CUT is a program for all UMSL graduate students interested in teaching to develop pedagogical skills, professional preparedness, and community across disciplines. We use a mixture of regular online sessions and self-guided practice to help students become more confident teachers and leaders. Whether you plan to have a career in academia, industry, business, education, public service, or the health professions, CUT will help you achieve your goals. Nearly all professional roles require pitching, presentation, or instruction. Participating in CUT will help you translate everything you’ve learned in your program to the broader community, from writing an academic cover letter to teaching engaging lessons.
This program, jointly sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and the Graduate School, is open to all UMSL graduate students–both Master's and doctoral candidates.
Explore CUT Units
What Participants Say About CUT
The Certificate in University Teaching Program has provided me with the opportunity to reflect on and improve my teaching. More than anything, the program has given me the vocabulary to understand what makes an instructor effective or not and to verbalize my own teaching philosophy. This program has also given me a broad overview of the relevant aspects of teaching at the university level. Such topics included student motivation, active learning, inclusive learning, adult education, teaching with technology, service learning, developing job application materials, and navigating the job market.
[CUT] gave me the tools necessary to create a compassionate yet rigorous classroom—online and in person.
The Center for Teaching and Learning’s (CTL) Certificate in University Teaching (CUT) has helped me develop a more confident disposition towards my teaching and a skill set that’s been instrumental to my success in both my teaching and my graduate studies more generally….The foundation that CUT has helped me develop provides a solid basis for the continuation of my career in higher education.
As a result of this year with the Center of Teaching and Learning, I have fulfilled educational needs within my health system and at a local university. It has led to creative forums that I would not have had the confidence or abilities to implement before…
How to Participate in CUT
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Attend the Graduate Student Professional Development Summit in August (separate registration).
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Register each semester for upcoming CUT units ($50 to $100 per unit).*
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Complete all of the activities included in each unit. Explore the pages below for more information on each unit!
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Submit your teaching portfolio to the CTL for evaluation after completing all other CUT requirements.
CUT is not a linear program, meaning the units may be taken simultaneously when available, and in any order.
*As of in Fall 2023, graduate students can have unit fees credited back to their UMSL student account by the Graduate School upon completion of the unit. These fee credits are typically processed the week following each semester for units completed during that semester. Fees are waived for qualifying part-time (also known as adjunct) faculty. Contact ctl@umsl.edu for more details.
CUT Students in the News
