Sample of the Certificate of Outstanding Teaching Achievement from Harvard University

Sample of the Certificate of Outstanding Teaching Achievement from Harvard University,What does the certificate of outstanding teaching achievements from Harvard University mean?

What is the certificate of distinction in teaching at Harvard?
Harvard’s historic “Certificate of Distinction in Teaching” and “Certificate of Teaching Excellence” were teaching prizes historically issued by the Harvard Derek Bok Center and the Office of Undergraduate Education.

These legacy certificates were previously awarded each semester to graduate students, teaching fellows, and non-ladder faculty who achieved an average overall score of
or higher out of
on student evaluations (“Q evaluations”), provided they had at least five responses.

However, following a grading policy reform, Harvard discontinued these specific Q-score-based teaching awards. This decision was made to reduce external pressure on grading, allowing instructors to engage more productively with student feedback.

While these historical certificates are no longer awarded, the Harvard Derek Bok Center continues to offer structured pedagogical training, departmental teaching awards, and formal certificates of completion for their various short courses and pedagogical training programs.

What is the higher education teaching certificate from Harvard University?
Harvard offers the Higher Education Teaching Certificate through the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning and HarvardX. Designed for graduate students, current faculty, and industry professionals transitioning to academia, this 8-week online program teaches actionable postsecondary pedagogical methods, student engagement strategies, and portfolio development.