Professional Development
Engaging in professional development demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement, innovation in teaching, and adoption of evidence-based practices. Documented participation in these activities becomes especially meaningful when paired with reflection and evidence of application, showing not only what you learned but how you used it to enhance student learning and course design. Professional development takes many forms, including conferences, workshops, and seminars that support engagement with current research and pedagogical innovation; online teaching courses or certifications that provide structured training in instructional design and pedagogy; mentoring, peer observation, and collaborative projects that highlight reflective practice; university-led initiatives such as teaching academies or faculty learning communities; and participation in professional organizations that support ongoing disciplinary and pedagogical growth.
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Conferences, Workshops, and Seminars
Participation in teaching-focused or discipline-specific conferences shows engagement with current research, pedagogy, and innovations.
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Online Teaching Courses and Certifications
Formal coursework or certification programs related to teaching pedagogy and instructional design provide structured evidence of professional growth.
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Mentoring, Peer Observation, and Professional Collaboration
Collaborative teaching development highlights reflective practice and shared learning.
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University-Led Initiatives
Participation in campus programs such as teaching academies, faculty learning communities, or instruction training highlights collaboration and institutional engagement.
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Professional Organizations in the Discipline
Engagement with professional societies demonstrate commitment to both disciplinary expertise and pedagogy.
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Save completion certificates or digital badges.
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Include a short reflection explaining how the activity informed your teaching.
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Summarize skills acquired or competencies gained.
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Add evidence of implementation (revised syllabi, assignments, activities).
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Include observation summaries or feedback forms when relevant.
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Start with your teaching goals and seek microcredentials aligned with them.
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Check your campus teaching center (e.g., CITE at MSU) for available programs.
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Explore disciplinary organizations for pedagogy-focused microcredentials.
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Watch for grant-funded opportunities that include credentialing.
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Follow teaching centers’ newsletters and social channels for new offerings.
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Prioritize evidence-based programs that require applied work.
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Stack smaller credentials toward a larger certificate when possible.
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Save certificates, badges, reflections, and artifacts for your dossier.
Check out Professional Development offered by MSU's Center for Innovation in Teaching Excellence
The Center for Innovation in Teaching Excellence (CITE) empowers faculty through innovative teaching and learning development. As teachers, designers, and mentors, CITE cultivates a collaborative community that elevates both faculty potential and student success, serving as MSU's cornerstone for educational innovation and a national model for faculty teaching development.
*Need guidance from Kelly here.