The Certificate of Inclusive Teaching as a collaboration between the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning and the Office of Inclusive Excellence Education and Development. The two-semester experience offers faculty opportunities to reflect, plan, and integrate inclusive and equitable teaching practices within a community of their peers.

Certificate goals:

  • Through the Certificate, faculty:
    Reflect on their own positionality and what it means to apply an inclusive lens to their teaching;
  • Plan for actionable approaches for building community and empathy into their classroom spaces (Module 1) and using equitable practices such as Universal Design for Learning in their course planning (Module 2); and
  • Integrate their Certificate learning into tangible practices within their teaching through dedicate time for personal and professional learning within a community of peers across the university.

Learn more about the success of previous cohorts and the faculty-led Community of Practice!

The Certificate of Inclusive Teaching incorporates a faculty learning community model alongside a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Participating in the certificate will ask you to complete the MOOC developed through , while also committing to engaging in a faculty learning community that involves complimentary activities and discussion. While the MOOC was initially developed with STEM faculty in mind, our faculty learning community discussions and supplemental activities will engage colleagues across all disciplines.

Structure of Certificate

Reflect-plan-integrate circular process

During the 26-27 academic year, we are currently offering two modules through the Certificate of Inclusive Teaching program (Module 1 in the fall and Module 2 in the spring). Each module is intended to be completed across the span of a semester. Within each module, are threecomponents of the learning process (i.e., reflect – plan – integrate). Each component entails the completion of asynchronous, self-directed learning (2-3 hours per month) and participation in a monthly small-group faculty learning community meeting (60 minutes per month). Overall, participants should commit 15-18 hours across the semester for meaningful participation and completion of each module.

Each Month:

Participants will complete 2-3 hours of asynchronous online learning:ÌýThese self-directed learning activities are adapted from the HHMI Biointeractive Massive Online Open Course (MOOC). While the MOOC was initially developed with STEM faculty in mind, we have supplemented this information to be applied across all disciplines. These modules will be completed at your own pace and on your own schedule, although there is the expectation that they are completed within a specific 3-week timeframe to ensure you are prepared to engage with the faculty community when you meet.

Participants will meet with their faculty learning community cohort:ÌýCertificate participants will meet once a month for 90 minutes in a small community of faculty peers to reflect on their learning and plan for how they will apply what they have learned into their own teaching. FLCs will meet at a time that best fits their collective schedules.

Part 1: Inclusive teaching and the self

September:ÌýReflect – Identity, Equity, and Discipline
October:ÌýPlan – Belonging, Empathy, and our Classrooms
November:ÌýIntegrate – Building an Inclusive Classroom Space
December:ÌýCelebrate – Mid-year Reflection Lunch
Part 2: Designing with equity in mind

February:ÌýReflect – Planning for Universal Design for Learning
March:ÌýPlan – Facilitating Meaningful Learning for All
April:ÌýIntegrate – Inclusive Pedagogy and Course design
May:ÌýCelebrate – Showcase of Learning Lunch
What is the start date?

The Certificate will begin in September 2026 with the first topic (i.e., Reflect – Identity, Equity, and Discipline) will open on Canvas for participants to begin their asynchronous learning.

What is the time commitment?

Each month will entail the completion of asynchronous, self-directed learning (2-3 hours) and participation in a  small-group faculty learning community meeting (60 minutes). Overall, participants should commit 15-18 hours across the semester for meaningful participation.

Who can participate?

All Elon faculty are invited to sign-up, with registration numbers limited by the number of learning community facilitators available each semester. (Please note: To enroll in module 2 of the Certificate, you will have had to completed module 1)

How do you receive your certificate?

A Certificate of completion will be awarded through the Provost’s office upon completion of both levels of the Certificate and will be awarded at the May Showcase of Learning.

How can I register?

Registration will be open soon!