Graduate Certificate
The Department of Engineering and Science Education offers graduate students enrolled in STEM disciplines the opportunity to earn a Certificate in Engineering and Science Education. This educational experience is designed for postgraduate students who seek formal experience in preparation for an academic career, who wish to further their understanding of the education process in STEM disciplines, or who are interested in furthering their knowledge of discipline-based education research.
The ESED Certificate gives a competitive edge by requiring students to teach and provide programming for higher education. The Certificate program includes a range of courses that address specific aspects of engineering and science education, including training on education research methods, exposure to current best practices in post-secondary STEM education, and practical experience in teaching engineering and science. Certificate students take 11 credit hours of coursework.
Past students who have participated in the Certificate program include graduate students from many STEM disciplines, including astronomy, bioengineering, mathematics, mechanical engineering, and physics.
Upon completion of the course requirements, students will receive an official Certificate from the Clemson University Graduate School, and a record will appear on the student's official transcripts.
ESED Certificate Overview-
Learning Objectives
The objectives of the ESED Certificate program are to prepare students and postdocs who are pursuing a Ph.D. in a specific STEM discipline.
Key areas include
- Pedagogical and andragogical aspects of an academic career in STEM
- Positions in training and four education in STEM-based industries
- Educators in non-traditional settings such as museums, outreach centers, or non-profit organizations
Andragogy, adult learning, is a primary focus of this Certificate as we focus on post-secondary education and is a perfect fil to prepare STEM faculty for teaching and research. Certificate-holders will be prepared to become faculty in traditional STEM departments or academic staff by combining their education in their STEM discipline and the coursework of the ESED Certificate. They will be prepared to be scholarly teachers, action researchers, and agents of change in their workplaces.
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ESED Program Curriculum
Students in the ESED Certificate program will be exposed to STEM education research, pedagogy, andragogy, professional preparation, and teaching/mentoring practice. The curriculum consists of eleven (11) credits.
Sample Curriculum:
Students will be required to take a minimum of 11 credits from core ESED courses, which include (but are not limited to) the following:
- ESED 8000 - Seminar in Engineering and Science Education 1(1,0)
- ESED 8200/8210 - Teaching Undergraduate Engineering/Science/Mathematics 3(3,0)
- ESED 8720 - Action Research Engineering, Science, and Mathematics (3,0)
- ESED 8250 - Engineering and Science Student Strategies 3(3,0)
- ESED 8880 - Preparing for the Professoriate 3(3,0)
- ESED 8610 - Teaching/Mentoring Practicum in Engineering and Science Education 1-3(1-3,0)
Additional Opportunities:
Departmental Seminars - All certificate students will be invited to ESED seminars that feature speakers. Students who do not wish to remain on the email list after completing ESED 8000 will be given the option to be removed from the list.
Lunch and Learn - The department holds “Lunch and Learn” every Friday. This is an opportunity for faculty and students to discuss current research papers. On days when the department is hosting a seminar speaker, this is an opportunity to interact in a less formal environment with our seminar guests. Certificate students are always welcome to attend, but it is not a requirement.
A full description of the requirements and policies for the ESED Certificate program can be found in the ESED Graduate Certificate Handbook.
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Applying to the ESED Certificate Program
Requirements to Apply
The certificate program is open to all interested in understanding the STEM education process and/or discipline-based education research. Students currently enrolled at Clemson must be at a graduate level; those not enrolled at Clemson are encouraged to reach out to the department to find the best course of action.
How to Apply
Students must apply to the program through the graduate school website to receive the Certificate. It is highly recommended that Ph.D. students begin the Certificate program in the second or third year of their Ph.D. studies to allow acclimation to their disciplinary department, advisor, and research topic. There is an application fee for currently enrolled STEM Ph.D. students, but no additional tuition cost. Students should reach out to Barbara Smith, ESED Student Services Coordinator, for any questions.
- Submit an Online Graduate Application. This is required for degree-seeking, non-degree, and certificate applicants.
- For international students, you will need to maintain a minimum of 9 (nine) graduate credits for fall and spring and 6 graduate credits for summer that are Traditional or Hybrid/Blended (AAA) to meet visa, fellowship, or assistantship requirements.
