GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION

About the Program

The Certificate of Engineering Education was established as a joint effort by the College of Engineering and College of Education to better equip graduate students with the skills necessary to teach engineering courses at the collegiate level.  

The certificate requires 12 credits, with courses offered in both the spring and fall terms, and is complimentary to graduate study in engineering and education.

What you learn ...

Foundational knowledge needed for quality teaching includes knowledge in four areas: content, learning theory, pedagogical theory, and measurement theory. In addition to knowledge, skills need to be developed to apply this knowledge to the classroom. The content knowledge comes from all the engineering classes students will have completed throughout their undergraduate and graduate courses in engineering.

The remaining knowledge and skills will be acquired through the curriculum of the Engineering Education Certificate. First, learning theory (CESP 820) provides the foundational knowledge of cognitive theory, behaviorism, motivation, epistemological beliefs, and cultural differences. Essentially, these are factors within the learner that need to be nurtured and guided to facilitate university level learning.
 
Second, pedagogical theory and application (CI 816) include socio-cultural learning, constructivism approaches, and curriculum development. Pedagogy is the application of learning theories to teaching. Knowledge of instructional strategies, classroom materials, collaborative learning, and advising are elements of teaching.
 
Third, a university faculty member must be able to monitor and evaluate the learning of students. The course in evaluation and program assessment (CESP 811) will provide knowledge and skills in test construction, evaluation of the test, interpretation of tests results, and subsequently modifications on instruction based on these interpretations. Program evaluation, another component of this course, enables graduate engineering students to take an active role in any university accreditation process. In other words, program evaluation skills are an added value to their degree when they enter the competitive market of university professorship.
 
Fourth, the internship (CI 816A) is the capstone activity for the Engineering Education Certificate. Ultimately, the engineering students need the opportunity to put their knowledge to use in authentic classroom situations. This ensures that they have the ability to apply their knowledge. It also allows them to gain experience under the joint mentorship from College of Education and College of Engineering faculty members.