Teaching in Higher Education: Is There a Need for Training in Pedagogy in Graduate Degree Programs?.

The number of students graduating with masters’ and doctoral degrees from the State University System of Florida (SUSF) has increased over the past thirty years. However, no research has been conducted concerning the preparation of graduates to teach in higher education. PK-12 teachers are taught how to teach. Should college and university faculty members also receive instruction in pedagogy? Graduate curricula have a focus on a discipline’s knowledge base and research. It is postulated that college and university faculty members should possess pedagogical skills, have knowledge of lesson planning, and know how to deliver content. This research sought to ascertain professors’ level of perceived need for graduate degree programs to include training in pedagogy that prepares students to teach in higher education. To what extent do university professors perceive a need for graduate degree programs to include training in pedagogy to prepare students to teach in higher education was the research question behind the inquiry. Two hundred full and part-time faculty members in the State University System of Florida responded to survey items, which rendered an overall mean that addressed the research question.