The Center for Teaching, Learning, & Scholarship is proud to partner with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) to expand high-impact professional development opportunities for Texas State faculty. Through this collaboration, faculty will have opportunities to:
- Take part in an asynchronous course, facilitated for a cohort of TXST faculty, and earn a certification in Effective Teaching Practices
- Participate in a mini course and earn a badge in Promoting Active Learning
- Explore ACUE Commons, a robust hub of teaching and learning resources, including Quick Study Courses
ACUE’s offerings are grounded in research about what helps students succeed and are designed to be immediately applicable across disciplines and teaching contexts. Their programs emphasize practical strategies that support student engagement, persistence, and achievement. The Office of the Provost is providing these opportunities free of charge to Texas State faculty.
Effective Teaching Practices Certification
The Effective Teaching Practices certification course offers a complete set of evidence-based teaching practices that build on existing knowledge and expand instructional skill sets, enhancing faculty confidence and expertise in teaching and engaging students. Faculty who complete the course are well-positioned to boost student persistence and academic achievement.
Upon completion, cohort faculty earn certification in ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practices.
Participating in the Course
Up to 30 faculty will be accepted into the 2026-2027 cohort, which begins September 7.
The course contains four smaller courses that, together, take approximately 25 weeks to complete:
- Creating a Productive Learning Environment
- Promoting Active Learning
- Inspiring Inquiry and Preparing Lifelong Learners
- Designing Learner-Centered Courses
Participation in the cohort is open to full-time faculty members (75%+ FTE) teaching primarily in-person or hybrid courses.
Nominations
Nominations now closed. Please watch for emails from our office regarding additional ACUE opportunities.
Important Dates for the Certification Course
- May 1 - 31: Nominations open for department chairs and school directors
- Jun. 1 - 19: Self-nominations open for faculty (should space be available following chair nominations)
- July: The CTLS notifies all participants who have been accepted into the cohort
- August: Cohort members attend the national course launch (multiple dates/times available, to be determined)
- Sept. 7: Cohort members begin the Effective Teaching Practices Certification course
ACUE Effective Teaching Pathway Courses - Promoting Active Learning
For faculty seeking a focused, flexible professional development experience, we offer ACUE Pathway courses designed for both in-person and online teaching.
These shorter, cohort-based courses focus on a specific area of ACUE's Effective Teaching Practices Framework, equipping faculty with practical, evidence-based strategies they can implement immediately in their teaching. The pathway course covers approximately one-quarter of the full certification content, making it an excellent option for faculty seeking meaningful impact with a smaller time commitment.
Upon successful completion, participants earn a digital badge recognizing their expertise in that area of effective teaching.
In Spring 2027, CTLS will offer the pathway course Promoting Active Learning. Two cohorts will be accepted to participate in this pathway: one cohort designed for faculty teaching in-person courses and one cohort designed for faculty teaching online courses. The pathway course lasts approximately four weeks and provides teaching strategies tailored to the unique needs of each instructional modality.
Additional information about the Spring 2027 pathway offerings will be available in Fall 2026.
ACUE Commons Quick Studies
All faculty and instructors now have access to ACUE Commons!
ACUE Commons is a dynamic online teaching and learning hub designed to support anyone who teaches at the university. It features a robust, searchable library of evidence-based teaching and learning videos, organized around core teaching competencies. Whether you're looking for just-in-time strategies or planning for the semester ahead, Commons offers flexible support to enhance student engagement and success.
How to Access ACUE Commons:
- Check your email for an official invitation from support@acue.org.
- Follow the instructions in the email to set up your account password.
- Once your password is set, you will be automatically logged out. Simply log back in to access your Texas State Commons dashboard.
- Anytime you want to access the dashboard, you can return to the login page here.
Note: You must set up an account using your Texas State email address. If you do not see an email from support@acue.org, please check your spam folder.
If you experience any technical issues, please contact support@acue.org or the Center for Teaching, Learning, & Scholarship at ctls@txstate.edu.
ACUE Pinning Ceremony
ACUE faculty participants were celebrated at the ACUE Pinning Ceremony in August 2026. Congratulations to badge and certificate recipients!
Photos from the Ceremony
2025-2026 ACUE Effective Teaching Practices Cohort
