Certificate in Small-Group Teaching (CSGT)
About
The Certificate in Small-Group Teaching (CSGT) is a professional development program for those new to university teaching and those interested in solidifying their understanding of key principles and practices of effective teaching and learning. It is focused primarily on aspects of teaching and learning related to small-group contexts, such as tutorials, seminars, and demonstrations.
The program comprises 8 seminars which may be attended consecutively or flexibly online over multiple semesters. Participants who meet the attendance hurdles are then eligible to submit the three complimentary assessment tasks. Participants who complete all program components will be recognised with a certificate of completion. Alternatively, participants can choose to attend any of the individual online seminars without completing the assessments or receiving a certificate.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of the Certificate Program, participants should be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of key principles of effective teaching and learning in higher education;
- apply key concepts and principles to their own teaching context; and
- demonstrate a reflective approach to the facilitation of various teaching activities.
Suitable for
Both the Certificate Program and the individual seminars are open to current University of Melbourne staff and graduate researchers.
The program is most suitable for those new to university teaching or those without previous formal teacher training.
University of Melbourne academic staff looking for formal professional development in university teaching should refer to the Melbourne Teaching Certificate or the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching.
Program structure
The Certificate Program comprises 8 seminars and 3 individual assignments split into two parts:
- Part A covers the fundamental principles of higher education learning and teaching
- Part B focuses on practical strategies for small-group learning contexts
This program is offered multiple times throughout the year.
Program requirements
Completing the full program is not required; participants may choose to attend only those online seminars that interest them. However, to receive a Certificate of Completion, participants must complete the full program, satisfactorily meeting each of the following requirements:
- full attendance in the 4 core seminars,
- full attendance in 3 of the 4 non-core seminars, and
- satisfactory completion of the three individual assessment tasks.
Please note the seminars will not be recorded.
See ‘FAQs’ below for common questions about the certificate program completion requirements.
Schedule
Intensive program schedule - Semester 1 2026| Part A | |
|---|---|
Seminar 1: Foundations of good teaching in higher education* Seminar 2: Strategies for facilitating active learning* |
Monday 2 February 9.30am-1.00pm |
| Seminar 3: Principles of effective feedback* Seminar 4: Working with diversity |
Tuesday 3 February 9.30am-1.00pm |
| Part B | |
|---|---|
Seminar 5: Fostering student interaction Seminar 6: Facilitating in-class discussion |
Thursday 5 February 9.30am-1.00pm |
Seminar 7: Using questions in the classroom Seminar 8: Lesson planning for small-group contexts* |
Friday 6 February 9.30am-1.00pm |
Online program schedule - Semester 1 2026
| Part A | |
|---|---|
| Seminar 1: Foundations of good teaching in higher education* | Tuesday 10 March, 10.00-11.30am |
| Seminar 2: Strategies for facilitating active learning* | Tuesday 17 March, 10.00-11.30am |
| Seminar 3: Principles of effective feedback* | Tuesday 24 March, 10.00-11.30am |
| Seminar 4: Working with diversity | Tuesday 31 March, 10.00-11.30am |
| Part B | |
|---|---|
| Seminar 5: Fostering student interaction | Tuesday 5 May, 10.00-11.30am |
| Seminar 6: Facilitating in-class discussion | Tuesday 12 May, 10.00-11.30am |
| Seminar 7: Using questions in the classroom | Tuesday 19 May, 10.00-11.30am |
| Seminar 8: Lesson planning for small-group contexts* | Tuesday 26 May, 10.00am- 12.00pm |
*Core seminars for the certificate program
Expression of Interest
Expressions of Interest for Semester 1 are now closed.FAQs
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Satisfactory completion of the certificate program requires attending 7 of the 8 seminars, 4 of which must be the core seminars, and satisfactory completion of the three assignments. If you’d like to participate in the certificate program, and thus be allocated the assignments, please ensure that you have completed an EOI and enrolled in the certificate program.
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There are three assessment tasks for the Certificate in Small-Group Teaching. All three are individual tasks. Assignment 1 is due after Part A and Assignments 2 and 3 are due after completion of Part B. Those who register for the Certificate Program will receive more detail about the assessment requirements.
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There are four core seminars, which are denoted by an asterisk in the program information above and in the course outline. They comprise Seminars 1, 2, 3, and 8. These four seminars must be attended by anyone wishing to complete the assessed certificate program and must be attended before the respective Part A or Part B assignments can be allocated.
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The seminars will not be recorded. Attendance at a minimum of 7 out of 8 sessions (including the 4 core seminars) is a requirement of the Certificate Program.
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Participants who would like to receive a Certificate may attend that seminar on a future program delivery date. The program is delivered multiple times throughout the year. Please note that seminars are not recorded, and there is no option to watch a recording or complete an asynchronous task in lieu of attending the seminar. Reviewing the seminar slides does not constitute a sufficient replacement for attending the seminar. In addition, missing a seminar might impact eligibility to complete the assignments until attendance requirements have been met. Please contact the program officer about attending during a future iteration. It is possible to attend some or all of the seminars without participating in the assessed program, in which case there is no consequence for missing a seminar.
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As this program is assessed on a complete/incomplete basis only, it is necessary to attend the full seminar in order for us to certify that it was attended. Specifically, we allow a 15-minute grace period for each seminar. Please note that seminars are not recorded, and there is no option to catch-up with a recording or complete an asynchronous task in lieu of attending the seminar.
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Due to space restrictions, participants are expected to attend on the day(s) for their respective stream, but there is some flexibility for including additional participants in the online seminars (please email for details). Due to space restrictions, on-campus seminars may only be attended by those enrolled in that respective stream.
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No, you don’t. However, it is strongly recommended that each Part be completed within one semester. In addition, please note that completion of Part A is required before Assignment 2 and 3 may be submitted. Attendance requirements (including attending requisite core seminars) will need to be met before assignments can be completed.
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Participants who have attended equivalent workshops within the last year would not need to repeat the respective seminar. Please contact Melbourne CSHE to verify previous workshop attendance and confirm your remaining attendance requirements.
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Yes, participants can choose to attend one or more of the online seminars without completing the assessed portion of the full program. However, they will not receive a certificate of completion or of attendance. To attend an individual online seminar, please contact nicole.hutchings@unimelb.edu.au. Please note that the on-campus seminars are limited to those enrolled in that stream of the Certificate Program.
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No, the on-campus seminars are limited to those who are enrolled in that stream of the Certificate Program. In addition, space restrictions and contact tracing requirements make it necessary for us to limit the number of participants attending on campus. To register for an individual online seminar, please contact nicole.hutchings@unimelb.edu.au
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The program is provided by Melbourne CSHE as a service to University of Melbourne staff and graduate researchers so there is no cost to individuals, departments or faculties.