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: Fully Online with required weekly synchronous sessions (Sept. - Dec.). 
  • Winter Semester: A teaching apprenticeship, a learning portfolio and four synchronous sessions (Jan. – Apr.).

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

Program Completion Requirements

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.

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 coveredin the online modules.

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; however, participants are expected to keep with the weekly schedule. Weekly synchronous sessions complement the modules, offering opportunities for discussion, application and reflection.

Topics include, but not limited to: 

  • Effective teaching strategies.
  • Equity, diversity and accessibility.
  • Course design and syllabus development.
  • Active and collaborative learning techniques.
  • Learning technologies and copyright and GenAI.
  • Teaching philosophy and dossier preparation.  

Weekly Synchronous Sessions   

  • Active participation is required in all synchronous sessions in the Fall semester, which build on the topics covered in the online modules. 
  • Missing more than three sessions throughout the Fall term (i.e. a total of 4.5 hours) will result in an incomplete program designation. 
  • Participants must attend the first orientation session. 

Discussion Forum

Participants submit regular online reflections on weekly content, sessions and readings. These postings encourage critical thinking and personal reflection on teaching and learning. Completion is mandatory. 

Teaching Apprenticeship (Winter or Spring/Summer Semester)

Graduate students must secure their own apprenticeship by identifying a teaching mentor and undergraduate course, then submit 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).
  • Collaborate with the teaching mentor on activities such as lesson planning, assessment design, and class facilitation.
  • Participate in four synchronous sessions with TSEP Facilitator during the semester. 

Teaching mentors will:

  • Provide ongoing support and feedback.
  • Complete the Apprenticeship Conclusion Form.
  • Write a letter of commentary on the participant’s teaching development.
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.  Preference is given to doctoral students.

Prior to the winter apprenticeship, participants are responsible for identifying:

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

How to Apply

Registration for TSEP for Graduate Students is limited to 30 participants.  

Registration is open from July 27 to August 27, 2026 or until all spaces are filled.  A waitlist will be established.  

Use the following link to Register:  TSEP Registration (Graduate Students) 

Deadline:   August 27, 2026, 11:59pm 

Successful applicants will be notified of acceptance via email during the week of August 31st. For more information about the TSEP for Graduate Students, please contact educatordev@mun.ca.