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Excellence in Education Certificate Program

Coming Soon: Fall 2025!

Transform your impact as a physical therapy educator with the APTA Academy of Education's Excellence in Education Certificate (EEC)! Designed for aspiring, novice, and developing educators and/or clinicians, EEC will help you:

  • Gain in-depth training in the learning sciences
  • Explore innovative teaching practices
  • Benefit from personalized mentorship
Program Description

The Excellence in Education Certificate (EEC) program will employ a blended learning model, delivering content through asynchronous and synchronous modules to meet the growing demand of developing future and current educators across the many realms of physical therapy education including clinical, academic, and residency/fellowship arenas. A critical core of content modules is linked simultaneously to traditional CEU requirements and professional licensing needs. The program will require a minimum of 60 total contact hours, a certificate examination, and direct mentoring by experts in the field. Formative assessments will be utilized at the end of each content module, linked to CEU credits, followed by a summative examination to earn the certificate. To accommodate aspiring candidates, mentored synchronous activities will be scheduled primarily, but not exclusively, during evenings or on weekends.

Mission Statement

The Excellence in Education Certificate program supports the professional growth of current and aspiring educators, including clinicians interested in or transitioning to academic roles. This program enhances an understanding of the academic environment through participant mentorship and the development of a solid foundation in learning sciences and educational methodologies. Empowered with essential knowledge, skills, abilities, and resources, participants will contribute meaningfully to educational programs.

Commitment

We are committed to providing innovative and comprehensive support to aspiring, novice, and developing faculty, recognizing them as crucial contributors to the dynamic intellectual environment of our institutions (Phase 1). The program will expand its commitment to meet the evolving needs of physical therapy educators incorporating proficient and expert educators as both participants and mentors (Phase 2).

Principles
  • Excellence in Teaching: We strive to promote excellence in education by enhancing knowledge, skills, and abilities related to evidence-supported teaching, learning, and curriculum design.
  • Inclusive Community: We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and collaborative community, where diverse perspectives are discussed, valued, and celebrated.
  • Mentorship: We facilitate meaningful connections among participants and support the development of relationships with experienced mentors, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing and support.
  • Scholarship and Research: We encourage understanding of foundational scholarly principles, helping participants explore ways to contribute meaningfully to their academic disciplines.
  • Empowering Educators for Success: We strive to empower aspiring, novice, and developing faculty members to navigate the challenges and opportunities in education programs, to create an environment that promotes professional growth and life-ling learning, and to collaborate in the pursuit of excellence in education.

 

  • Total cost: $1650, paid as elements are completed:
    • Module cost: $600 ($10/CEU for Certificate Earners)
    • Mentoring fee: $300/year
    • Certificate Examination: $750 (for New Certificate Earners)
  • Time to completion: between one - two years, dependent upon pace of module completion
  • Microcredentials or content endorsements can be earned after completing a series of prescribed modules (typically five)
  • Content will be delivered asynchronously via the APTA Learning Center
  • Modules may be taken as part of the certificate or a la carte
Learning Modules will come from 11 different domains ranging from Faculty Roles and Identity to Student Success and Curricular Design. Each content module, posted on the APTA Learning Center, is either 2 or 3 contact hours or CEU, allowing participants to complete work in small chunks that best fit their schedules. Time to completion depends on pace of module completion, but is expected to be between one and two years. Certificate is earned after completing these 21 modules and successfully passing  the certificate examination.

1) Physical Therapy Educator Terminology and Communication

2) Faculty Roles and Identity I

3) Coaching

4) The Challenging Student

5) Outcome, Program, and Curriculum Assessment

6) Teaching and Learning Theories in Physical Therapy Education I

7) The Master Adaptive Learner

8) Instructional Design and Delivery

9) Clinical Education Preparation and Readiness

10) Educational Technology

11) Foundational Theories

12) Processes I

13) Internal and External Elements

14) Formative vs Summative

15) Grading Strategies

16) Rubrics

17) Item Development and Analysis I

18) Scholarship Models

19) Scholarly Agendas

20) Cultural Literacy and Humility

21) New Faculty as Leaders