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Center for Teaching and Learning

Certificates

The UAB Center for Teaching and Learning offers faculty the opportunity to earn certifications that recognize meaningful professional development in teaching. Certificates are earned through workshops, teaching observations, and related activities that strengthen instructional skills and support student learning. Explore the certificate options below to find the programs that best align with your teaching goals.

CTL teaching certificates are available only to instructors of record. Graduate teaching assistants, graduate students and postdocs preparing for future teaching roles are encouraged to participate in the LIFT program, which is designed to build skills and confidence for successful teaching careers. For additional details on any of these certificates, please contact CTL.

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Level I

Gold Certificate

To receive the CTL Gold Certificate, participants are required to earn at least 100,000 points. These points can be acquired by attending any CTL-hosted workshops. Each CTL-hosted workshop can only be used once towards the achievement of a specific CTL certification.

UAB graduate and undergraduate students are not eligible to receive this certificate.

Requirements

100,000 points • Any Topic

Level I

Global Awareness Certificate

For faculty seeking to strengthen internationalization, teaching international students, and intercultural competence. Led by CTL Associate Director for Internationalization Dr. Melissa Hawkins, workshops address teaching practices, student backgrounds, intercultural skills, and curriculum internationalization. Each workshop counts once. Students are not eligible.

Requirements

100,000 points • Global Awareness

Level I & II

Interprofessional Teams in
Healthcare Certificate

Prepares educators in Interprofessional Education for health-related teaching, with content also applicable across disciplines. UAB students are not eligible. For details on the level I & II certificate, and all other questions, contact the CTL or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Offered in partnership with the Center for Interprofessional Education and Simulation opens a new website

Requirements

70,000 points • Interprofessional Teams in Healthcare

30,000 points • Any Topic

Level I

Accessibility Certificate

Focuses on accessibility practices and accommodations, addressing faculty- and staff-identified needs through interactive sessions where questions are encouraged. Each workshop or homework counts once. Students are not eligible. Offered in partnership with UAB Disability Support Services opens a new website.

Requirements

70,000 points • Accessibility

30,000 points • Any Topic

Level I

Advising as Teaching
Certificate

Highlights the alignment between academic advising and UAB’s educational mission by supporting student growth and development. Workshops provide advisors opportunities to network, practice skills, and apply NACADA researchbased best practices. Each workshop or homework counts once. Students are not eligible.

Requirements

70,000 points • Advising as Teaching

30,000 points • Any Topic

Level I

Teaching with Technology
Certificate

Instructional designers guide UAB instructors in using Canvas tools such as the gradebook, feedback, rubrics, and groups, as well as other technologies like Harmonize. For details, contact the CTL or Randi Kirkland.

Requirements

70,000 points • Teaching with Technology

30,000 points • Any Topic

Level II

Platinum Certificate in
Teaching Excellence

An advanced professional development pathway for UAB faculty committed to sustained, evidence-informed growth in teaching. Building on prior CTL engagement, the cohort program recognizes faculty who pursue high-impact practices, reflection, and instructional innovation. Participants complete a curated sequence of workshops, learning communities, and individualized development experiences, working closely with CTL leadership to create a personalized teaching plan and document their growth. A new cohort begins each fall.

Tracking CTL Certification Points

Points for full attendance at CTL-hosted events are logged and recorded based on the sign-in records for each event, so be sure to sign in when you arrive. Points and badges are tracked and displayed publicly on the Points Leaderboard, which is updated several times each month. If your records don't align with the points displayed on the leaderboard, please contact the CTL.

When you attend CTL-hosted workshops, you will also be given a badge for the workshop series as well as a sticker for your points which you can affix in your CTL Passport for your own records. If you have not received a CTL passport or a CTL neck wallet to hold your passport, be sure to grab one on your next visit to the CTL!

  • Gold Points

    Gold Points are awarded for attending CTL-hosted workshops.

    • One CTL-hosted workshop = 10,000 Gold Points
    • Workshops are presented by UAB Center for Teaching and Learning faculty, CTL Points Partners, or invited guests. Most workshops are presented at the CTL (4th floor of Lister Hill Library). Workshops in the Medical Educators Series may be presented in Volker Hall and the Bradley Conference Center. Individual schools, departments, and other groups may request workshops to be presented at faculty meetings, retreats, and other gatherings. Please double-check the location of your event when you register.
    • Gold Points can only be used once towards the achievement of a specific CTL certification.
  • Green Points

    Green Points are awarded for proof of Teaching Artifacts and Activities.

    • One CTL-approved Teaching Artifact/Activity/Homework = 5,000 Green Points
    • Teaching Artifacts are documents, small projects, or other products created as a result of learning acquired through a CTL workshop. Examples include a course map or syllabus created using backwards design, a test or quiz created containing “good” test questions, a recorded lecture prepared for a flipped classroom, a Team Based Learning application exercise, and so forth. Teaching artifacts must be assigned by workshop presenters in order to receive Green Points.
    • Green points may also be earned for activities completed in an effort to improve one’s teaching. Examples include consulting with a CTL faculty member or teaching fellow, sharing a Teaching Artifact with another teacher, observing another teacher’s classroom, tutoring another teacher as they create a Teaching Artifact, and so forth. Outside activities must first be approved by the CTL in order to receive Green Points.
    • Green Points can only be used once towards the achievement of a specific CTL certification.
  • Platinum Points

    Platinum points are awarded for attending Platinum-level CTL-hosted workshops, for participating in teaching observations, and for completing a Platinum capstone project.

    • One Platinum CTL-hosted workshop = 10,000 Platinum points*
    • Platinum workshops are presented by UAB Center for Teaching and Learning personnel and carry the Platinum points designation. Platinum workshops are generally at least 90 minutes long and involve a significant out-of-workshop assignment. At least one Platinum workshop is offered each month during the semester.
    • Having one's teaching observed by CTL personnel or observing the teaching of another CTL-approved teaching earns 10,000 Platinum points.
    • The completion and presentation of the CTL Platinum capstone teaching project earns 10,000 Platinum points.

    * When you attend Platinum-level workshops, you will first receive 10k Gold points. Upon submission and review of the required Platinum homework, your 10k Gold points will be converted into 10k Platinum Points. Points will not be awarded until homework submissions are reviewed and commented on by the workshop presenter, which may take a little more time than 5k Green Point homework.

CTL Workshop Series and Badges

CTL workshop series are offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning and CTL Points Partners. These are organized by topic and presenter or presenting organization and each series is represented by a CTL badge. At each CTL-hosted workshop, attendees receive a badge sticker that can be affixed to a CTL Passport are for your own records. CTL passports and neck wallets to carry the passport can be obtained at the CTL. View upcoming workshops.

To begin working toward CTL Certification or attend seminars and workshops, register for a workshop or contact the CTL.

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