Graduate Student Program

The UTA Graduate Student Conference on Effective Teaching is CRTLE’s annual, campus‑wide professional development event designed to help graduate students strengthen their teaching skills and prepare for future instructional roles. Co-led in Fall 2025 by CRTLE in partnership with the Graduate School and the EDGE Center, the conference brings together master’s and doctoral students and faculty from across all colleges for a day of interactive sessions, practical workshops, and cross-disciplinary networking. Conference topics typically include current techniques such as strategies for starting the first day strong, integrating social media into teaching, providing meaningful feedback, designing real‑world learning experiences, and navigating professional communication—highlighted by networking events such as The Art of Small Talk presented by COBA faculty member Dr. Daniel Usera. The conference also features a resource fair showcasing graduate student organizations and campus support units, along with complimentary breakfast and lunch for registered attendees. Faculty are invited and encouraged to attend alongside their graduate students, helping them engage more deeply in evidence-based teaching and connect with peers across campus.

The CIRTL-UTA Teaching Certificate Program is a no cost teaching certificate program available to all levels of UTA graduate students in all disciplines to prepare them for instructor roles by building competence in pedagogical knowledge, teaching-as-research, and teaching presence and presentation skills.

The CIRTL-UTA Teaching Certificates are divided into 4 levels and build upon the teaching and learning experiences of the previous level.  Graduate students can complete one, or two, or all the certificate levels. For more information see the website below and contact Dr. Beth Fleener at beth.fleener@uta.edu.