PG Certificate in Higher Education Practice
The Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice (PG CHEP) is a qualification for staff involved in teaching who wish to develop their knowledge, skills and
expertise in academic practice. The programme provides opportunities to plan, record and evidence your professional activity in three key areas:
- learning and teaching;
- research; and
- teaching-related management and administration.
Structure
The qualification comprises two 30-credit modules. Module 1 leads to fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). Subsequent completion of
Module 2 leads to the awarding of the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice.
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Module 1
What does it involve?
You will build a portfolio of evidence which includes:
- a professional development record;
- teaching observation records;
- a 3,000 word work-based assignment; and
- a reflective statement on your development and ethos as an educator.
You will attend a two-day introductory conference and six three-hour professional development workshops of your choice.You will also be offered individual and peer-group
tutorials with the PG CHEP team and mentoring within your department (where possible).
The time commitment is notionally 300 hours, including independent study, assignment work and portfolio preparation.
What are the benefits?
PG CHEP is a lively, supportive and enabling route to gain fellowship status of the HEA. It will provide you with the opportunity to:
- develop a critical awareness of learning and teaching principles and how these relate to effective teaching practices;
- explore models, strategies and techniques to help you plan, deliver, manage and assess your students' learning;
- record and reflect on your day-to-day practice, facilitating the acquisition of new skills and the development of existing expertise; and
- network with colleagues.
Gaining fellowship of the HEA can also:
- help you to gain access to funding opportunities;
- be used as evidence of your department's commitment to excellence in education; and
- produce sound evidence of your teaching expertise that can be included in the annual staffing review.
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Module 2
What does it involve?
In this module you will produce a practice-based case study of 6,000 words and continue to maintain your professional development record.
You will also attend a two-day introductory conference and a range of support workshops, and be offered individual and peer-group tutorials with the PG CHEP team and
mentoring sessions within your department.
The time commitment is notionally 300 hours, including independent study and the preparation of work for assessment.
What are the benefits?
Module 2 leads to a postgraduate qualification in higher education practice that is recognised across the sector. By focussing on a substantial practice-based project,
it allows you to work individually or in learning groups to develop advanced strategies and resources of use to both you and the institution. It will produce sound
evidence of your commitment to excellence in education and prepare you for further leadership activities and recognition in the area of learning and teaching.
How long does it take?
The standard route is to register for Module 1 in September and complete the following September (12 months). Module 2 is then started in January and completed in October
(9 months), so the whole programme is taken over two years. We do aim to be flexible though and each module may be spread over two years.
Who is it for?
PG CHEP is open to staff engaged in a minimum of 50 hours of teaching per module. Fees are waived for members of teaching and learning support staff
at Essex. Limited places are also available for members of teaching and learning staff at our partner institutions - please check with your institution.
If you are already a fellow of the HEA you may be eligible to proceed directly to Module 2.
Module 1 will be of most benefit to staff with less than three years full-time teaching and learning experience. Staff with substantial prior experience
who are not fellows of the HEA should consider gaining fellowship via the Cadenza programme and then progressing directly to Module 2.
Support
Throughout the programme you will be supported in a number of ways, including:
- a subject mentor in your department who will discuss aspects of your work and may observe your teaching;
- members of the PG CHEP team who will provide individual and small group tutorials and feedback on your assignments;
- a varied programme of relevant professional development events; and
- a dedicated Moodle site for access to information and networking opportunities.
How to apply
Please contact us for further information.