Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research (STAR)

Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research (STAR)
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Student Experience
Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research (STAR)
Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research (STAR)
Prepare for advanced careers in academia with our Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research (STAR) program. Master key skills in curriculum design, advanced research, and teaching and mentorship to stand out in higher education roles.
Credits Earned
12
Required Courses
4
UNIVERSITY LEARNING EXPERIENCES:
Virtual Learning Experience – Optional
Community Learning Experience – Optional
Position Yourself for Success in Academia
The Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research (STAR) program was created in direct response to student requests for career preparation for roles in higher education. Postsecondary teaching positions in academia often require evidence of teaching experience and a record of research and scholarly publication beyond dissertations—the STAR program helps you build a scholarly portfolio for exactly this purpose.
Shape Your Learning
Rooted in humanistic principles, the STAR program’s learner-centered approach empowers you to take ownership of your growth. You will choose three core courses aligned with your professional goals in teaching, curriculum design, grant writing, or scholarly publication, developing concrete portfolio pieces along the way that showcase your growth and readiness for leadership roles in higher education.
Receive One-On-One Mentorship
After completing the core courses, you will work closely with a faculty research mentor to apply your scholarly portfolio to your academic career goals. Mentors will guide you in refining your skills, advancing publication plans, building professional networks, and engaging in other academic opportunities to help you strategically position your coursework to your professional goals.
Prepare and Present Advanced Research
The program culminates in the STAR Learner Research Symposium, where you will present original research, receive peer feedback, and showcase your work to a broad academic audience. This experience sharpens your presentation skills and adds professional-quality work to your portfolio.
Through STAR, you will graduate with the experience, publications, and scholarly portfolio other candidates lack, giving you a competitive edge in securing teaching and research positions.
Components of Your Scholarly Portfolio
The STAR program is designed to help you build a scholarly portfolio that demonstrates your professional readiness upon completing the specialization. Choosing three of the following four core courses, you will develop tangible materials that showcase your teaching, research, and leadership abilities.
These core courses include:
Grant Writing
: Craft grant proposals and build a professional toolkit that highlights your ability to secure funding for research or program development.
Teaching and Instruction for Higher Education
: Create a written teaching philosophy, design instructional materials, and gain classroom practice to demonstrate your teaching competence.
Curriculum Development and Instructional Design
: Produce a curriculum map and course syllabi that exemplify your capacity to design engaging and effective learning experiences.
Academic Publication and Presentation
: Transform your research into a manuscript or conference presentation, developing both the content and presentation skills that strengthen your academic portfolio.
Following completion of your selected courses, you will work closely with a faculty mentor to refine your portfolio, connect it to your professional goals, and develop strategies to advance your research and career opportunities in higher education.
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Program Components
Admissions Requirements
You do not need to submit an application to begin the specialization; enrollment occurs later in the doctoral program once you become eligible.
The STAR program is open to current Saybrook doctoral students in these doctoral programs:
Ph.D. in Applied Psychophysiology
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition
Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work
Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine
Ph.D. in Psychology
Ph.D. in Transformative Social Change
Cost
Saybrook wants you to have the information you need to make an informed decision about your academic and career aspirations. Our cost calculator provides an estimated cost of attending Saybrook to earn your Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research.
Cost Calculators
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Course Descriptions
Research Mentoring and Professional Development (3 Credits, Required)
In this capstone experience, you will receive one-on-one guidance from expert faculty mentors who help shape and refine your academic portfolio. You will also gain support in preparing research for publication, developing a clear professional trajectory, and positioning yourself for success in academic and research-driven careers.
Curriculum Development and Instructional Design (3 Credits)
You will learn how to design and produce a curriculum map and a complete syllabus for a course in your field of expertise. Gain hands-on experience creating engaging, effective, learning experiences that can be included in your professional academic portfolio.
Grant Writing (3 Credits)
This course will help you build a comprehensive grant writing toolkit that includes identifying potential funders, crafting persuasive proposals, and developing strategies for sustainable funding. This course strengthens essential skills for nonprofit leadership, director-level academic positions, and research-focused roles where securing funding is critical.
Academic Publication and Presentation (3 Credits)
In this course, you will develop a manuscript suitable for peer-reviewed publication and prepare an academic presentation for a professional conference. This course equips you with the practical skills and confidence needed to navigate the world of scholarly publishing, share original research, and engage effectively with academic communities.
Teaching and Instruction for Higher Education (3 Credits)
This course provides learners with theoretical understanding and practical skills for effective teaching and instruction in higher education. Learners will understand historical and critical learning theory principles and practice evidence-based instructional strategies to create inclusive, engaging, and student-centered learning experiences. Learners create and present teaching lectures, instructional materials, assessments, and a written teaching philosophy relative to their topic of interest.
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Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research Job Outcomes
Graduates of the STAR program will be prepared for a variety of roles in academia, from teaching and research positions to professional opportunities that support and shape academic institutions. Potential careers include:
Professor (assistant, associate, full)
Lecturer/instructor
Adjunct faculty
Postdoctoral researcher
Grants manager
Instructional designer
Curriculum developer
Researcher
Learn more
Specialization Faculty
Dr. Walker Ladd
Chair, Department of Research
Director, Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research
Associated Faculty, Humanistic Clinical Psychology
Co-Facilitator, Maternal Mental Health Professional Learning Community
No related faculty found.
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