Certificate in Postsecondary Teaching

Enhance your effectiveness as a college teacher

Do you have a strong desire to teach in the postsecondary educational system? As a postsecondary faculty member, would you like to enhance your effectiveness in the classroom? Then consider the Certificate in Postsecondary Teaching!

This certificate will prepare you for the expanding roles and responsibilities of educators in traditional and adult settings and will provide you with:

Practical instructional techniques.
Assessment and evaluative tools.
Best practices for the classroom.
Knowledge and application of adult pedagogy.
Strategies for building a learning community.

Ideal learners

Individuals who have a strong desire to teach in the postsecondary educational system
Faculty who want to prepare for the expanding roles and responsibilities of educators in traditional and adult settings

Program design

Course work can be completed in 9 months.
Groups start in September and February of each year.

Courses

Examine the course descriptions below and imagine all the ways you could benefit professionally and personally from this certificate program. For course sequence, request a program calendar. Credits are listed in parentheses.

COMM605 • Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3)

Examination of the beginnings of interpersonal study, including Buber, Mead, Jourard, and Watzlawick. Analysis of the relationships between interpersonal communication and related areas: group, family, gender, and intrapersonal processes.

COMM721 • The Teaching Craft (4)

Examination of the art and craft of teaching. Development of an understanding of educational pedagogy, instructional methodology, and classroom management. Includes contrast of traditional and adult students, as well as an opportunity for course design. Learner presentations will be videotaped for individual assessment. Teaching as vocation will be considered.

COMM722 • Effective Teaching Online (3)

Introduction to the theory and tools of teaching online courses. Use of principles of good practice as a structural core to develop knowledge and skills necessary to effectively develop and teach an online course. Goal is to foster communication, collaboration, active learning, and prompt feedback. Emphasis is on personal connections, time on task, high expectations, and respect for diverse talents and ways of learning. Prerequisites: COMM605, COMM721.

COMM723 • Postsecondary Teaching Internship (5)

Classroom teaching at the postsecondary level under the supervision of a senior faculty member. Prerequisites: COMM605, COMM721, COMM722. Corequisite: COMM724.

COMM724 • Postsecondary Teaching Internship Seminar (3)

Development of reflective personal qualities, instructional and classroom management strategies and practices, and authentic assessment tools. Skills and knowledge include clarifying personal beliefs about teaching and learning, enhancement of communication skills, understanding of diverse learner skills, and the development of an effective teaching/learning environment. Teaching Interns will discuss professional ethics, identify teaching skills and areas for improvement, and create a professional development plan. Significant independent study work is expected in this course. Prerequisites: COMM605, COMM721, COMM722. Corequisite: COMM723.

Bethel University reserves the right to withdraw, modify, or add to the list of courses or the course descriptions listed above and to cancel any course 10 calendar days prior to the start date if minimum enrollment has not been met.

Priority Application Deadlines

Priority consideration is given to applicants who complete the application process by the priority application deadline. Applications will still be considered after the priority application deadline, but will be reviewed on a space-available basis. Additional starts will be scheduled if demand is high.

Start Dates                                    Priority Application Deadlines

September of each year                     August 1

February of each year                        December 15

Integrate faith and learning

At Bethel, students appreciate the freedom to explore learning from a Christian perspective. Within this framework, faith, ethics, and values are taken seriously. Spirited discussion, reflection on theory, and application of learning to real-world situations are essentials of the learning culture. Bethel encourages students to apply their learning to the whole person and exercise critical thinking skills that relate to all of life and work.

Bethel is committed to your success as an adult learner

You will be served in practical ways, including:

Admissions advisors who encourage students to reach their educational goals.
A single registration for the entire program.
An online textbook service.
Being part of a cohort which supports and maximizes learning.
Confirmed class schedule for the entire program.
Financial aid and payment plans make your education doable.
Resources and Services.

Admission Requirements 2007-08

Applicants are admitted under the requirements of the most current catalog at the time they last enter Bethel.

The Bethel University Certificate in Postsecondary Teaching program will consider applicants who:

Submit a completed Application for Admission form with the $25 nonrefundable application fee.
Have earned a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, are currently enrolled in a master’s program at a regionally accredited institution, or by consent of the program director.
Submit official transcripts from all previous undergraduate and graduate course work.
Have earned a GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
Submit a current resume.
Attend a Certificate in Postsecondary Teaching information session.
Submit two Admission References.
Submit a Computer Documentation form. Applicants are required to document access to a computer with the required capabilities and software for use throughout the program (see: Application forms for details).
Submit a Student Immunization Record form.
Submit a Request for Transfer of Credit form, if applicable.
Submit a Student Payment Options form.
Submit a TOEFL examination score report (required of all international applicants and all applicants whose primary language is not English). A minimum score of 550 is required on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based test.
Indicate acceptance of Bethel Community Expectations by signing the application form.
Interview with program faculty.

International Applicants: Additional Admission Requirements

An international applicant is any candidate who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a U.S. permanent resident alien. International applicants must:

Submit official evaluations of foreign transcripts from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member organization (www.naces.org) or from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International) (www.cgfns.org).

Submit a completed Certificate of Finances form and a copy of current bank statement(s) to show evidence of adequate funds to cover a minimum of one year’s full tuition and living expenses.
If an applicant is receiving funds from a sponsor(s), submit:

o Notarized Affidavits of Support (I-134).

o Letters of support from sponsors.

Submit a copy of I-94 (applicants currently in the U.S.).

Submit a copy of passport (applicants currently in the U.S.).

Submit a copy of current visa (applicants currently in the U.S.).

Submit documentation of health insurance.

If the applicant’s primary language is not English, have a required English language evaluation as part of the admission process.

U.S. Permanent Resident Alien Applicants: Additional Admission Requirement

U.S. permanent resident alien applicants must present the applicant's green card.

Meeting minimal entrance requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission. Exceptions to minimum criteria may be made at the discretion of the admissions committee.

How to get started

Attend an information session.
Have previous transcripts sent to Bethel for a FREE evaluation.
Partner with an advisor to complete the application process.

Application Forms

The application packet is available online, in a PDF format, or a print copy. Click on application.

Want more info?

Contact Bethel University's Graduate School:

Phone: 651.635.8000 or 800.255.8706, ext. 8000
Email: gs@bethel.edu