Texas A&M University Graduate and Professional School

Overview

Graduate and Professional Students can pursue their professionals development journey through tailored programs focused on specific learning outcomes to provide foundational knowledge (Foundation Certificate Programs) or assist students with demonstrating their expertise (Mastery Certificate Programs). 

All GRAD Aggies Certificate recipients are recognized annually at the Graduate & Professional School Awards Ceremony, earning a digital certificate, digital badge and door placard for each accomplishment in the program.

Find Sessions

Discover sessions and events through the GRAD Aggies Calendar.

Foundations Certificate Programs

There are several professional development programs that allow students to attain essential knowledge in GRAD Aggies skill areas and earn a Foundations Certificate. 

  • All participants must submit a final reflection to earn the Foundations certificate (after completing all requirements and deliverables as outlined by the facilitating program). 
  • Each program is a 6-8 hr commitment
  • A final certificate reflection must be submitted within 1-month of completing the Foundations certificate program
Foundations in Professional Development - GRAD Aggies ReOrientation Workshop Prerequisites: None

The GRAD Aggies ReOrientation workshop consists of a variety of professional development sessions for graduate and professional students writing a thesis or dissertation and nearing degree completion at Texas A&M.


Students who participate in ReOrientation, may earn the ReOrientation GRAD Aggies Foundations Professional Development Certificate. This entails:


  1. Attending the full day workshop and actively engaging in all sessions
  2. Completing all activities and deliverables requested by facilitators

Once these requirements are completed, students should submit their final certificate reflection (including uploading all deliverables). 


ReOrientation is held every summer. Students can find the event to register via the GRAD Aggies Calendar. 

Foundations in Professional Development - GRAD Aggies Professional Development Symposium Prerequisites: None

The GRAD Aggies Professional Development (PD) Symposium consists of a variety of professional development sessions for graduate and professional students no matter their degree or stage in program. Six concurrent sessions are held with two professional development sessions to choose from for participants. 


Students who participate in the GRAD Aggies PD Symposium, may earn the PD Symposium GRAD Aggies Foundations Professional Development Certificate. This entails:


  1. Attending the full day workshop and actively engaging in all sessions
  2. Completing all activities and deliverables requested by facilitators

Once these requirements are completed, students should submit their final certificate reflection (including uploading all deliverables). 


PD Symposium is held once a year during the spring semester. Students can find the event to register via the GRAD Aggies Calendar.

Foundations in Instruction & Assessment - Digital Learning Expo Prerequisites: None

The Center for Teaching Excellence’s (CTE) Digital Learning Expo features sessions led by knowledgeable staff highlighting practical strategies and emerging trends in digital teaching and learning within higher education.


Students who participate in the Digital Learning Expo, may earn the Digital Learning Expo GRAD Aggies Foundations Professional Development Certificate in Instruction & Assessment. This entails:


  1. Attending the full day workshop and actively engaging in all sessions
  2. Completing all activities and deliverables requested by facilitators

Once these requirements are completed, students should submit their final certificate reflection (including uploading all deliverables). 


The Digital Learning Expo is held once a year at the end of the spring semester. Students can find the event to register via the GRAD Aggies Calendar or the CTE Calendar. 

Mastery Certificate Programs

There are several advanced professional development programs that allow students to demonstrate their understanding and achievements in GRAD Aggies’ skill areas and earn a Mastery Certificate in one of our six skill areas.

  • All participants must submit a final reflection page to earn the Mastery certificate (after completing all requirements & deliverables as outlined by the facilitating program).
  • Each program is a 10-20 hr commitment.
  • A final certificate reflection must be submitted within 1-month of completing the Mastery certificate program. 
  • Visit tx.ag/gradaggiescertificates to submit your final certificate reflection after all requirements have been completed. 
Leadership and Mentoring – GMA Facilitator Program

Prerequisites: Complete the 6 GMA Competency sessions.  

Students who complete the 6 GMA competencies (each earn 1 PDU towards a GRAD Aggies Foundations or Explorations certificate) may earn an Mastery Certificate in Leadership & Mentoring by becoming a GMA program facilitator. This entails: 

  1. Completing the GMA Capstone session to become a GMA Fellow  
  2. Attending GMA Facilitator Training  
  3. Shadowing a minimum of 2 GMA sessions as a facilitator-in-training  
  4. Co-facilitating a minimum of 2 GMA sessions as a facilitator  

Once these requirements are completed, students should submit their final certificate.

Visit the GMA Portal for additional information. 

Career Development - Individual Development Plan Career Exploration Series

Students who complete the Career Center’s 8-Week summer Individual Development Plan (IDP) Career Exploration Series can earn a GRAD Aggies Mastery Certificate in Career Development. This entails: 

  • Attending 6 of the 8 sessions 
  • Completing all weekly activities 

 

Students who complete this program will be able to: 

  • Identify their top 2 career choices 
  • Identify resources for continued career exploration 
  • Set S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals for success 
  • Build a supportive learning community 

Look for registration information each May in the Grad School newsletter and on the GRAD Aggies Calendar. Email grad-aggies@tamu.edu if you have questions. 

Communication – English Language Proficiency Practice Group for Instructors

Students who complete the Center for Teaching Excellence’s English Language Proficiency Practice Group for Instructions program can earn a GRAD Aggies Mastery Certificate in Communication. This entails:  

  • Attending all 10 sessions offered through the program 
  • Completing any 3 homework assignments 
  • Presenting a microlesson during Session 10 

Once these requirements are completed, students should submit their final certificate reflection.

Visit the CTE-ELP webpage to learn more or sign up for a Practice Group session. 

Instruction and Assessment – CIRTL

Students who earn a CIRTL Associate, Practitioner or Scholar Certificate may apply for a GRAD Aggies Mastery Certificate in Instruction & Assessment through submitting a final reflection in the GRAD Aggies Professional Development Certificate Canvas page. 

Students can earn CIRTL Certificates by meeting the participation and assignment requirements for the following programs.