Frequently Asked Questions

Teaching Certificate |  MECCP Certificate  |  i-fellows

Teaching Certificate FAQ

1. Who is eligible for the Graduate Certificate in College Teaching?
2. What courses do I need to complete to obtain the Certificate?
3. Does prior teaching experience count for the 3 s.h. of Practicum in College Teaching?
4. How long does it take to complete the course work?
5. How do I register for one or more of the courses in this program?
6. How do I set up the Practicum in College Teaching?
7. How do I register for a Practicum in College teaching?
8. What happens if I change my plan of study?
9. What happens if I decide to withdraw from the program?
10. What happens when I've completed all the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in College Teaching?

MECCP Certificate

1. Who is eligible for the Multi-Cultural Education and Culturally Competent Certificate?
2. What courses do I need to complete to obtain the Certificate?
3. Can I take the Introductory course and Electives simultaneously?
4. How long does it take to complete the course work?
5. How do I apply to participate in this program?
6. What is the criteria for choosing applicants?
7. What happens if I change my plan of study?
8. What happens if I decide to withdraw from the program?
9. What happens when I've completed all the requirements for the Multi-Cultural Education and Culturally Competent Practice?

i-fellows FAQ

1. Who is eligible for the i-fellows program?
2. What courses do I need to complete?
3. How do I register for i-fellows?
4. Do I have to enroll in the Graduate Teaching Certificate Program if I am in the i-fellows program?
5. What makes i-fellows unique?
6. How much participation is necessary to be an i-fellow?

Teaching Certificate Answers

1. Who is eligible for the Graduate Certificate in College Teaching?
   All University of Iowa Ph.D. students enrolled in the Graduate College (or students pursuing other terminal degree) are eligible.
2. What courses do I need to complete to obtain the Certificate?
   A minimum of 12 semester hours are required. Refer to required course work for more information on individual courses.
3. Does prior teaching experience count for the 3 s.h. of Practicum in College Teaching?
   Previous teaching experience will not waive the 3 s.h. of Practicum in College Teaching.
4. How long does it take to complete the course work?
   Full-time students can typically complete the course work in 2 to 4 semesters.
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5. How do I register for one or more of the courses in this program?
   Print a copy of the registration form, meet with your advisor to seek his/her assistance in incorporating the coursework for the Graduate Certificate in College Teaching into your plan of study. After you've obtained your advisor's signature, you can submit your registration form to the Office of Graduate Teaching Excellence, and register for classes according to your plan of study.
6. How do I set up the Practicum in College Teaching?
   The Practicum in College Teaching is done in conjunction with your advisor in your major department. You will need to complete two practica with two different professors. Details concerning the goals and objectives for the practicum are to be arranged with your advisor and the professor with whom you are completing the practicum.
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7. How do I register for a Practicum in College teaching?
   Check to see if your department offers a class entitled Practicum in College Teaching. If not, contact us.
8. What happens if I change my plan of study?
   Any changes to the plan of study may be made by choosing the Plan of Study form on the program website.
9. What happens if I decide to withdraw from the program?
   There is no penalty for withdrawing from the program. We would ask that you notify the office as soon as you know that you will not be completing the program so that we may adjust our enrollment planning projections.
10. What happens when I've completed all the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in College Teaching?
    Once all required coursework has been completed students are required to setup an advisory committee, which includes the student's major advisor, to review the student's portfolio of work and recommend awarding of the certificate. Please see "Steps to Complete the Graduate Certificate" for further details.
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MECCP Certificate Answers

1. Who is eligible for the Multi-Cultural Education and Culturally Competent Certificate?
   Students currently enrolled in the Graduate College or students who currently possess a Bachelor’s Degree and are admitted to the Graduate College.
2. What courses do I need to complete to obtain the Certificate?
   A minimum of 15 semester hours are required for this certificate. Students are required to take an introduction to Multiculturalism and Culturally Competent Practice (7X:XXX) and a Capstone Course : Research and Application in Multiculturalism and Cultural Competent Practice (7X:XXX). In addition, students may choose electives from various departments in the Graduate College depending on their area of interest. Approved elective courses are listed on the plan of study webpage. If electives are taken prior to the introductory course they will not count.
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3. Can I take the Introductory course and Electives simultaneously?
   Yes, you may take the Introductory course and Electives at the same time however, if the electives are taken prior to the introductory course they will not count.
4. How long does it take to complete the course work?
   Full time students can generally complete the course work in 2-4 semesters, 15 credit hours are required to fulfill the requirements.
5. How do I apply to participate in this program?
   View the Powerpoint presentation at the Office of Graduate Teaching – MECCP website then follow the instructions to complete the application.
6. What is the criteria for choosing applicants?
   Once the application is submitted with advisor’s signature, the statements of intent to complete and contribution of this program to the student’s plan of study are evaluated by the Coordinator of the Multicultural Education and Culturally Competent Practice. Should an applicant not be accepted into the MECCP program, the student may appeal to the Director of the MECCP program.
7. What happens if I change my plan of study?
   Any changes to the plan of study may be made by choosing the Plan of Study form on the program website.
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8. What happens if I decide to withdraw from the program?
   There is no penalty for withdrawing from the program. We would ask that you notify the office as soon as you know that you will not be completing the program so that we may adjust our enrollment planning projections.
9. What happens when I've completed all the requirements for the Multi-Cultural Education and Culturally Competent Practice?
   Once all of the course work has been completed, the completion document may be filled out on the program website. When the form has been filled out and signed by your advisor, return it to the Office of Graduate Teaching Excellence. The Office will verify that the requirements have been met and forward the paperwork onto the Graduate College with the recommendation of certification award. You will receive recognition of the certificate on your college transcript and an actual certificate will be awarded to you.
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i-fellows Answers

1. Who is eligible for the i-fellows program?
   All first year College of Education Ph.D. students.
2. What Courses do I need to complete?
   No courses are required to be an i-fellow. Community-building activities and professional development activities are offered during the four-year i-fellows program.
3. How do I register for i-fellows?
   Registering for i-fellows is easy! Complete the i-fellows online application form.
4. Do I have to enroll in the Graduate Teaching Certificate Program if I am in the i-fellows program?
   No, the Graduate Teaching Certificate Program is a separate program offered by the Office of Graduate Teaching Excellence. We do strongly recommend that you take advantage of the opportunity to earn the Certificate as a part of your graduate experience.
5. What makes i-fellows unique?
   i-fellows is an innovative program that provide camaraderie, community, commitment, and career success. After analysis of the 2009-2010 data of first year Ph.D. students in the College of Education we found that i-fellows have a stronger sense of cohesion and had greater opportunity to participate in community service activities. i-fellows prepares Ph.D. students for the rigors of working as future professors.
6. How much participation is necessary to be an i-fellow?
   Attendance of i-fellows events are completely voluntary, but program benchmarks are reviewed with members on an annual basis. There is a great deal of autonomy and choice with events that members attend. It is expected that member's knowledge about the academy and their teaching abilities will improve with active participation.
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