Kaufman Teaching Certificate Program

Program description

The Kaufman Teaching Certificate Program (KTCP) is an interactive workshop series intended for late-program graduate students and postdocs interested in academic careers or developing skills to support their teaching at MIT. The program was named in 2014 to honor Stephen P. Kaufman, a long-time supporter of the Teaching + Learning Lab.

KTCP consists of eight practice-based workshops in a single semester. By participating in these workshops, you will learn evidence-based teaching techniques grounded in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Topics include designing a course, preparing a lesson plan, assessing and providing feedback to students, and creating an effective and welcoming classroom climate along with others. Participants will actively practice these teaching skills through microteaching workshops, in which they will receive individual feedback from peers and teaching experts.

Participants will receive a certificate and letter from the Vice Chancellor upon completing all program requirements. The letter outlines the program, confirms completion of all program requirements, and can be submitted with applications for teaching positions as evidence of a commitment to teaching. To complete the program, participants must engage with all workshops and complete all pre- and post-workshop assignments.

Applications for the Spring 2024 program will open at noon on Monday, November 27 and close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, December 10. Once finalized, the Spring 2024 schedule will be posted below.

Note: The “apply” button only works during the specified application period.

Schedule

The Spring 2024 program schedule is below. All sections are planned to be held in person this semester.

Section 1 (Tuesdays, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm)
DateWorkshop
February 13(1) Course Design
February 27(2) Community & Belonging
March 5(3) Authentic & Aligned Assessments
March 12(4) Active Learning
March 19(5) Prior Knowledge & Scaffolding
March 25-29(6) Exploration Week
April 1-5, April 8-12Microteaching 1
April 23(7) Feedback
April 29-May 3, May 6-10Microteaching 2
May 14(8) Syllabus Construction

Section 2 (Wednesdays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm)
DateWorkshop
February 14(1) Course Design
February 28(2) Community & Belonging
March 6(3) Authentic & Aligned Assessments
March 13(4) Active Learning
March 20(5) Prior Knowledge & Scaffolding
March 25-29(6) Exploration Week
April 1-5, April 8-12Microteaching 1
April 24(7) Feedback
April 29-May 3, May 6-10Microteaching 2
May 15(8) Syllabus Construction

Section 3 (Thursdays, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm)
DateWorkshop
February 15(1) Course Design
February 29(2) Community & Belonging
March 7(3) Authentic & Aligned Assessments
March 14(4) Active Learning
March 21(5) Prior Knowledge & Scaffolding
March 25-29(6) Exploration Week
April 1-5, April 8-12Microteaching 1
April 25(7) Feedback
April 29-May 3, May 6-10Microteaching 2
May 16(8) Syllabus Construction

Section 4 (Thursdays, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
DateWorkshop
February 15(1) Course Design
February 29(2) Community & Belonging
March 7(3) Authentic & Aligned Assessments
March 14(4) Active Learning
March 21(5) Prior Knowledge & Scaffolding
March 25-29(6) Exploration Week
April 1-5, April 8-12Microteaching 1
April 25(7) Feedback
April 29-May 3, May 6-10Microteaching 2
May 16(8) Syllabus Construction

Section 5 (Fridays, 8:00 am – 10:00 am)
DateWorkshop
February 16(1) Course Design
March 1(2) Community & Belonging
March 8(3) Authentic & Aligned Assessments
March 15(4) Active Learning
March 22(5) Prior Knowledge & Scaffolding
March 25-29(6) Exploration Week
April 1-5, April 8-12Microteaching 1
April 26(7) Feedback
April 29-May 3, May 6-10Microteaching 2
May 17(8) Syllabus Construction

Eligibility

Priority will be given to applicants who will have fewer future opportunities to participate in the program (e.g., final year grad students, postdocs, etc.). Applications must be received by the deadline to be considered. If you have additional questions about the application process, review our Frequently Asked Questions.

Frequently asked questions

If you are unable to find the answer to your question below, please contact Dan Nocivelli at book@mit.edu.

I would like a certificate. Which path should I take: The Kaufman Teaching Certificate Program or Grad Teaching Development Tracks?

The goals of both KTCP and the workshop tracks are the same. However, the right program for you will depend on the kind of training you are looking for and the time left in your program or appointment.

Kaufman Teaching Certificate ProgramGrad Teaching Development Tracks
Intended for postdocs and late-program graduate students. Half of the seats reserved for postdocs, priority for all applicants based on remaining semesters in MIT appointments.Intended for early-program graduate students at MIT. Priority is given to those who have already completed a workshop track. 
All program requirements must be completed within one semester.Shorter time commitment per semester (2-3 workshops) Program can be completed over several years
Certificate awarded after the semester-long program.Letter of completion awarded after each workshop track. Certificate received after completing all 4 workshop tracks.
Can I take the KTCP along with the Grad Teaching Development Tracks?

The learning outcomes of KTCP and the complete set of workshop tracks are identical and there is significant overlap in the content of both programs. Graduate students who complete one or more workshop tracks will be ineligible for the KTCP and should plan to finish their certificate through the Grad Teaching Development Tracks. Graduate students in their last year who have completed some workshop track but will not be able to complete their certificate through the Grad Teaching Development Tracks may be considered for the KTCP.

How do microteaching sessions work?

During each two-week microteaching period (see schedules above), each section will gather in smaller groups of 3-5 people. During a 90-minute (or so) session, a participant will deliver their presentation and will also thoughtfully critique their colleagues’ presentations (guided, of course, by the section instructor who is present). Each participant is expected to attend one microteaching session in each two-week period.

The two week timeframe allows the instructor flexibility in scheduling all of their section’s small groups. During the regular workshops, each instructor will announce plans for scheduling these sessions.

I don’t have time for a 10-workshop program, but am still interested in learning more about teaching. What options do I have?

Besides the KTCP, MIT graduate students may apply to participate in Grad Teaching Development Tracks, which are shorter in length (only 2-3 workshops per track). Upon completing each track, participants receive a letter of completion. Participants who complete all four workshop tracks can also receive a Teaching Certificate, equivalent to that earned through the KTCP. 

We also host several events and workshops that are not associated with a certificate program. To learn more about these events, sign up for our newsletter.

How are applicants selected for KTCP?

The KTCP has two goals:

  1. to prepare future faculty for teaching outside of MIT and
  2. to provide training for current MIT instructors and TAs.

We are also committed to providing equal space for both graduate students and postdocs. We work to provide everyone who wants to an opportunity to participate in the program before leaving MIT. Applicants for whom this is among the last chances to take the program have priority, followed by those with confirmed, upcoming teaching appointments at MIT.

Applications are not selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority will be given to applicants who will have fewer future opportunities to participate in the program (e.g. final year grad students, postdocs, etc.).

What kinds of questions are on the application?

The application collects basic contact information, information about your appointment at MIT, and information about any forthcoming teaching commitments you have. The applications also includes the following two short-answer questions with a 1500 character limit.

  • Describe your teaching responsibilities in the next two semesters. (Only shown if applicable)
  • What are two teaching practices or skills you hope to learn by completing this program?
When will KTCP be offered again?

The KTCP is offered every fall, beginning in September, and every spring, beginning in February. The schedule for the current session is shown above. The schedule of following sessions will be determined about four months before the session begins.

Is KTCP a credit-bearing subject? Does it appear on my transcript?

No, KTCP is not a credit-bearing subject and you do not receive a grade at the end. Completion is determined by attendance and completion of required homework. The program does not appear on your transcript, but upon completing the program you will receive a certificate from TLL and a letter from the Vice Chancellor attesting to the work you have done.

Is there a fee to apply for the KTCP? Is there a fee to take the program?

No, there is no fee to apply or enroll in the KTCP.

What is the time commitment for the program?

For each workshop, there are pre-workshop readings and tasks, as well as post-workshop assignments. You should plan to spend at least one hour preparing materials (reading and completing preparatory tasks) before each workshop. You should also plan to spend at least one hour to complete and upload each post-workshop assignment.

What are the program expectations?

In order to complete the program and receive a certificate, you must attend all workshops, participate in both microteaching sessions, and submit all required post-workshop homework assignments, including two microteaching reflections.

Will I be able to obtain a certificate if I need to miss a session?

Workshops are practice-based and interactive. If you miss an in-person session, it is difficult to compensate for these experiences. If you miss more than 3 in-person workshops, you will be asked to leave the program and rejoin in the following semester.

I do not have an affiliation with MIT. Can I participate in the KTCP?

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate non-MIT participants at this time.