Certifications

CIRTL Certificates are nationally recognized certifications that demonstrate a commitment to evidence-informed teaching and centering and supporting learners (especially diverse learners) and learning mechanisms in your teaching. A CIRTL Certificate is something you can put on your CV and LinkedIn profile, and we hope to someday soon be able to add this to your UMBC transcript.

Levels of Certificates

 

Associate

This initial level is the foundation of teaching and learning.

Associate Requirements:

  • Four activities (workshops or courses) across topics on pedagogical practices
  • One additional activity (workshop or course) focused on Social Responsibility can include any of the following:
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • Ethics
  • A teaching philosophy statement and Cover Letter

These activities can be offered by UMBC (CIRTL, Promise, Faculty Development Center), regional CIRTL partners (such as UMCP, JHU, or Howard University), and the national CIRTL network. These activities can be face-to-face or online.

 

Practitioner (Requires Associates Certificate)

The second level of CIRTL certification demonstrates more profound knowledge and skills in quality teaching and learning methodologies and practices.

Practitioner Requirements:

  • Associate certificate
  • Five activities (workshops or courses) across topics on pedagogical topics
    • At least two activities demonstrating teaching experience or learning about educational research:
      • Any workshop on educational research/Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
      • Actual teaching experience
        • May be TA, guest lecturer, or instructor of record
        • Maybe on the UMBC campus or another college/university
        • May be face-to-face or online delivery
      • Planning Your Teaching as Research Project course (offered online at CIRTL.net or UMBC)
    • At least one activity focused on diversity, diverse learners, or culturally responsive teaching and learning
  • Revised teaching philosophy statement

 

Scholar (Requires Practitioner Certificate)

This final level of CIRTL certification shows your commitment and experience in teaching and learning.

Scholar Requirements:

  • Practitioner Certificate
  • Three activities on teaching and learning (more advanced topics are recommended)
  • Teaching experience as an instructor of record
  • Develop a teaching portfolio
  • Implement and present a final Teaching as Research Project
    • The presentation can be a poster at CIRTL for all network TAR presentations or at a conference with a strand focused on teaching and learning.
    • Publication of the TAR project is highly desired.

 

While pursuing any certificate, please get in touch with the Director of CIRTL (jmedof1@umbc.edu) or a PROMISE staff member (promise@umbc.edu) if you want to be sure your selected activities will count toward certification.

Staying Connected

  • You can stay connected to the CIRTL at UMBC by following the CIRTL myUMBC Page: CIRTL at UMBC.
  • We are part of a more extensive network of educationists – the nationwide CIRTL network. Join in here: Nationwide CIRTL network