TSEP for Graduate Students

Memorial University’s Teaching Skills Enhancement Program (TSEP) helps graduate students build foundational teaching skills to support their academic and professional growth. Designed for those interested in teaching at the undergraduate level, the program offers training, mentorship and hands-on experience in a supportive environment.

Program Goals

TSEP for Graduate Students aims to:

  • Build confidence and competence in teaching abilities.
  • Introduce theories of adult learning and higher education pedagogy.
  • Foster student engagement through effective teaching strategies.
  • Support reflection on teaching practices within a community of peers.
  • Provide opportunities to practice and develop teaching skills.
  • Prepare graduate students for the challenges and rewards of teaching.

Program Delivery

TSEP is offered over two semesters in a flexible format:

  • Fall Semester: Online content plus weekly team-based discussions (in-person on the St. John’s campus or online).
  • Winter Semester: A teaching apprenticeship, a learning portfolio and four synchronous sessions (January–March).

The program is free for registered graduate students. Those who complete it receive a certificate of completion and an official transcript notation.

Program Description and Completion Requirements

TSEP for Graduate Students provides a structured introduction to teaching at the undergraduate level. The program spans two semesters:

  • Fall Semester (remote): Online learning modules and weekly 1.5-hour synchronous seminars.
  • Winter Semester: A teaching apprenticeship, a learning portfolio, and four synchronous seminars.

TSEP is a non-credit, certificate program offered free of charge to eligible graduate students. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive:

  • An official transcript notation confirming program completion.
  • A certificate of completion.
  • A letter of commentary on their teaching practice from their teaching mentor.

Program Components

The program consists of five key elements:

Online Learning Modules (Fall Semester)

Participants work through online modules at their own pace via Brightspace. Topics include:

  • Effective teaching strategies.
  • Equity, diversity and accessibility.
  • Indigenizing your course.
  • Course design and syllabus development.
  • Student-centred learning and motivation.
  • Active and collaborative learning techniques.
  • Learning technologies and copyright.
  • Teaching dossiers.
  • Teaching and self-care.

Weekly synchronous seminars complement the modules, offering opportunities for discussion, application and reflection.

Weekly Seminars (Fall Semester)
  • 12 synchronous seminars run throughout the fall.
  • The first seminar is an orientation session; attendance is strongly recommended.
  • Active participation is required in all seminars, which build on the topics covered in the online modules.

Attendance Requirement: Missing more than three seminars—or a total of 4.5 hours—will result in an incomplete program designation.

Teaching Apprenticeship (Winter or Spring/Summer Semester)

Graduate students must secure their own apprenticeship by identifying a teaching mentor and undergraduate course, then submitting a TSEP Apprenticeship Application.

Apprenticeship requirements:

  • Teach at least three hours in the mentor’s course (two hours by month two, one hour by month three).
  • Participate in four synchronous seminars during the semester.
  • Collaborate with the teaching mentor on activities such as lesson planning, assessment design, and class facilitation.

Teaching mentors will:

  • Provide ongoing support and feedback.
  • Complete the Apprenticeship Conclusion Form.
  • Write a letter of commentary on the participant’s teaching development.
Discussion Forum

Participants submit regular online reflections on seminar discussions and readings. These postings encourage critical thinking and personal reflection on teaching and learning. Completion is mandatory.

Teaching Dossier

As a final requirement, participants submit a teaching dossier that includes:

  • A 1–2 page teaching philosophy.
  • A sample syllabus or lesson plan.
  • Teaching certifications or awards (if applicable).
  • A letter of support from the teaching mentor.
  • Course evaluation results (if available).

The dossier provides evidence of teaching growth and serves as a valuable resource for future academic opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements and Application Procedure

Eligibility

TSEP for Graduate Students is open to all Memorial graduate students—both full-time and part-time—who are registered in a graduate program during the academic year they apply.

Participants are responsible for identifying:

  • A teaching mentor.
  • An undergraduate course taught by that mentor where they can complete their teaching apprenticeship.

Admittance

Enrollment in TSEP is limited and applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Application Process

Applications for TSEP for Graduate Students are not currently open. Please watch this page for updates on our next intake.

Responsibilities of Teaching Mentors

The School of Graduate Studies and CITL sincerely appreciate your support as a teaching mentor for the TSEP for Graduate Students. Your guidance helps prepare graduate students for future faculty roles by giving them meaningful opportunities to observe, teach, and engage in undergraduate teaching activities.

To ensure the best learning experience, we recommend mentoring no more than two TSEP students per semester. If you agree to mentor two students, please assign each one to a different course or section.

As a teaching mentor, you will play a key role in the following areas:

Pre-course Planning

Before the semester begins, meet with your graduate student to:

  • Share the course outline, readings, and other materials.
  • Develop a teaching schedule for the student.
  • Review the course evaluation plan.
  • Discuss how you will introduce the student to the class.

Course Delivery

Throughout the semester, ensure the student is fully engaged in the course by:

  • Inviting the student to attend classes regularly to understand course goals, learning outcomes, activities, assessments, and classroom dynamics.
  • Observing their teaching and providing constructive feedback.
  • Recording at least one teaching session (one hour or more) and reviewing it together.
  • Discussing lesson plans, aims, and teaching methods before each class.
  • Encouraging the student to observe your teaching regularly.
  • Offering opportunities for the student to assist with grading and discuss evaluation criteria.

Post-course Apprenticeship Conclusion Form

At the end of the semester, complete the Apprenticeship Conclusion Form to confirm the student’s successful completion of the teaching apprenticeship.

Post-course Feedback

Consider writing a letter of commentary evaluating the student’s teaching experience and potential. Students may include this letter in their teaching dossier as part of their professional development.

How to Apply

The application period for the upcoming academic year is open from July 14 to July 30, 2025. To apply for the upcoming offering of TSEP for Graduate Students, please complete the following application form:

For more information, please contact educatordev@mun.ca.