Academy of Teaching Scholars

Open to all IU School of Medicine faculty and educators, Tier One provides participants with expertise in the fundamentals of teaching and learning. It consists of:

• Developing and refining a philosophy of teaching statement
• Participating in seven teaching-development workshops in a variety of competency areas
• Undergoing a peer review of teaching

Those who complete the tier will receive: 

• A certificate of completion
• A letter of support signed by the dean
• A book they choose from a list of educational favorites

To receive full credit, the workshops should be completed within three years of initial enrollment. 

To register for Tier One

Email fapd@iu.edu to express your desire to join. Be sure to include your full name and title in your email.

Next steps

• Within 30 days of your initial enrollment, submit your (Pre) Philosophy of Teaching Statement to fapdd@iu.edu.
• Register for ATS workshops. Live webinars, face-to-face meetings and online modules are available. You must complete seven workshops, with at least one in each of the following competency areas:
  • Assessment Methods and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
  • Curriculum and Course Design
  • Instructional Strategies
  • Instructional Technology
  • Learning Theory
  • Supportive Learning Environment
• As you near the completion of your workshops, schedule a peer review of teaching.
• Based on what you have learned in Tier One, revise and submit your (Post) Philosophy of Teaching Statement and request your educational book.

Upon your admission to the Academy, you will receive access to an online portal where you can track your progress toward workshop completions, submit your philosophy of teaching statements and more.

** New pathways recently added! **

Tier Two is designed to increase participants’ knowledge of educational theories and practices. It is suitable for:

• Educators
• Course, clerkship, competency, rotation, residency and fellowship directors
• Center leaders
• Those who play a pivotal role in the educational enterprise
• Faculty who will be promoted and/or tenured based on excellence in teaching
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Multiple pathways to completion

Beginning in 2024, Tier Two offers multiple pathways for completion that focus on the professional development needs of the individual.

Choose one of the following pathways.

• Complete two graduate-level courses
  • Each participant completes:
    • Two credit-bearing courses as a graduate, non-degree-seeking student with Indiana University Indianapolis
    • A scholarly project
    • A short reflection
  • Choose between face-to-face, fully online or hybrid courses.
  • If you later decide to pursue a master's degree in education, your credits will likely transfer into that program.

• Complete a master’s degree in education:
  • If you have recently completed or are in the process of completing a graduate degree in education, you can receive credit for completing Tier Two
  • You must submit proof of degree completion along with a reflection about a scholarly project.  

• Participate in a discipline-specific program
  • Participate in a discipline-specific educator program, such as the Association for Surgical Education’s Research Fellowship, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine’s Medical Student Educators Development Institute, or similar programs
  • You must submit proof of program completion along with a reflection about a scholarly project you conducted during the program. 

Faculty Fellows is a year-long professional development program that allows you to identify a specific area of interest within faculty development that advances your personal interests and targets either a departmental or institutional need. One of the main goals of your work will be to raise the profile of medical education and generate enthusiasm for the pursuit of teaching excellence.

Working together with an Academy mentor, you will plan and implement a project that includes a training component as well as a plan for scholarly dissemination of project results.

If you are selected as Faculty Fellow, you will receive an allocation to support your participation and professional development.  

To apply

• You must be a full-time IU School of Medicine faculty member.
• You must have completed tiers one and two.
• You will complete a brief application describing your interest and how the program will advance your career.
• You must submit a letter of support from your division or department chair with your application.