CIRTL Certificate Levels

Choose a unique pathway to teaching excellence

As a local chapter, we provide unique professional development opportunities specifically designed for the Wildcat community. Unlike many other institutions, we offer multiple pathways to achieve Practitioner Level. This is because we believe that teaching-as-research comes in many forms and is not a one-size-fits-all project. We also offer the accelerated Pathway Program for post-docs. 

Benefits of Participating 

  • Network with graduate students, postdocs, and faculty across CIRTL
  • Attend local and cross-network events, workshops, and courses
  • Learn evidence-based teaching practices and how to articulate them
  • Develop teaching-as-research (TAR) projects for potential publication or dissertation chapters
  • Earn certificates to enhance your portfolio and CV
  • Build valuable communication skills
  • Mentor new students or teach network classes in the future

Certification Levels

Earn Associate, Practitioner, or Scholar recognition through progressive workshops, courses, classroom research, and published teaching work—with digital credentials and certificates for your portfolio.

Associate - Describe & Recognize

Participation at this level focuses on establishing a strong foundation in teaching and learning by participating in three professional development activities. 

Reaching this level takes 1-2 semesters and requires meeting with the CIRTL team once a semester to discuss your goals and interests.

Associate Level: Select Three

  • Take a course on college teaching
  • Join a Faculty Learning Community (FLC)
  • Participate in a workshop on the CIRTL network
  • Submit a reflection about their learning on Brightspace

Practitioner - Engage

Participation at this level involves training in teaching-as-research (TAR), or learning to ask and answer questions about teaching and student learning. 

Completing this level takes an additional 1-2 semesters.

Practitioner Level: Select One

Scholar - Advance & Disseminate

At this level, you will enter the community of teacher-scholars by sharing your teaching with a public audience.

Scholar Level: Select One

  • A publication on a blog, journal, or website
  • A conference presentation, poster, or workshop

In addition to receiving a letter of congratulations, our CIRTL scholars are recognized in the CIRTL@Arizona newsletter and invited to network with other CIRTL scholars.