Teacher Accreditation

The model has two levels: accredited and excellent teacher. In order to be appointed to excellent teacher, you should previously have been appointed to accredited teacher. Each level is described by a number of criteria concerning teacher expertise. In order to be accredited, all criteria for the level in question should be fulfilled. The aim of the model for teacher accreditation is to contribute to the quality improvement of the education by stimulating teachers to develop their teaching and learning competence, and encourage departments to create good conditions for educational development. The process gives the teacher an opportunity to develop his or her role as a teacher, both individually and as a group. Accreditation also gives a salary supplement (for the time being half a docent salary supplement for an accredited teacher and a full docent salary supplement for an excellent teacher). 

Here you can apply for teacher accreditation (the application is open from October 1 to October 15 each year).

Here you can find the call for applying for teacher accreditation at Mid Sweden university.

Here you can find all the documents about the teacher accreditation process, including instructions for applicants.

Management process

The Committee for Teacher Accreditation processes the applications. If the prerequisites are fulfilled and approved by the head of department and the head of subject, the Academic Appointments Board of your  faculty decides whether the applications are to be sent to two external educational experts. Based on their quality audits, the Academic Appointments Boards commission the Committee for Teacher Accreditation to continue the management process by presenting them to the Academic Appointments Boards. Thereafter, each faculty respectively makes the final decision about appointments. 

Requirements

You are qualified as an applicant if you hold a post with conditional tenure at Mid Sweden University and if you have at least five years experience from teaching in higher education, equivalent to at least two years of full-time teaching. In addition, your education should match the demands for subject-related qualifications and qualifying courses for academic teaching (SUHF 2016:1) of at least 15 course credits or ten weeks. Applicants to accredited teacher need a first-cycle academic qualification or a first-cycle qualification in the fine, applied and performing arts.  Applicants to excellent teacher need a second-cycle academic qualification or a second-cycle qualification in the fine, applied and performing arts. The requirements should be supported by a certificate signed by the head of department and the head of subject. 

Support

The Division of Research and Educational Support (FUS) provides support for teachers in how to write a teaching portfolio. Each spring term, you can join the course Writing a Teaching portfolio. If you want to apply for excellent teacher, FUS offers a workshop each spring. The Committee for Teacher Accreditation gives support concerning questions about the accreditation process or if you are in need of validating courses in teaching and learning in higher education. The committee can be contacted via pedagogiskmeritering@miun.se. Questions about your application and its management can be answered by your faculty office.