ESED Graduate Certificate
Further Your Understanding of The STEM Education Process
The School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences 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.
Wide-Set of Disciplines Accepted
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, each student will receive an official certificate from the Clemson University Graduate School, and a record will appear on the student’s official transcript.
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Learning Objectives
The objectives of the ESED Certificate program are to prepare students and postdocs who are pursuing Ph.D.s in specific STEM disciplines.
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 nontraditional settings such as museums, outreach centers or nonprofit organizations
Andragogy — adult learning — is a primary focus of this certificate as we focus on post-secondary education and is a perfect fit 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 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 8200/8210/8220 — Teaching Undergraduate Engineering/Science/Mathematics 3 (3,0)
- ESED 8720 — Action Research Engineering, Science, and Mathematics (3,0)
- ESED 8240 — Teaching Postsecondary STEM Through E- Learning 3 (3,0)
- ESED 8300 — Professional STEM Communication 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.
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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 no application fee and, for currently enrolled STEM Ph.D. students, no additional tuition cost. Students should reach out to Connie McClain, graduate 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 graduate credits for fall and spring and 6 graduate credits for summer that are traditional or hybrid/bended (AAA) to meet visa, fellowship or assistantship requirements.
