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Apply to join an ACUE course

MSU Denver offers the 4 ACUE courses that lead to a nationally recognized Certificate in Effective College Instruction endorsed by the American Council of Education (ACE). Since 2019, over 130 MSU Denver faculty have received the full certification, and many have completed individual courses.

One course will be offered each semester. Participants can sign up for courses individually, putting together the 4 courses over 2 years or just taking one course of interest.

The university has invested in these opportunities for all faculty (all ranks, all types). The program has been valuable to new and veteran faculty looking to deepen their practice, try out new ideas, and discuss teaching with colleagues.

Upcoming Courses

Inspiring Inquiry and Preparing Lifelong Learners (Spring 2025)

Motivate students, deepen their understanding, and help them take greater ownership of their learning. This course contains 6 modules that take approximately 8 weeks to complete. Modules include:

  • Motivating Your Students
  • Providing Clear Directions and Explanations
  • Using Concept Maps and Other Visualization Tools
  • Using Student Achievement and Feedback to Improve Your Teaching
  • Using Advanced Questioning Techniques
  • Developing Self-Directed Learners

Course dates: Feb 3 – March 30, 2025

Application deadline: Jan 19, 2025

Creating an Inclusive and Support Learning Environment (Fall 2025)

Create an optimal environment that supports learning, increases engagement, embraces diversity, and helps students persist in meeting academic challenges. This course contains 7 modules that take approximately 8 weeks to complete. Modules include:

  • Leading the First Day of Class
  • Promoting a Civil Learning Environment
  • Ensuring Equitable Access to Learning
  • Helping Students Persist in Their Studies
  • Embracing Diversity in Your Classroom
  • Checking for Student Understanding
  • Providing Useful Feedback

Course dates: Sept 8 – Nov 9, 2025

Application deadline: Aug 25, 2025

What is ACUE?

Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) courses prepare and support faculty to teach with research-based best practices, improving student achievement and closing equity gaps. Completion of ACUE courses leads to a nationally recognized Certificate in Effective College Instruction endorsed by the American Council of Education (ACE).

What can you expect when taking ACUE courses?

  • NEW FORMAT for 2024 – One (micro)course is offered each semester. Each course consists of 6-7 modules that are completed asynchronously, with one module delivered per week (with occasional break weeks).
  • Each module includes research-based strategies to try out in your course immediately, teaching simulations and scenarios to discuss, and examples and methods for both in-person and online teaching.
  • The average time commitment to complete a course is 2-3 hours per week over 7-8 weeks.
  • ACUE courses are offered at no cost to you or your department, thanks to contributions from grants and funds.
  • Completion of the four main ACUE courses results in a nationally recognized Certificate in Effective College Instruction endorsed by ACE.

Course Schedule

Fall 2024

Promoting Active Learning (Sept 9 – Nov 3, 2024)

Fostering a Culture of Belonging (Sept 9 – Nov 10, 2024) – **Additional non-certification course open to faculty and staff**

Spring 2025

Inspiring Inquiry and Preparing Lifelong Learners (Feb 3 – March 30, 2025)

Fall 2025

Creating an Inclusive and Support Learning Environment (Sept 8 – Nov 9, 2025)

Spring 2026

Designing Learner-Centered and Equitable Courses (Feb 2 – March 29, 2026)

"You Make the Difference" - ACUE

MSU Denver began partnering with ACUE in 2019 and we have offered 7 year-long faculty learning cohorts. Over 120 faculty have become fully certified in the Effective Teaching Practices program, including special interest areas such as:

  • Effective Teaching Practices
  • Effective Online Teaching Practices
  • Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep
  • Effective Online Teaching Practices + Antiracism

What past MSU Denver participants said about this course: 

  • “This course has enabled me to gain confidence in areas I’ve struggled with, confirm areas of strength and fine-tune several areas of my courses, ultimately enabling me and my students to be more successful in the classroom.” 
  • “I love all the information and practical applications of this ACUE course. I feel energized to integrate so many aspects.” 
  • “I have thoroughly enjoyed this program — I have learned so much that I will be continuing to implement in my ensuing courses. … It helped me feel confident about what I have done for the past five years — but also I have so many new ideas and ways to build on my foundation as a strong instructor. This was immensely valuable!” 
  • “I am incredibly grateful for for the opportunity to take this course. It has helped me do a much better job, especially in this virtual environment. I’m teaching this semester and it is going so much better than in prior years.” – Jennifer Walker

Effective Teaching Practices

ACUE's Effective Practice Framework

ACUE’s Effective Practice Framework centers research-based instructional skills and knowledge that every college educator should possess, regardless of discipline or type of institution.

The core of every ACUE course is the already extensive Effective Teaching Practices Framework program.  This program addresses the essential pedagogical skills and knowledge in five units of study, including examples and methods for both in-person and online courses:

ACUE Graduates

Over 130 MSU Denver faculty have received the nationally recognized Certificate in Effective College Instruction!

MSU Denver ACUE Graduates - College of Business

These faculty members have all earned ACUE's Certificate in Effective College Instruction, endorsed by the American Council on Education.

Biff Baker

Biff Baker

Department of Management

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Sheri Betzer

Sheri Betzer

Department of Accounting

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Rowdy headshot

Jenny Chen

Department of Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
BishGhoshCIS

Biswadip Ghosh

Department of Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Laurel Lane

Laurel Lane

Department of Marketing

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021 & Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
Rowdy headshot

Adam Melnick

Department of Management

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Becky Prater

Becky Prater

Department of Management

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practice 2020

[email protected]
Salina Siddique

Salina Siddique

Department of Accounting

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Rowdy headshot

Yaw Tyng Sheu

Department of Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practice 2021

[email protected]
MSU Denver - Rowdy Stock Photo

Kevin Heupel

Department of Management

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
Laurel Lane

Laurel Lane

Jacyn Meyer

Jacyn Meyer

Department of Management

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]

MSU Denver ACUE Graduates - College of Health and Applied Science

Kristen Atkinson, MSW, Ph.D.

Kristen Atkinson

Department of Social Work

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Michelle Chase Baum

Michelle Baum

Department of Journalism and Media Production

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Darcy Beery Preferred Profile Pic

Darcy Beery

Department of Journalism and media Production

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Erin Boyce, MSW, Ph.D.

Erin Boyce

Department of Social Work

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Chris Brown Headshot

Chris Brown

Department of Human Performance and Sport

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
aviation_and_aerospace_de_cino_tj

TJ De Cino

Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Profile image of Dr. Cynthia Erickson, Associate Professor. Solid black background.

Cynthia Erickson

Department of Psychological Sciences

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Profile Picture

Deborah Finken

Department of Psychological Sciences

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practice 2021

[email protected]
Profile image of Dr. Christopher Garris, Professor.

Chris Garris

Department of Psychological Sciences

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Lisa Hagan

Lisa Hagan

Department of Psychological Sciences

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practice 2021

[email protected]
Profile image of Dr. Laurel Hyslop, visiting lectured. Background shows faint clouds and to her left is part of a pine tree.

Laurel Hyslop

Department of Psychological Sciences

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Cindy Krentz website photo

Cindy Krentz

Department of Nursing

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Steve Krizman

Steve Krizman

Department of Journalism and Media Production

Couse Completed: Effective Teaching Practice 2021

[email protected]
Profile image of Dr. Lockwood, Professor. Solid black background.

Linda Lockwood

Department of Psychological Sciences

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
View More: http://nicoledawnphotography.pass.us/msu-denver-dietetic-interns-2019

Erin Murray

Department of Nutrition

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Headshot of Odon Musimbi

Odon Musimbi

Department of Engineering and Engineering Technology

Course Completed: Effective teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Dr. Hyon Namgung

Hyon Namgung

Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Rowdy headshot

Rowena Natalie De Sole

Department of Social Work

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Lisa Ortiz headshot

Lisa Ortiz

Department of Journalism and Media Production

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
HEP Professor

Paris Prestridge

Department of Health Professions

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Julio Proano

Julio Proano

Department of Engineering and Engineering Technology

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Ranjidha Rajan headshot

Ranjidha Rajan

Department of Computer Sciences

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices & Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Diane Ream, nursing faculty

Diane Ream

Department of Nursing

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Profile image of Dr. Michael Rhoads, visiting lecturer. Solid black background.

Michael Rhoads

Department of Psychological Sciences

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Adjoa Robinson, MSW, Ph.D.

Adjoa Robinson

Department of Social Work

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Rowdy headshot

Dea Robinson

Department of Health Professions

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Professor Alfredo Sanchez

Alfredo Sanchez

Department of Journalism and Media Production

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Erin Seedorf

Erin Seedorf

Department of Health Professions

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Professor Andrew Traver teaching in a classroom.

Andrew Traver

Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Pracitces 2020

[email protected]
Rowdy headshot

Jessica Yang

Department of Social Work

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
MHA Professor

Xiaohui You

Department of Health Professions

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Headshot of Carolyn McGary

Carolyn McGary

Department of Engineering Technology

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practice + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
MSU Denver - Rowdy Stock Photo

Ray Phillips

Department of Aerospace Science

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
Professor Josh Prok

Joshua Prok

Department of Health Professions

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
MSU Denver - Rowdy Stock Photo

Yaw Tyng Sheu

Department fo Computer Information Systems

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
MSU Denver - Rowdy Stock Photo

Brenda Wagner

Department of Social Work

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
MSU Denver - Rowdy Stock Photo

Tia Whitaker

Department of Social Work

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
Mark Yoss, Director

Mark Yoss

Department of Aerospace Science

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
MSU Denver - Rowdy Stock Photo

Xiaohui You

Department of Health Care Management

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
MSU Denver - Rowdy Stock Photo

Jenn Walker

Department of Human Services Profession

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Antiracism 2022

[email protected]
MSU Denver - Rowdy Stock Photo

Katrina McLaughlin

Department of Electrical Engineering Technology

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Antiracism 2022

[email protected]
thumbnail_Malpass_headshot2019-2

Laura Malpass

Department of Human Performance & Sports

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Antiracism 2022

[email protected]
Katrina Chaffin Headshot

Katrina Chaffin

Department of Health Professions

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Antiracism 2022

[email protected]

MSU Denver ACUE Graduates - College of Letters, Art and Sciences

Rowdy headshot

Margarita Barcelo

Department of English

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Rebecca Bryan, M.S.

Rebecca Bryan

Department of Biology

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Maria Cattell, Ph.D.

Maria Cattell

Department of Biology

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
James Drake

James Drake

Department of History

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
philosophy_goodnick_liz

Liz Goodnick

Department of Philosophy

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Rowdy headshot

Mark Koester

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Rowdy headshot

Laylonda Maines

Department of Biology

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Leslie Merill

Leslie Merrill

Department of Theatre and Dance

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Rowdy headshot

Sean Morris

Department of Philosophy

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Brian O'Hara, PhD

Brian O'Hara

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Nicole Predki

Nicole Predki

Department of Theatre and Dance

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Rowdy headshot

Maria Rey-Lopez

Department of Modern Languages

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Elizabeth Ribble

Elizabeth Ribble

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practice 2021

[email protected]
Rowdy headshot

Cheryl Sanders

Department of Psychological Sciences

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Rich Sandoval, PhD

Rich Sandoval

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Headshot of Arlene Sgoutas

Arlene Sgoutas

Department of Gender, Women, Sexualities Studies

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Shalini Srinivasan, Ph.D.

Shalini Srinivasan

Department o fChemistry and Biochemistry

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Rowdy headshot

Judith Strathearn

Department of Africana Studies

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Rowdy jumping with sky background_200

Andrew Thangasamy

Department of Political Science

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices & Effective Online Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Rowdy jumping with sky background_200

Amanda Wahlstrom

Department of Philosophy

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Rowdy jumping with sky background_200

Devon Wright

Department of Africana Studies

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
MSU Denver - Rowdy Stock Photo

Michelle Dally

Department of Speech Communications

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
Jeff Hammond headshot

Jeff Hammond

Department of Journalism

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
Dr. Scott Landolt standing in a snowfield

Scott Landolt

Department of Earth & Atmospheric Science

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practice + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
MSU Denver - Rowdy Stock Photo

Nancy Meyer

Department of Speech Communication

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practice + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
MSU Denver - Rowdy Stock Photo

Keri Olson

Department of Speech Communication

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career prep 2022

[email protected]
A. Palmer

Alycia Palmer

Department of Chemistry

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
David Piacenti, PhD

David Piacenti

Department of Sociology

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practice + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
Profile image of Dr. Courtney Rocheleau, Professor. Solid black background.

Courtney Rocheleau

Department of Psychological Sciences

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
MSU Denver - Rowdy Stock Photo

Parker Wilson

Department of AVP and I&LL

[email protected]
Michele Clark

Jessica Weiss

Department of Art

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Antiracism 2022

[email protected]
Chalane Lechuga

Chalane Lechuga

Department of Chicana/o Studies

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practice + Antiracism 2022

[email protected]
Profile image of Dr. Maureen Flynn, Professor. Solid black background.

Maureen ( Mo) Flynn

Department of Psychological Sciences

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Antiracism 2022

[email protected]
ACUE – Association of College and University Educators

Dane Borrman

Department of Biology

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Antiracism 2022

[email protected]

MSU Denver ACUE Graduates - School of Education

Headshot photo of Dr. Dorothy Shapland

Dorothy Shapland

Department of Early Childhood Education

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]

MSU Denver ACUE Graduates - School of Hospitality

Lincoln Davie

Lincoln Davie

Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Events

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Eunjoo (EJ) Kang, Ph.D., CMP

Eunjoo (EJ) Kang

Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Events

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Professor Scott Kerkmans

Scott Kerkmans

Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Events

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2020

[email protected]
Jackson Lamb

Jackson Lamb

Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Events

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Andrea Peterson

Andrea Peterson

Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Events

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching pRactices 2021

[email protected]
Jason Rice

Jason Rice

Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Events

Course Completed: Effective Online Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Helle Sorensen

Helle Sorensen

Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Events

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Jennifer Watson

Jennifer Watson

Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Events

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices 2021

[email protected]
Inna Soifer

Inna Soifer

Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Events

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Career Prep 2022

[email protected]
Smita Singh

Smita Sing

Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Events

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Antiracism 2022

[email protected]
eric-olson-photo-300×300-1

Eric Olson

Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Events

Course Completed: Effective Teaching Practices + Antiracism 2022

[email protected]