education (3 credit hours)
EDCI 991 Internship/Curriculum and Instruction (1 credit hour)
Block III
EDCI 991 Internship/Curriculum and Instruction (4 credit hours)
(Note: There are additional course substitutions approved in Modern Languages associated with the M.A. program option in second language acquisition – contact Dr. Robert Corum or Dr. Doug Benson for additional information.)
[back to top]
Admission Criteria »
Acceptance of students into the program leading to a Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning is contingent on being eligible for admission to the Graduate School and meeting the following specific program criteria:
1. Apply and be accepted as a non-degree student seeking the Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning (Note– if applicant seeks to apply Graduate Certificate course work to a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Modern Language’s Second Language Acquisition program, etc. a separate application should be made);
2. Represent a teaching field identified as a critical area of need;
3. Meet all undergraduate content requirements (or equivalent) for subject in which licensure is sought*;
4. Possess a baccalaureate (or equivalent) in the subject area in which licensure is sought;
5. Possess 2 years of post-baccalaureate work experience (note: this could be work as a graduate teaching assistant, paraprofessional educator, etc.);
6. Receive the support, through personal interview, of at least one member of the faculty sponsoring the Graduate Certificate;
7. Possess documented experiences working with youth;
8. Complete an online module delineating the forms, rubrics, and assessment requirements of the UG teacher education program (rationale permits waiver of DED 075 and EDSEC 200);
9. Demonstrate technology skills equivalent to DED 318.
* Some subject areas may require additional professional hours (e.g., Agriculture, Art, Business, Family and Consumer Sciences, Modern Language, Music, etc.)
[back to top]
Program Checklist »
Application and Admission
» Complete Graduate School Application, accompanying Statement of Objectives/Graduate Certificate Essay,* and supply all Undergraduate/Graduate transcripts.
* Statement of Objectives/Essay Responses: Use the following guiding questions to construct your statement of objective(s) and attach your responses to your application.
1. What is/are your reasons for seeking a teaching license?
2. What past and/or current experiences/activities with youth have contributed to your decision to seek a teaching license (e.g., tutoring, coaching, clubs, parent leader, etc)?
3. What past and/or current experience do you possess with public schools (e.g., paraprofessional, substitute teacher, volunteer, etc)?
4. What expertise do you possess in working with electronic technologies (e.g., use of iLife, desktop publishing, Photoshop, etc)?
5. How might your expertise in electronic technologies be useful to you in enhancing teaching and learning activities?
» Schedule Program Admission Interview (contact Dr. L.C. Scharmann, lscharm@ksu.edu, 364 Bluemont Hall)
» Schedule and Complete Review of UG Transcript by College of Education Licensure Officer (contact Ms. Di Murphy; dim@ksu.edu, 013 Bluemont Hall)
Curriculum Completion
» Participate in two levels of graduate internship split between high school and middle school (or high/middle school and elementary school for art, music, or modern languages); one of these must be at a school possessing a diversity index at or above the state median
» Complete Graduate Internship in Teaching and Learning Information Form (during the Block II semester of enrollment)
» Evidence of Negative TB test submitted
» Evidence of First Aid/CPR Certification
» Take and receive a passing score on Praxis II (content area exam administered by ETS)
» Take and receive a passing score on the Principles of Learning and Teaching Test (administered by ETS)
Graduate Certificate Completion/
Application for Teaching License
» Submission of Graduate Certificate Completion Form to Program Administrator (contact Dr. L.C. Scharmann, lscharm@ksu.edu, 364 Bluemont Hall)
» Application for Teaching License
(contact Ms. Di Murphy; dim@ksu.edu, 013 Bluemont Hall)
[back to top]
