Overview
The Preparing Future Faculty certificate program is coordinated and taught by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) but is a cooperative effort between CTL, the Office of the Graduate School and Mississippi State University Libraries. The program is intended to assist current graduate students in preparing for future faculty careers.
In order to earn the Preparing Future Faculty Program Certification, participants must attend the required class meeting dates and class activities. Please note the detailed schedule below.
Instructor Information
- Amy Barefield is an Instructional Resource Consultant with the Center for Teaching and Learning and an English instructor. She has twenty years of teaching experience in k-12 and higher education. (Email: abarefield@ctl.msstate.edu).
- Michael W. Seymour is a Professor of Landscape Architecture and a Faculty Associate with the Center for Teaching and Learning. He has thirteen years of teaching experience at MSU and is a Grisham Master Teacher. (Email: Michael.Seymour@msstate.edu).
- Linda Morse is a Professor of Educational Psychology, Emerita and has had extensive experience working in instructional design, development, and evaluation. She is the former Director of the CTL, a Grisham Master Teacher, and has served as a Research Fellow in the Social Science Research Center.
- Jim Dunne is a Professor of Physics and the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. He has twenty years of teaching experience and is a Grisham Master Teacher. (Email: jad54@msstate.edu).
Learning Objectives
- Participants will be able to:
- Analyze a class syllabus
- Identify active learning techniques for use in class
- Explain expectations regarding faculty roles and responsibilities
- Explain current thinking regarding best teaching practices
- Critically analyze an award-winning faculty member’s teaching
- Compose a teaching philosophy statement
- Recognize expectations regarding scholarly activities in higher education
- Prepare for an interview for a faculty position
- Evaluate their own instruction in terms of successes and difficulties
Participant Benefits
- Improved understanding of teaching and learning
- Improved understanding of faculty roles and responsibilities
- Interaction with peers and faculty across disciplines
- Improved preparation for faculty positions and the job market
Required Class Meeting and Due Dates
Note: All 11 class meetings throughout the year will be from 12-1:30 on Friday. Spring dates are tentative.
Fall 2018
| Date | Topic | Assignment Due |
| September 14 | Program Introduction/Luncheon | |
| September 21 | Getting Started in the Classroom and Disciplinary Principles | Reading and written reflection on basics of teaching and discussion of University policy and procedure |
| October 5 | Balancing Act | Reading and written reflection on faculty roles and responsibilities |
| October 19 | Quality Teaching | Reading and written reflection on quality teaching |
| November 2 | Teaching Observation | Written reflection on faculty observation |
Spring 2019
| Date | Topic | Assignment |
| January 25 | Research/Scholarly Activities/Grant Writing | |
| February 8 | Teaching Philosophy, Vitae and Portfolios | Teaching philosophy review and Draft |
| February 22 | Interviewing for Faculty Positions | Reading and reflection on jobs in Academia |
| March 22 | Teaching Capstone Discussion | Reading and reflection on challenges of teaching |
| April 5 | Teaching Capstone Discussion | Reflection on PFF program |
| April TBD | Etiquette dinner/Certificate Ceremony |
In addition to the class periods above, participants must attend two per semester of the Center for Teaching and Learning events (information and registration at ctl.msstate.edu/events) and two per semester of the Mississippi State University Libraries events (a list of eligible workshops will be provided). Participants must make sure to sign-in at each event in order to receive credit for attendance.
Optional Online Teaching Certification
In addition to the PFF certification, the Center for Teaching and Learning offers an online certification course, which we encourage candidates to complete. CTL 101 is an online training course that leads participants through some of the issues in quality online or distance instruction. Successful completion leads to distance/online certification. Delivered 100% online. Information and registration can be found at ctl.msstate.edu/events.
Resources (a more detailed listing will be available in program workbook):
- MSU Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President
- The Center for Teaching and Learning
- MSU Human Resources Management
- Mississippi State University Libraries
- MSU Office of Research and Economic Development
- MSU Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
- MSU Office of Research Compliance
- MSU Quality Enhancement Plan
- MSU Dean of Students
Application
Fill out the entire application form, electronically sign it, and send the form to your Advisor for his/her e-signature. The application should then go to your Department Head for his/her e-signature. Once all three signatures are completed, click the “Submit” button. The form will be sent to pff@ctl.msstate.edu. If you have problems submitting the form, you may attach it to an email and send to pff@ctl.msstate.edu and abarefield@ctl.msstate.edu.