ACUE Certificate in Effective Teaching Practice Framework
The Certificate in Effective Teaching Practice Framework has been paused. More information will be posted when available.
About the Course in Effective Teaching Practices (ETP)
U of T faculty can obtain the Certificate in the Effective Teaching Practice Framework by completing the Course in Effective Teaching Practices (ETP), a nine-month course that combines 25 asynchronous online modules, in-person and synchronous online learning opportunities, and a community of practice. The ACUE course is a partnership between the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation (CTSI) at U of T, and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), and endorsed by the American Council on Education.
Unit heads (Deans/Chairs/Program Directors) are asked to nominate up to 3 instructors for this program.
Course Details and Time Commitment
The ACUE curriculum is appropriate for faculty who teach in any discipline. Participating in the ACUE course requires a significant time commitment:
- Attend the in-person Program Launch
- Complete 25 modules, on average one module per week
- Spend up to three hours per week on each module
- Implement teaching practices into their own courses throughout the academic year
- Attend four course workshops led by CTSI facilitators
The course is comprehensive in scope and organized around four blocks of study, addressing essential teaching skills and knowledge that are fundamental to university educator success:
- Promoting Active Learning
- Inspiring Inquiry and Preparing Lifelong Learners
- Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Learning Environment
- Designing Learner-Centred and Equitable Courses
You can learn more about the course and the content of each module on the ACUE website.
Cost and What's Included
The cost per faculty member is $ 2,000. Included within the cost for the ACUE course is:
- 25 online modules completed in four blocks
- “Certificate in the Effective Teaching Practice Framework” awarded upon completion of all 25 modules; the Certificate is offered through ACUE and endorsed by the American Council on Education
- Built-in assessments graded by an ACUE Reader (personal written reflections that examine how the course information can be applied in faculty members’ own teaching practice; ACUE Readers are experts in postsecondary pedagogy and accomplished teachers themselves)
- Participation in a community of professional practice
- Access to the ACUE course materials for at least 1 year past the end of the course (as long as the participant completes all 25 modules)
Registration Process
Participation is open to all continuing appointment faculty in both the Tenure Stream and the Teaching Stream who will be teaching in the Fall XXXX term and/or the Winter XXXX term. However, priority will be given to pre-tenure/pre-continuing status and pre-promotion faculty.
Steps to confirm participation:
- Unit heads (Deans/Chairs/Program Directors) are asked to nominate up to 3 instructors for this program. Unit heads can reserve course spaces and provide tentative faculty member names by completing the online form.
- CTSI will be in touch to provide additional information once the membership of the cohort is complete and will confirm faculty members and payment details ($2,000/spot) with the unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply?
The ACUE course is open to all U of T continuing appointment faculty in both the Tenure Stream and the Teaching Stream. Priority will be given to full-time pre-tenure/pre-continuing status and pre-promotion faculty. Anecdotal evidence suggests that instructors with at least two years’ experience teaching at U of T find significant benefit from taking the course.
Do instructors have to be teaching at the time of taking the course?
Yes. To be nominated, faculty must be teaching in the Fall XXXX and/or Winter XXXX term. The ACUE course is designed so that participants learn, implement, reflect upon, and refine their use of evidence-based teaching techniques and approaches as they are teaching, working through the modules in a timed sequence.
Who should submit the nomination if an instructor is cross-appointed to two departments?
I have already completed the ACUE course. Can I apply again?
You are not eligible to reapply if you have already taken the course.
What is a realistic expectation of a time commitment for the ACUE course?
To allow sufficient space in an instructor’s schedule for this course, it is highly recommended that faculty be able to commit 3 hours per week for module work. There are week-long breaks embedded in the course. Bi-monthly 90-minute webinars/workshops are also part of the course.
What is the cost to the department/Unit?
The structure of the program was developed such that Units show their support for their participating faculty by contributing the $2000/person course fee, which partially covers the cost of the course.
What type of coursework does the ACUE program involve?
Faculty will complete mandatory modules and have numerous opportunities to receive support from U of T facilitators and build community with colleagues in their cohort. Here are some key tasks and activities:
- Complete all 25 required asynchronous modules in the ACUE course that are comprised of weekly readings, videos that provide concrete examples of instructional practices in action, implementation resources, and reflections.
- Implement teaching practices during the time of the course; in some cases, faculty may choose to “Plan to Implement” in a future course.
- Participate in bi-monthly webinars/workshops with course facilitators and cohort members focusing on courses modules (in-person and online).
What topics do the ACUE course modules cover?
For more information, see ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practices Framework. The ACUE course will focus on in-person teaching; however, each module integrates parallel online teaching resources.
How long will participants have access to ACUE course resources?
Course takers will have access to all ACUE modules and resources for at least 1 year past the end of the course (as long as the participant completes all 25 modules).
Will the ACUE course be offered again next year?
The University of Toronto hopes to continue its partnership with ACUE beyond the current multi-year agreement which will be ending in 2025. At this time, it is not yet known whether this or a similar opportunity will be offered in 2025–26.
Previous Faculty Participant Reflections
Watch our 2022–23 ACUE-Certified faculty speaking about their course experience. Featuring:
- Christine Wong, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Health and Society, UTSC
- Ania Harlick. Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Physics, Arts & Science
- Jaimal Thind, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Mathematical and Computational Sciences, UTM
"This has been an excellent course to refresh and re-energize my skills and knowledge and also provide me with tools to help to be a stronger mentor to my fellow faculty colleagues."
"The ACUE course went above my expectations. I was overwhelmed by the amount of well-researched resources that were available. This course is a must for educators to get to the next level."