Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education
Graduate Certificate
Online
Course Delivery
9
Total Credits
$893
Credit Hour
1 year
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
As a unique professional development program, the Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education is designed for anyone who works in an educational capacity with adults. This completely online series of courses will deepen your understanding of learning in adulthood and prepare you to teach in a range of settings, such as postsecondary institutions, organizations, and corporate trainings. Our students have ranged from health services professionals, those working in the non-profit sector, to higher education administrators.
The certificate, consisting of one required and two elective courses, can be completed as a stand-alone credential or as part of a masters degree program.
Program Highlights
#2 in Higher Education Administration in U.S. News Ranking for 2024
Program Outcomes
By completing the Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education, you will:
- Become a more reflective and effective teacher in postsecondary education
- Deepen your understanding of the values, beliefs and contexts that inform different approaches to adult learning and development
- Increase your knowledge of teaching and learning strategies that are most appropriate in various contexts
- Help articulate the values, beliefs, experiences and ideas that shape your approach to teaching and learning
- Improve your skills in systematic planning, designing and developing of educational and training programs for postsecondary education contexts
Career Outlook
Our certificate alumni tell us that they feel more prepared and effective as educators of adult learners in whatever context they work. Many have also gone on to administrative positions in faculty development, student affairs, and industry.
A Top-Ranked Education
- #3 in Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #3 in Online Master's in Education Administration — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #6 in Online Master's in Education/Instructional Media — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #9 in Online Master's in Special Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #7 in Online Master’s Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Dr. Brad Cox
Associate Professor
Dr. Brad Cox is an Associate Professor of Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) at Michigan State University and Founder of the nonprofit College Autism Network (CAN). His most recent scholarship focuses on the ways personal characteristics and institutional environments affect college students with disabilities, particularly those on the autism spectrum. More broadly, Dr. Cox’s studies explore factors that shape college experiences and outcomes for student populations often overlooked within higher education, including racially minoritized students, transfer students, adults, students facing difficult life events, and first-generation college students. Alongside Dr. Brett Ranon Nachman, Dr. Cox directs the Postsecondary Education: Autistic Collegians’ Experiences of Success (PEACES) project.
Course Information
Core
EAD 861 - Adult Learning (3 Credits)
Elective
EAD 860 - Concept of a Learning Society (3 Credits)
EAD 863 - Training and Professional Development (3 Credits)
EAD 866 - Teaching in Postsecondary Education (3 Credits)
EAD 871 - Collegiate Contexts for Teaching and Learning (3 Credits)
EAD 877 - Program Planning and Evaluation in Postsecondary Contexts (3 Credits)
EAD 878 - Education in the Digital Age (3 Credits)
*Although the EAD 861 class is “required” students may request a waiver to substitute one of the other listed courses in its place. To request such a waiver, you must select any one of the three intended courses to serve formally as the “substitute” course.
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and a grade-point average of at least 3.0 in the final two years of undergraduate study. Applicants with grade-point average below 3.0 for the same time period, may be considered for admission on a provisional basis.
- CV/Résumé
- A personal statement/statement of purpose that describes your professional and educational experience in relation to your desire to pursue a graduate certificate in Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education and how the program relates to your career interests/plans. This statement is used to determine if the applicant's goals are consistent with those of the program and to assess the clarity and coherence of the applicant's writing. Statements should not exceed 500 words in length.
- No GRE required.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete the university graduate certificate application for Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education and pay the application fee.
- Official transcripts should be sent directly by the institution via email to haleadm@msu.edu or by mail to:
- Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education (HALE) Program
c/o HALE Admissions Assistant
Department of Educational Administration
Michigan State University
Erickson Hall
620 Farm Lane Rm 423
East Lansing, MI 48824-1034 - Upload the following files (in PDF format): personal statement, and résumé to the application portal.
- The GRE or an academic interview are not required for admission. Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning is separate and distinct from other graduate programs within HALE and from all other graduate programs offered at MSU. Acceptance into the Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning does not qualify an individual for admission into any of the graduate degree programs offered in HALE. Credits earned in the certificate program may be applied toward a degree program in HALE with faculty approval.
Currently enrolled students:
- Complete and submit an Intent to Enroll form.
- Students enrolled in degree programs have the option of requesting credits earned for the Certificate also be applied toward the completion of their graduate degree. If interested, students should consult the Requirements for a Second, Dual or Joint Degree section of the University Academic Programs Catalogue.
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
August 1st
Spring
Application Deadline
December 1st
Summer
Application Deadline
April 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$893
$1,137
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
Program Overview
As a unique professional development program, the Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education is designed for anyone who works in an educational capacity with adults. This completely online series of courses will deepen your understanding of learning in adulthood and prepare you to teach in a range of settings, such as postsecondary institutions, organizations, and corporate trainings. Our students have ranged from health services professionals, those working in the non-profit sector, to higher education administrators.
The certificate, consisting of one required and two elective courses, can be completed as a stand-alone credential or as part of a masters degree program.
Program Highlights
#2 in Higher Education Administration in U.S. News Ranking for 2024
Program Outcomes
By completing the Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education, you will:
- Become a more reflective and effective teacher in postsecondary education
- Deepen your understanding of the values, beliefs and contexts that inform different approaches to adult learning and development
- Increase your knowledge of teaching and learning strategies that are most appropriate in various contexts
- Help articulate the values, beliefs, experiences and ideas that shape your approach to teaching and learning
- Improve your skills in systematic planning, designing and developing of educational and training programs for postsecondary education contexts
Career Outlook
Our certificate alumni tell us that they feel more prepared and effective as educators of adult learners in whatever context they work. Many have also gone on to administrative positions in faculty development, student affairs, and industry.
A Top-Ranked Education
- #3 in Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #3 in Online Master's in Education Administration — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #6 in Online Master's in Education/Instructional Media — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #9 in Online Master's in Special Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #7 in Online Master’s Education Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Dr. Brad Cox
Associate Professor
Dr. Brad Cox is an Associate Professor of Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) at Michigan State University and Founder of the nonprofit College Autism Network (CAN). His most recent scholarship focuses on the ways personal characteristics and institutional environments affect college students with disabilities, particularly those on the autism spectrum. More broadly, Dr. Cox’s studies explore factors that shape college experiences and outcomes for student populations often overlooked within higher education, including racially minoritized students, transfer students, adults, students facing difficult life events, and first-generation college students. Alongside Dr. Brett Ranon Nachman, Dr. Cox directs the Postsecondary Education: Autistic Collegians’ Experiences of Success (PEACES) project.
Course Information
Core
EAD 861 - Adult Learning (3 Credits)
Elective
EAD 860 - Concept of a Learning Society (3 Credits)
EAD 863 - Training and Professional Development (3 Credits)
EAD 866 - Teaching in Postsecondary Education (3 Credits)
EAD 871 - Collegiate Contexts for Teaching and Learning (3 Credits)
EAD 877 - Program Planning and Evaluation in Postsecondary Contexts (3 Credits)
EAD 878 - Education in the Digital Age (3 Credits)
*Although the EAD 861 class is “required” students may request a waiver to substitute one of the other listed courses in its place. To request such a waiver, you must select any one of the three intended courses to serve formally as the “substitute” course.
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and a grade-point average of at least 3.0 in the final two years of undergraduate study. Applicants with grade-point average below 3.0 for the same time period, may be considered for admission on a provisional basis.
- CV/Résumé
- A personal statement/statement of purpose that describes your professional and educational experience in relation to your desire to pursue a graduate certificate in Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education and how the program relates to your career interests/plans. This statement is used to determine if the applicant's goals are consistent with those of the program and to assess the clarity and coherence of the applicant's writing. Statements should not exceed 500 words in length.
- No GRE required.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete the university graduate certificate application for Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education and pay the application fee.
- Official transcripts should be sent directly by the institution via email to haleadm@msu.edu or by mail to:
- Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education (HALE) Program
c/o HALE Admissions Assistant
Department of Educational Administration
Michigan State University
Erickson Hall
620 Farm Lane Rm 423
East Lansing, MI 48824-1034 - Upload the following files (in PDF format): personal statement, and résumé to the application portal.
- The GRE or an academic interview are not required for admission. Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning is separate and distinct from other graduate programs within HALE and from all other graduate programs offered at MSU. Acceptance into the Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning does not qualify an individual for admission into any of the graduate degree programs offered in HALE. Credits earned in the certificate program may be applied toward a degree program in HALE with faculty approval.
Currently enrolled students:
- Complete and submit an Intent to Enroll form.
- Students enrolled in degree programs have the option of requesting credits earned for the Certificate also be applied toward the completion of their graduate degree. If interested, students should consult the Requirements for a Second, Dual or Joint Degree section of the University Academic Programs Catalogue.
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
August 1st
Spring
Application Deadline
December 1st
Summer
Application Deadline
April 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$893
$1,137
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
The MSU Value Promise
You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.
As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years.
MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.
MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.
MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.