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Certificate Curriculum

Teaching and Learning Innovation is excited to introduce its certificate curriculum. We have six certificates that allow you to pursue beneficial, in-depth, and in many cases, self-paced learning experiences and professional development.

These evidence-based certificates were developed by TLI staff using the most current research. They were then piloted by select UT faculty and staff members. Feedback from these individuals was used to improve each certificate program prior to its launch. We will continue to take into consideration all feedback that we receive from participants and use it to improve each certificate program on an annual basis.


Our Certificate Curriculum

Below you will find descriptions for each of the certificates.  To enroll, please click on the hyperlinked titles. You may also find our certificates by going directly to our Canvas Catalog site.

Asynchronous Certificates

Course-Based Assessment: This self-paced course contains three modules designed to introduce participants to the foundations of assessment design and planning at the course level. Topics include assessment planning for student and instructional improvement, equitability in assessment, and student-direct assessments. This course is beneficial for instructors interested in examining and recrafting their assessment practices to provide a student-centric approach to teaching, learning, and assessment.

Experiential Learning: This self-paced program provides an introduction to experiential learning and the University of Tennessee’s Experience Learning initiative. The certificate contains 5 modules that guide participants through experiential learning best practices and the student learning outcomes for the Experience Learning initiative. Both instructors experienced with EL pedagogy, and those new to it, will benefit from this foundational program.

Fostering the Volunteer Experience:  is a self-paced, asynchronous program that contains 6 modules designed to introduce participants to well-being pedagogy. The certificate focuses, in particular, on one model of well-being, PERMA, which is well-suited for the classroom context. 

Inclusive Teaching: The five-module Inclusive Teaching certificate is to provide professional development and guidance on implementing on inclusive teaching practices in the college classroom. In each session, individuals will develop a greater understanding of practices and approaches that motivate and engage all learners.

UT CIRTL Associate Level Online Course (specifically for Graduate Students and Post-Docs): This online course is for graduate students and post-doctoral associates interested in developing their understanding of evidence-based teaching practices and to do so at their own pace. Participants will design a class using appropriate instructional methodologies, examine personally held beliefs about teaching and learning, and develop a framework for growth throughout their teaching careers.

Synchronous Certificates

How to Teach Online for Graduate Students (specifically for Graduate Students and Post-Docs): This certificate is a joint venture in collaboration with the Office of Online Learning and Academic Programs (OLAP). During this five-part series, participants will learn the principles and practices associated with building an online course. It will include fundamentals of designing and teaching online courses, universal design for learning, and accessibility in online education, engaging students in online courses, and technology in the online course.

UT CIRTL: Facilitating Undergraduate Evidence-Based Learning (F.U.E.L.) (specifically for Graduate Students and Post-Docs): This 6-module professional development certificate introduces participants to evidence-based teaching and learning practices. Participants will design a class using appropriate instructional methodologies, examine personally held beliefs about teaching and learning, and develop a framework for growth throughout their teaching careers.


The Certificate “Experience”

For participants in the asynchronous certificates who would like more peer-to-peer engagement, opportunities will be made available through TLI’s Faculty Support Networks. Please visit our Faculty Support Networks webpage for more information.


Badging and Certification

Upon completion of the modules and assessments related to any certificate, the participant will be able to download a link to access a badge that they can attach to any electronic version of their CV. Additionally, participants will also be able to download a certificate that can serve as physical evidence of their completion.

Thank you for your interest in our curriculum. It is our pleasure to develop opportunities like these to support teaching and learning at UT. If you have any questions or comments you would like to share, please contact us at tli@utk.edu.