Certificate Program: "Professional Teaching Competence for Higher Education"
The University of Siegen is a member of the North Rhine-Westphalia University Teaching Network. This means that the University of Siegen’s courses in higher education pedagogy are, for the most part, eligible for credit toward the certificate program “Professional Teaching Competence for Higher Education” and meet the requirements of the curriculum as well as the underlying quality standards.
What is the structure of the certificate, and what do you need to do to earn it?
The comprehensive certificate comprises 200–240 AE and consists of three submodules that build on one another in sequence. The module structure incorporates the five subject areas, each of which is assigned a corresponding number of required work units: Teaching and Learning (60 AE); Testing and Assessment (16 AE); Counseling (16 AE); Evaluation and Feedback (16 AE); Teaching and Social Responsibility (16 AE).
- It comprises at least 80 AE
- includes the mandatory module in Siegen titled“Basic Workshop: Planning and Developing Your Own Teaching, Parts 1 and 2, plus a practical phase.” This module takes place at the start of the semester.
This module already comprises 44 AE for the basic module; the remaining AE can be earned through workshops that count toward the basic module.
The practical phase follows Part 2 and takes place throughout the semester. It consists of a peer classroom observation and a concluding written reflection (approx. 2 pages, DIN A4) or an oral presentation in the reflection room. The dates for the peer observation are set together with the participant group as part of Part 1.
Here is an overview of the learning objectives of the basic module.
- It comprises at least 60 AE
- The AE credits can be earned by participating in workshops that are eligible for credit.
There is no mandatory component in the advanced module; here, participants can explore specific, including subject-specific, topics, while continuing to build upon the topics covered in the basic module, taking into account the relevant subject areas.
- It comprises 60 AE
- The specialization module is completed in Siegen as a single, comprehensive block. Registration for this module is possible after completion of the basic and advanced modules.
Click here for the guide to the advanced module.
General Information
- Note! Participation in peer-led case discussions is mandatory as part of the certificate program. These are regularly included in the program.
- There are workshops that count toward either the basic or advanced module.
- There are also workshops that can be assigned to either one or the other subject area.
- In addition, up to 10% of the total work units required for the certificate may be counted toward the certificate as key qualifications. These include, for example, participation in events that have a university-related context but are not necessarily focused on higher education pedagogy.
- Each course completed in full is accompanied by a certificate of participation, which includes, among other things, the course scope and the module and subject area assignments. Partial certificates are also issued for each module along the path toward the overall certificate.
- Registration is generally done informally via email for the individual events.
- For each workshop day or 8 AE, faculty members at the University of Siegen are charged a €10 materials fee.
As a member of a participating university, you have the opportunity to take advantage of offerings from other universities in the NRW University Didactics Network; these are mutually recognized at 100%:
Registration and Certification
Each course attended is certified individually by the hosting institution. Upon completion of the respective modules, partial certificates are issued, which, upon completion of the entire continuing education program, lead to the overall certificate “Professional Teaching Competence for Higher Education.” This certificate is issued by the higher education pedagogy departments of the member universities of the Network for Higher Education Pedagogy NRW.
Individual events, as well as the entire continuing education program, are generally open to all university faculty members. Faculty members from our own university are given priority over those from universities participating in the NRW University Didactics Network.
Any applicable fees are listed in the event offerings of the respective university.
The current full program for all institutions participating in the network can be viewed under“Events: Network for University Didactics NRW.” Registration takes place through the university didactics institution offering the event.
At individual institutions, the range of higher education pedagogy events extends far beyond the “Professional Teaching Competence for Higher Education” certificate program. Participation in such additional events is possible and recommended.
- In Module I, enrollment in the course " Basic Workshop: Planning and Developing Your Own Teaching, Parts 1 and 2, plus the Practical Phase," totaling 44 AE, is mandatory.
- Module III consists of a single, coherent advanced module totaling 60 AE.
- There are workshops that count toward both the basic and advanced modules and can be assigned to either subject area as desired.
- Each fully attended session is concluded with a certificate of participation, which notes, among other things, the scope and the module and subject area assignment. Partial certificates are also issued throughout the modules as participants work toward the overall certificate.
- Participation in a peer case consultation is mandatory as part of the certificate program. These sessions are regularly included in the program.
Registration is generally informal and done via email for the individual events. For each workshop day or 8 AE, faculty members at the University of Siegen are charged a €10 materials fee.
As members of a participating university, faculty members have the opportunity to take advantage of offerings from other universities in the NRW University Didactics Network:
- these are mutually recognized at 100%.
- Depending on the university, a participation fee of up to €50 per 8 AE may apply.
[1] One work unit (AE) corresponds to 45 minutes.
Participation
The events are generally designed for 8 to a maximum of 16 participants each; priority is given to faculty members at the University of Siegen, followed by faculty members at member institutions of the NRW Network. If any spots remain available, they are open to faculty members from other universities.
In the event that you need to cancel, please notify us immediately.
Waiting List or List of Interested Parties
Placement in the respective workshops is based on the order in which written registrations are received. If the available spots are filled, interested parties will be placed on a waiting list. If participants cancel, the now-available spots will be offered to those on the waiting list. If a highly sought-after event is offered again, those on the waiting list or list of interested parties will be contacted first.
Certificate
Participation in an event is generally confirmed with a certificate of participation that includes details about the content and duration of the event. Certificates are either distributed immediately following the respective conference or mailed via internal mail within one to two weeks after the workshop ends.
Please note that a certificate of participation can only be issued if at least 80% of the workshop has been completed.
This so-called 80/20 rule is part of the quality standards jointly agreed upon by the Network for University Didactics in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The university’s course offerings in higher education pedagogy are generally made available to faculty members at the University of Siegen free of charge.
However, there is a fee to cover material costs:
€10 per workshop day / per 8 AE for members of the University of Siegen
This fee is used to cover costs and purchases not covered by the budget, such as seminar handouts, seminar materials, etc.
Please note that if you do not attend the event, a refund of the material fee will only be issued if you cancel your registration in a timely manner before the event begins. Once the event has begun, no refund will be possible.
