Sheridan certificate programs are open to Brown graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and staff. Enrollment for all programs is limited and registration is required. Completion of The Sheridan Teaching Seminar (Certificate I) is a prerequisite for all other certificate programs.
The Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning
Certificates
The Sheridan Teaching Seminar is a fall-semester certificate program designed to enhance participants’ instructional skills and build interdisciplinary teaching communities.
Please note that the Course Design Seminar will not be offered in Spring 2026 due to staffing constraints. Graduate students and postdocs are encouraged to explore the Sheridan Center’s resources on course design (sheridan.brown.edu/resources/course-design), which provide information on many of the topics covered in the seminar. Contact us to request an individual course design consultation at sheridan_center@brown.edu.
The Teaching Consultant (TC) Program is an intensive, semester-long learning community for graduate students and postdocs looking to grow their skills as leaders and teachers.
The CIRTL Network is a consortium of research universities dedicated to advancing inclusive education by preparing future faculty and promoting the use of evidence-based teaching practices.
Why Earn a Sheridan Certificate?
Spending time developing and reflecting on your teaching practice makes you more confident and competent as a teacher and effectively prepares you for an academic career.
For graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, a Sheridan Certificate demonstrates a tangible commitment to teaching. This can be of great benefit in today's increasingly competitive academic job market, where colleges and universities routinely ask applicants to provide evidence of teaching effectiveness.
For faculty, a Sheridan Certificate provides an opportunity for ongoing professional development which empowers instructors to better meet the needs of their learners.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/113605222
Sheridan Certificate Programs
David Blanding and Kristen Webster reflect on the value of participating in the Sheridan Center's teaching certificate programs.