Biomedical Research Education Program : UNM Health Sciences Center

Certificate in University Science Teaching Program

The University of New Mexico School of Medicine is internationally recognized for educational innovation and superb educational resources. Accordingly, the Certificate Program in University Science Teaching is one of a handful of programs in the country that offers biomedical scientists formal training in education and teaching.

Through the certificate program trainees acquire a critical background in pedagogical theory, gain practical teaching experience, and apply innovative educational approaches. Creative, critical thinking, and communication skills are developed, which are highly transferable to research and other arenas. Fifteen credit hours are divided among coursework, workshops, hands-on
teaching apprenticeships, and an independent scholarly educational project. Elective credit hours provide the flexibility to tailor the program to meet individual goals and needs. Documentation of teaching activities, along with a statement of teaching philosophy and self-reflective journal are collated in a Teaching Portfolio. Certificate Program graduates have demonstrably enhanced competitiveness to pursue a wide range of careers that require effective communication, teaching, mentoring and assessing others.


The certificate program and individual courses are open to both Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program PhD students, as well as ASERT Postdoctoral
Fellows at the University of New Mexico. For further information or to apply to the program please consult with Dr. Angela Wandinger-Ness or
Dr. Sherry Rogers about optional coursework, teaching opportunities, and topics for individual projects.