G-CCT-C - Certificate in College Teaching

The Certificate in College Teaching (CCT) Program, administered within The Graduate School, is available for enrolled PhD students in any department or program of study. This program makes use of both departmental training and resources as well as The Graduate School programming. The certificate in college teaching is being offered in order to recognize and validate professional development activities undertaken by PhD students and add competitiveness and value to PhDs awarded to Duke graduate students.

The goals of the CCT program are to facilitate and recognize graduate students’ completion of

• sustained, systematic pedagogical training that promotes;

• current best practices in teaching and learning;

• appropriate use of instructional technology;

• systematic assessment of student learning outcomes;

• a reflective teaching practice including peer observation; and

• development of materials suitable for use in applying for teaching positions after graduation.

Application Information

Applications can be made at any time for the program, which should take about a year to complete; this may vary, though, as opportunities for gaining teaching experience vary across departments. Typically, PhD students close to or beyond their prelims (or equivalent) would be well-situated to enroll. However, if students have teaching responsibilities early in their program (as in the first or second year), it would make sense to enroll then. The latest that an application can be made is before Drop/Add of the semester in which a PhD student intends to graduate; a much earlier application (as in at least a year or more before) is recommended.

For more information, visit gradschool.duke.edu/professional-development/programs/certificate-college-teaching.