Certificate in University Teaching
The Certificate in University Teaching program brings expertise and experiential learning to the development of teaching practices. Explore principles and theories of adult education and student-centred teaching with opportunities to apply the knowledge in your own practice.
If you have questions about the program, please email instructionalsupport@ontariotechu.ca.
Register for CUT 2025-2026
This program is open to instructors, postdoctoral fellows, graduate teaching assistants, doctoral and master's students, and staff at Ontario Tech.
Two program streams are available: an instructor stream and a TA + staff stream.
Instructor Stream
Open to full-time and sessional instructors, postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral students.
This stream includes six (6) asynchronous modules and three (3) synchronous workshops.
Upon completion of the instructor CUT stream, participants will:
- Design a course, including learning outcomes, assessments, and course learning activities, based on principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
- Select instructional strategies that best support learning in specific contexts.
- Deliver content that is accessible, engaging, and inclusive for diverse learners.
- Apply best practices for integrating technology in various modes of instruction.
TA + Staff Stream
Open to master's students, graduate teaching assistants, and staff members.
This stream includes five (5) asynchronous modules and three (3) synchronous workshops.
Upon completion of the TA + staff CUT stream, participants will:
- Design a learning experience, including learning outcomes, assessments, and learning activities, based on principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
- Deliver content that is accessible, engaging, and inclusive for diverse audiences.
- Apply best practices for effective, professional, and inclusive communication.
To successfully obtain the Certificate in University Teaching, participants in both streams must also complete:
- The associated assessment for each module with a minimum score of 70% in each.
- A final assessment with a minimum score of 70%.
- A final teaching presentation (in person, in April 2026) with a minimum score of 70%.
Participants will also be required to:
- Attend one (1) TLC workshop from the Educational Technology category
- Attend one (1) TLC workshop from the Inclusive Teaching category
- Attend one (1) TLC workshop from the Special Topics category
You’ll receive information about the workshop categories and available sessions at the start of the semester.
Important Notes
- Modules and content will be delivered through a Canvas Catalog course. Participants will be added to the course upon enrolment in the program.
- The mandatory synchronous workshops are not delivered via the Canvas course, and must be registered for separately. Please see the Workshops webpage for information and registration.
When will CUT be offered for 2025-2026?
This year's CUT program will run from September 2025 to April 2026.
When does the registration period open?
CUT program registration typically opens in early August.
When does the registration period close?
Registration for the 2025-2026 CUT cohort will close on Monday September 15, 2025.
Which stream should I enrol in?
The instructor stream is open to full-time and sessional instructors, postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral students.
The TA + staff stream is open to master's students, graduate teaching assistants, and staff members.
Is there a cost to enrol in CUT?
There is no cost to enroll in CUT for members of the Ontario Tech community.
Where can I register for mandatory workshops?
Register for mandatory workshops on the Instructional Support Workshops page.
While you may attend as many workshops as you wish, only certain sessions are eligible for the mandatory workshop attendance requirement.
This semester's CUT-eligible workshops are listed below. To successfully complete the program, participants must attend at least one workshop from each of the following categories:
- Presenting with Purpose: Designing PowerPoint Templates from the Ground Up
- Back to B(AI)sics
- Leveraging Technology for Inclusive Teaching
- Presenting with Purpose: Pre-Recorded Presentations
- 4Rs in Teaching and Learning: Indigenizing and Decolonizing Practices
- Inclusive Instruction: Humanizing Learning Communities
- From Margins to Belonging: Teaching Through an Inclusive Curriculum
- Providing Feedback in Large Classes
- Moving Beyond Multiple Choice
- Beyond the Grade: Inspiring Motivation in the University Classroom
- Interactive and Engaging Lecture Materials
Please note that additional eligible workshops in each category will be offered in the Winter 2026 semester.
When will CUT modules be released?
One CUT module will be released per month from September to March (excluding December to account for the final exam period and university closure.)
How much time do I have to complete CUT?
Participants will have two weeks to complete each module after they are released. Our facilitators have estimated that each module will take approximately 3-5 hours in total to complete.
While CUT can be completed within one offering of the program (from September to April), participants may obtain the Certificate in University Teaching if they complete all program requirements within two (2) years of their initial program registration. Connect with the CUT program facilitators to discuss extended program paths.