FAQs
The Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) partners with institutions of higher education and teaching centers to enhance their efforts through scalable, research-backed programs that show measurable improvements in student outcomes. Our approach offers flexibility, allowing customization to fit each institution’s unique context.
ACUE’s Effective Teaching Framework is the foundation for every course, pathway, and certification we offer. This framework captures five competencies: Designing an Effective Course, Establishing a Productive Learning Environment, Using Active Learning Strategies, Promoting Higher Order Thinking, and Assessing to Inform Instruction and Promote Learning. Grounded in research and validated by experts, it defines the essential instructional skills all college educators should master.
What is ETP?
ETP stands for Effective Teaching Practices, one of ACUE’s two certification courses. It is a 24 to 25-module course focused on in-person teaching.
ETP is made up of 4 Pathway courses:
- Creating a Productive Learning Environment
- Promoting Active Learning
- Inspiring Inquiry and Preparing Lifelong Learners
- Designing Learner-Centered Courses
ETP stands for Effective Teaching Practices, one of ACUE’s two certification courses. It is a 24 to 25-module course focused on in-person teaching.
ETP is made up of 4 Pathway courses:
- Creating a Productive Learning Environment
- Promoting Active Learning
- Inspiring Inquiry and Preparing Lifelong Learners
- Designing Learner-Centered Courses
EOTP stands for Effective Online Teaching Practices, one of ACUE’s two certification courses. It is a 24 to 25-module course focused on synchronous and asynchronous online teaching.
EOTP is made up of 4 Pathway courses:
- Creating a Productive Online Learning Environment
- Promoting Active Learning Online
- Inspiring Inquiry and Lifelong Learning in Your Online Course
- Designing Learner-Centered Course
ACUE delivers the only nationally recognized Certification in Effective Teaching, endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE) and supported by a vibrant online community of practice.
ACUE offers two Certification courses:
You can earn your certification by completing a single comprehensive course consisting of four blocks or by completing four Pathway courses. Each Pathway course consists of 6 or 7 modules.
https://acue.org/offerings/certifications/#Certification-in-Effective-Teaching
Pathway courses are the 6- or 7-module courses that, when taken together, make up a certification course.
Note: Pathway courses were formerly referred to as microcredentials, or micros.
Modules are the learning blocks of a Pathway course. Each Pathway course contains up to seven modules. These units of study help organize the content within the Pathway and contain all topics aligned to the Effective Teaching Framework®
- Certificates can be earned when faculty complete all four Pathways, either in ETP or EOTP.
- Shareable badges for modules, certifications and Quick Studies
- Endorsements can be earned through ACUE Commons. Our first endorsement, AI for Higher Ed, is available now with, more to come in 2026
Yes, our courses can be purchased individually. Fill out our interest form to enroll
Our individual pathway course pricing is $679 per course. Faculty can take four pathway courses to earn a certification.
For institutional or small-group pricing options, please reach out to courses@acue.org
A National Cohort is a cohort with a set start date comprised of faculty from multiple institutions.
Note: National Cohorts were previously called Open Enrollment (OE). If someone refers to Open Enrollment/OE, they are talking about a National Cohort.
An Institutional Cohort is a group of course-takers from the same institution all enrolled in the course at the same time and completing it simultaneously.
ACUE Complete is our full ecosystem of solutions for every educator, at every stage, across your entire institution.
Through ACUE Complete, you can provide your faculty with comprehensive access to:
- Effective Teaching 101: ACUE’s self-paced essentials course for new faculty and graduate assistants. Faculty can jumpstart their path to and receive credit toward certification with Effective Teaching 101.
- Certification in Effective Teaching: ACUE’s nationally recognized certification that leads to measurable gains in student learning, retention, and completion
- Certification in Effective Online Teaching: Our certification designed for instructors teaching in an online format that helps them master active learning and student engagement in an online environment
- Advanced Certification in Effective Teaching: ACUE’s highest-level certification combining both Effective Teaching and Effective Online Teaching Pathways, ensuring faculty master proven practices across both teaching modalities
- Effective Teaching Certification with Nursing Pathway: Built on ACUE’s Certification in Effective Teaching, with discipline-specific applications aligned to AACN Essentials
- ACUE Commons: A vibrant community of practice that deepens teaching excellence with a library of Quick Studies on emerging topics like AI, expert events, and curated teaching resources
ACUE Commons is a dynamic online community designed to deepen and sustain faculty growth. It supports institutions in fostering ongoing learning, cultivating community, and driving innovation through continuous professional development, meaningful connections, and timely Quick Studies shaped by current trends in higher education.
Enrolling in any ACUE certification course unlocks the full range of community features, empowering faculty to continually grow their practice. Even if your faculty aren’t on a path to certification yet, your institution can still join Commons to access core community features and enjoy numerous benefits—with the full suite of tools and resources unlocked once courses are added. https://acue.org/offerings/acue-commons/#contact-form
One-hour Quick Studies give faculty flexible, focused learning on today’s themes in higher education—from AI and deliberative dialogue to student well-being and career readiness. With new courses added regularly, Commons helps faculty stay current, adaptable, and confident in their teaching. Our self-paced Quick Studies are available to all ACUE Commons members.
