• Introduction
• Recognition
• Curriculum
• Course Delivery Format
• Admission
• Graduation Requirement
• Articulation to the Master of Science (M.S.) Teaching and Learning

Introduction

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Study in Teaching and Learning (Primary) targets practicing primary teachers who have not had the opportunity to complete a teacher training program and who wish to prepare themselves with the latest pedagogy for the 21^st century schools. 

The quality of a teacher impacts student achievement and school engagement. The program is designed to support teacher development of skills necessary for facilitating literacy and numeracy development, as well as creating engaging environments, assessment and use of assessment data to monitor student development, and developing capacity for the inclusion of students with mild special needs in high achieving schools.

The goal of the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Study in Teaching and Learning (Primary) is to prepare primary teachers in schools in the United Arab Emirates to develop strong literacy and numeracy development skills, collect and evaluate assessment data, and differentiate instruction to increase student success and achievement.

By completion of the program, primary teachers are able to:

• Analyze learner characteristics that influence student development, academic achievement and identify appropriate learning experiences;

• Consider, understand and implement a variety of theories of learning;

• Understand and investigate professional practice as the critical link between standards, assessment, and student achievement;

• Evaluate technology and integrated curriculum options and their connections to assessment and instructional strategies;

• Examine differentiated instruction for all students, including students with special needs;

• Investigate language development, instructional reading and writing strategies, literacy materials and assessment approaches in K-5 language education;

• Investigate numeracy development, instructional mathematics strategies, numeracy materials and assessment approaches in K-5 mathematics learning;

• Analyze and practice teaching strategies for content areas including the development of learning activities, instructional materials, lesson plans and teaching for higher order thinking skills;

• Evaluate and apply strategies and techniques found in effective classrooms in classroom settings;

• Enhance learning through activities and methodologies that engage a variety of sensory modalities;

• Facilitate student inquiry skills and student ownership/direction of their own learning; and

• Continue to develop professionally as an educator through a variety of means.

Recognition

Zayed University's graduate programs are approved by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. As Zayed University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Zayed University's graduate programs are internationally recognized for further education and employment in private and public sector organizations.

Furthermore, the College of Education is a candidate for:

• NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education), based in the U.S.A.

Curriculum

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Study in Teaching and Learning (Primary) curriculum consists of the following 4 courses:

• EDC 511 Literacy Learning K-5 
• EDC 512 Teaching and Learning Mathematics K-5
• EDC 663 Using Assessment for Learning
• EDC 646 Implementing Inclusive Education

Course Delivery Format

Each of the courses includes face-to-face instruction in addition to out-of-class activities contextualized in the student's work assignment. The courses will be highly practical and supported by a solid theory base in adult learning, leadership, and administration. All courses are based on 15 contact hours per credit.

For more information on the admission deadline, please visit the Key Dates section of our website.

Admission

• Admission is open to males and females of all nationalities.
• Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher from an accredited university.
• IELTS score of 5.50 (with minimum sub scores no less than 5.0 in reading and writing) or TOEFL score of 550 (CBT 213 - IBT 79).

For more information on the admission requirements, application procedure and program cost, please visit the Admissions and Fees section of our website.

Graduation Requirement

Graduate students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in course work taken in fulfillment of the requirements of a graduate certificate.

Articulation to the Master of Science (M.S.) Teaching and Learning

Students successfully completing the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Study in Teaching and Learning (Primary) with a "B" or higher grade in all courses, will be permitted to transfer 2 course credits to the Master of Science (M.S.) Teaching and Learning program. However, admission into the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Study in Teaching and Learning (Primary) does not guarantee admission into the Master of Science (M.S.) Teaching and Learning program. Students, if admitted, must request transfer of completed graduate certificate course credits to the master's degree program.