Have questions about the University Teaching Certificate? We’ve got answers!

FAQs

• What is the UTC Program?

  The UTC Program is a two-quarter program offered through GradSuccess. It is designed to assist graduate students in developing university level teaching and lecturing strategies, designing a teaching philosophy, and becoming members of the professional teaching community. The goal of the UTC courses is to equip graduate students with the necessary skills to be both outstanding scholars and teachers in their continued work in academia.

• Is the UTC Program offered for credit?

  Yes. Students accepted into the program will receive 4 units of credit for GDIV 301 and 2 units of credit for GDIV 302, for a total of 6 units over the Fall-Winter or Winter-Spring quarters.

• Are there graded assignments?

  Yes. You are required to complete a series of assignments, including weekly readings and a Teaching Portfolio at the end of the second quarter of the program. You will receive a “satisfactory” on your transcript when all assignments are completed.

• What happens if I do not complete all requirements?

  If you do not complete all requirements, you will receive a “no credit” on your transcript, and you will not receive a University Teaching Certificate.

• When will classes meet?

  The meeting times for the Fall 2026 GDIV 301 course will be Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11:00am–12:20pm. For GDIV 302 during Winter 2027, there will be at least three required meetings, and these times will be decided based on when enrolled students are available to meet. The course meeting times for the Winter 2027-Spring 2027 cohort will be determined at a later date.

• How would I benefit from receiving a University Teaching Certificate?

  The UTC Program is highly competitive. The topics it covers are designed to enhance participants’ understanding of teaching pedagogy. Moreover, the hands-on experience allows students to demonstrate mastery of key theory and concepts. Students will develop a Teaching Portfolio during the courses. Those who complete the program are awarded a certificate that is signed by the TADP Specialist and UTC Coordinator. In addition to the certificate, students who choose to undergo a teaching observation can receive a letter of recommendation from the TADP Specialist.

   

• Who is eligible to apply for the UTC Program?

  Graduate students and postdocs in good academic standing from all colleges and departments are eligible to apply. Applicants must have three quarters of prior teaching experience at UCR or other institutions, or they may complete the Stay TA Ready Program or attend the Teaching Development Track of the Teaching Careers Week event held in Spring quarter. If you have additional questions about these requirements, please contact the UTC Coordinator (utc@ucr.edu).

• Do I have to supply my three most recent sets of teaching evaluations?

  Instead of submitting your teaching evaluations online, the application will prompt you to grant the UTC Coordinator and TADP Specialist access to your UCR teaching evaluations. If you have teaching evaluations from institutions other than UCR, you may upload these documents during the application process.

• Are teaching evaluations from outside UCR acceptable?

  Yes. Formal teaching evaluations from other institutions are acceptable and can be uploaded to your application form. 

• Can my recommender send a letter of recommendation directly to the program?

  Yes. To preserve the confidentiality of your letter, please have your recommender send it directly to the UTC Coordinator at utc@ucr.edu. The UTC Coordinator will be emailing your recommender directly to request a letter.

• Is the UTC Program available to students pursuing a Master’s degree?

  Yes. Master’s degree students are also encouraged to apply for the UTC program.

• Is the UTC Program available to Postdoctoral fellows?

  Yes. Postdoctoral fellows are also encouraged to apply for the UTC program. Postdoctoral fellows are eligible for the certificate as well as a letter of recommendation, but are ineligible for the 6 credit units which only graduate students can receive.

• How do I apply for the UTC Program?

  All application information for the UTC program can be found on the Application Page.

• Is there any cost involved?

  All required course readings will be provided online for free.

• If I begin the UTC Program this year but don’t complete it, can I satisfy my remaining requirements next year?

  No. Aspects of the UTC program may change from year to year, so certain seminars or other requirements may not be consistently available. A new application packet would be required for consideration for the UTC program for the following year.

• Will the program be offered again next year?

  Yes. The UTC Program is offered twice every year: first during Fall-Winter and second during Winter-Spring.

• What courses do I need to take to complete the University Teaching Certificate?

  Students accepted into the UTC Program will be enrolled in GDIV 301 in the first quarter of the program, and GDIV 302 in the second quarter. GDIV 301 will be structured like any graduate-level seminar. Students will be expected to arrive to class promptly, having completed all reading assignments ahead of time, and be prepared to participate actively. GDIV 302 will be structured like an independent study class with students designing their Teaching Portfolio. There will be at least three required meetings during Spring quarter, and these times will be decided based on when enrolled students are available to meet.

• If I am not accepted into the UTC Program this year, will my application stay on file?

  No, a new application packet would need to be submitted.