Graduate Program (& Advanced Certificate) Status
1st year
ENVS 6032 - Fall - 3 CEU credits
1st, 2nd or 3rd year
ENVS 6033 - Winter (and/or Fall in 2nd and 3rd years)- 3 CEU credits
Teaching and research experience is fundamental to developing concrete knowledge, understandings and practical skills for the advancement of a professional career in academia, consultancy, and other private and public institutions.
All students must enroll in the “Teaching and Research Practicum”. This Practicum is graded on a pass/fail basis. Three of the six CEU credits are generally earned by completing the 'Foundations in Teaching in Higher Education: Scholarship, Reflection and Innovation' course taught and organized by the Center for Teaching and Learning. This course is a unique opportunity to strengthen pedagogical understandings and to explore innovative teaching and learning forums.
The remaining three CEU credits may be earned through teaching and/or research assistantships, usually in the winter or spring terms of the first year. However, it is also possible to fulfill this part of the requirement in years two or three. Teaching Assistants (TAs) work closely with faculty mentors in teaching and learning activities including, for example, designing course(s) syllabi or class exercises/lessons, identifying class readings, guest lecturing, and grading papers or exams. Research Assistants (RAs) might work with faculty mentor(s) to support the implementation of research project work or help to formulate new research projects for funding proposals. Students may alternatively submit a formal request to the Practicum Coordinator to substitute the duties with comparable alternatives. Approval of substitution requests is at the discretion of the Practicum Coordinator.
CEU E-Learning Site: https://ceulearning.ceu.edu/course/view.php?id=10547
The Teaching and Research Practicum specifically aims to build the professional capacities of doctoral students for a career involving teaching and/or research.
- Understand teaching and research methodologies and approaches and reflect on their own assumptions about teaching and research;
- Acquire critical thinking skills and engage in self-reflection to develop systematic approaches to teaching and research;
- Design and implement effective learning experiences and research project elements;
- Assert particular skills based on specific teaching and research assistantship plan
Students need to complete the Teaching and Research Practicum in parallel with their other coursework. Students’ performance in the Teaching and Research Practicum will be monitored by the Practicum Coordinator and faculty mentors. The evaluation shall be based on faculty mentor feedback (and MSc student feedback where appropriate) complemented by student self-reflection in consultations with faculty mentors. In case of unsatisfactory performance, a ‘fail’ grade is given and the student is asked to undertake another assistantship to fulfill the Practicum requirements.