WID Certificate

Certificate of Accomplishment in Teaching Writing in the Disciplines

Please be advised that this program is on pause for new enrollees for the 2023-24 Academic Year.

Training in writing pedagogy has become increasingly valuable for those pursuing academic positions. Because undergraduate institutions continue to include the development of writing skills as a key goal of their undergraduate programs, new faculty are increasingly expected to help students develop these skills. This training is also beneficial on the competitive academic job market, and it is useful to have a way to document such training on one’s CV and to be able to speak effectively about one’s experience with and interest in student writing. The Thompson Writing Program Certificate of Accomplishment in Teaching Writing in the Disciplines provides a framework for acquiring basic knowledge of writing pedagogy and demonstrating that knowledge in job applications and during interviews.

To allow participants to obtain the certificate in the way that best meets their needs and schedules, core workshops are offered at least once annually. While it will be possible to meet the certificate requirements in a single year, most participants complete the requirements over a two or three-year period.

Those who have completed the certificate can receive credit for WRITING 808, which counts toward the Graduate School’s CCT. To receive credit, send a request to twp-wid@duke.edu at least one month prior to the end of the semester (once you have completed the certificate).

Requirements

Earning the certification involves these basic requirements:

1.  Six Writing in the Discipline (WID) Events

  • Attendance and written reflections for 6 WID events. These can be any combination of WID workshops, Writing Studies Journal Club, or TWP Thinking and Praxis events.
  • For journal club meetings, you are expected to read the article prior to the discussion.

2.  WID Portfolio

Completed portfolios, compiled on a single document, should contain the following:

  • Workshop/journal club reflections: Written reflections (250 – 500 words) on each of the six sessions for which you wish to receive credit. (These reflections will also serve as records of attendance at the workshops.)
  • Reading reflections (250–500 words each) on two chapters of The Elements of Teaching Writing: A Resource for Instructors in All Disciplines by Gottschalk and Hjortshoj.
  • Writing assignment sample: One major or two minor writing assignments. These may be assignments you created or ones you revised for a course for which you were the teaching assistant. Plus a 250–500 word reflection discussing the writing assignment(s) in relation to ideas you have learned in workshops and/or journal club discussions.
  • Feedback samples: Two examples of  feedback you provided for students in a course you taught at Duke, plus a 250–500 word reflection discussing the feedback you gave in relation to ideas you have learned in workshops and/or journal club discussions.

3.  Faculty Meeting

You should meet with a faculty member of the Thompson Writing Program to review and discuss your completed portfolio.

How to Enroll

Graduate students and postdocs who would like to sign up for the certificate program should send an email to twp-wid@duke.edu. In the subject, write “Sign up for the Teaching WID Certificate Program.” Include your full name and your department. Graduate students must also have their advisor/mentor send an email to this address giving permission for them to participate.

Once you are in our system, you'll be added to the Sakai site for this program.

If you haven’t heard from us within one week of sending your email, please let us know!