What is the Graduate Student Pedagogy Course?

The Graduate Student Pedagogy Course is a graduate student professional development course that prepares Teaching Assistants, Graduate Assistants, PhD Candidates, and Postdocs for teaching at TCU and beyond. There are six required meetings over the course of the semester. Students who complete the course requirements will receive a certificate of completion.

There are no prerequisites for this course.

What Are the Benefits?

In this professional development course, graduate students create learning outcomes, draft course materials (syllabi, assignment sheets, rubrics), and examine teaching as a reflective practice through teaching observations and development of a teaching philosophy statement.

Course Overview

During the Course

Throughout the course there will be six in-person meetings to provide hands-on practice with embedded active learning strategies and course preparation assignments. Approximate time spent on readings and assignments outside of the meetings will be 8–10 hours per month.

Brief overview of the meeting topics:

  • Introduction & Outcomes
  • Syllabus & Accessibility
  • Active Learning Strategies
  • Assignments & Lesson Plans
  • Classroom Scenarios
  • Teaching Philosophies & Reflective Practice
  • Teaching Portfolios

By the end of the course, students will:

  • Write measurable outcome statements
  • Create a syllabus for a course in their discipline with standard elements
  • Design a detailed assignment sheet with specific criteria and expectations
  • Construct an assignment sheet and corresponding lesson plan
  • Develop a teaching philosophy statement that reflects this course’s work
  • Observe an experienced instructor in their field and write reflective observations
  • Assemble a teaching portfolio that includes reflection about personal pedagogy

After the Course

All students who complete the Graduate Student Pedagogy Course will receive a certificate of completion. Students are encouraged to revise materials developed during the course based upon feedback provided, and they will be offered ongoing support from the Koehler Center staff.

Registration & Dates

Who Can Register?

Any graduate student or post-doc can register for this course. This is a free professional development opportunity the Koehler Center provides to the TCU graduate student community.

However, registration is capped and tends to fill quickly, so please register early if you wish to participate.

How to Register

Before registering, please confirm that you are able to attend the required class meetings.

  • Fall 2022 Meeting Dates: 9/23, 9/30, 10/21, 11/04, 11/18, 12/9 (Fridays)
  • Meeting Time: 1:30-4:00 PM

To register, please complete and submit the form.