Teaching and Learning in Engineering Graduate Certificate
Our Program
A graduate certificate for Teaching and Learning in Engineering is offered by Purdue's School of Engineering Education (ENE), the world's first academic unit to offer an engineering education Ph.D. program. Originally designed to enhance the value of candidates seeking faculty positions, the certificate is sought by engineering and other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) faculty as well as industry professionals who wish to enhance their approach to teaching (in both formal and informal educational roles). It fills knowledge/skill gaps for current faculty; doctoral students considering a faculty career; and industry or government employees wishing to transition to academia.
The program is offered both online and on Purdue's main campus in West Lafayette.
Outcomes for this program include the enhanced capability to:
- Think critically about teaching
- Streamline course design to align outcomes, assessment, and instruction
- Apply state-of-the-art teaching methods to improve student education
- Identify and work with mentors to deepen your understanding of teaching through feedback
- Succeed as an engineering or STEM educator
Our Curriculum
The 10-credit-hour certificate program can be completed in 3 to 4 semesters. Four of the courses (ENE 506, 685, 687 and either 695 or 595) are required. ENE 685 and 695 are offered in the fall and ENE 506, 595, and 687 are offered in the spring. See course descriptions below.
Students frequently pair this graduate certificate program to their graduate program. Please note that students may apply to two graduate-level programs at the same time, but may only start their first semester in one with the second program starting a semester later. For instance, a student may apply and be admitted into both the Chemical Engineering Professional Master's Program and the Teaching and Learning in Engineering Teaching Certificate program. The certificate program, however, will not begin until the student's second semester per Graduate School rules.
For those who wish to take a deeper academic dive into engineering education, we offer an online Master of Science in Engineering Education (MSENE) program as well as an in-person Ph.D. in Engineering Education program for students on Purdue's main campus in West Lafayette.
ENE 50600, Content, Assessment and Pedagogy (3 credit hours)
Teaches you how to develop a course from beginning to end and guides you through the process of developing an instructional unit in your field.
ENE 59500, Exploring Alternative Career Paths as an Engineering Educator (3 credit hours)
Covers career path options and some important skills for engineering or STEM professionals who want to communicate technical information to students, teachers, the public, policymakers, industry employees, etc., but not necessarily from a formal faculty position.
ENE 68500, Engineering Education Methods (3 credit hours)
Provides you with a variety of techniques for teaching courses that are both engaging and effective.
ENE 68700, Mentored Teaching in Engineering (1 credit hour)
Enables you to deepen your understanding of teaching and learning through feedback and reflection as you perform your regularly assigned teaching duties.
ENE 69500, Succeeding as an Engineering Professor (3 credit hours)
Covers other skills valuable to faculty members such as writing proposals, selecting and mentoring graduate students, and managing projects.
Criteria for Admissions
Applicant must meet one (1) of the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor's degree* in a STEM discipline with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale AND have extensive experience in a technical position in industry, a government agency, or an academic institution
- Hold a post-baccalaureate degree* in a STEM discipline
- Be an enrolled grad student* in a STEM discipline
- Teach college-level STEM courses*
*Degrees from or positions at an accredited university in the U.S. or equivalent institution in another country.
Application Requirements
- Transcripts of all universities attended (original language and English translation)
- An academic statement of purpose
- One letter of recommendation
- A personal history statement
- A professional resume or CV
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (international students only)/Graduate School English Proficiency Requirements
- Concurrent Graduate Program Request (Graduate School Form 18)—completed by current grad students only
How to Apply
All applicants—both current graduate students and new—must first apply through the Purdue Graduate School application process, pay the application fee, and be admitted to the Graduate Certificate Program.
Deadline: Rolling with applications reviewed upon submission
When applying, make the following selections:
- Location: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
- Proposed Graduate Major: Engineering Education
- Area of Interest: [Do not select an option]
- Enrollment Objective: Certificate Program
- Degree Objective: Teaching and Learning in Engineering Graduate Certificate
Online Tuition
Resident of Indiana: $1,139 per credit hour
Nonresident of Indiana: $1,459 per credit hour
Domestic students and permanent residents may qualify for the following types of financial aid:
- U.S. federal financial aid
- Military, veterans, and military-connected students