SUNY COIL Instructor Trainer Certification: Evidence Pathway
The SUNY COIL Instructor Trainer Certification recognizes experienced COIL practitioners who have completed substantial professional development outside of SUNY COIL and have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and leadership necessary to train and mentor others in the COIL methodology.
This Alternative Evidence Pathway provides qualified applicants with an opportunity to demonstrate equivalency to the SUNY COIL Foundations, Elements, and Design workshop sequence through documented experience, reflective practice, and instructional leadership.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must submit evidence demonstrating their preparation to design, facilitate, and support COIL initiatives, as well as their readiness to train other educators.
1. Professional Development Reflection
Submit a reflective narrative describing professional development completed through or with alternative pathways to SUNY COIL workshops: Foundation, Elements, Design, Coordinator OR specific COIL or Virtual Exchange training programs (e.g., UniCollaborate, Stevens Initiative, or comparable recognized programs). The reflection should identify the specific COIL competencies developed and explain how the training prepared the applicant to design COIL projects.
2. Evidence of COIL Practice
Provide documentation and descriptions of at least three COIL projects that the applicant has either:
- Designed and facilitated, or
- Supported in a coordinator, instructional design, or faculty development capacity.
Submissions should demonstrate effective partnership development, project implementation, intercultural learning design, and student engagement.
3. Faculty Development Curriculum
Submit a faculty training curriculum that includes lesson plans, workshop materials, activities, or facilitation guides demonstrating how the applicant would prepare instructors to implement COIL. Materials should reflect SUNY COIL principles and effective faculty development practices.
4. Application to Practice Statement
Provide a statement describing how the applicant intends to apply the knowledge and skills gained through prior training to mentor, support, and train faculty members at their institution or within their professional network.
Guided Practicum
Applicants must successfully complete a mentored teaching experience that includes:
- Co-facilitation of one SUNY COIL Foundations or Elements Workshop
- Co-facilitation of one SUNY COIL Design Workshop
- Participation in structured feedback and coaching conversations with SUNY COIL facilitators
The practicum is designed to ensure consistency with SUNY COIL pedagogical approaches and faculty development standards.
Final Reflective Portfolio
Upon completion of the practicum, applicants will submit a final reflection (approximately 500 words) documenting key learning outcomes from:
- Previous COIL professional development experiences
- The co-teaching practicum
- Feedback received from SUNY COIL facilitators
- Their evolving role as a COIL trainer and mentor
Certification Award
Individuals who successfully complete all requirements will be awarded the SUNY COIL Certified Instructor Trainer Badge and Certificate. This credential signifies that the recipient has demonstrated advanced expertise in COIL pedagogy, faculty development, partnership cultivation, and program implementation, and is prepared to mentor and train educators using the SUNY COIL framework.
Certification Use Guidelines
SUNY COIL Certified Instructor Trainers may reference their certification and display the official SUNY COIL Certified Instructor Trainer badge in professional materials.
Certification does not grant permission to use the SUNY COIL logo in marketing, advertising, endorsements, or representations implying institutional affiliation, sponsorship, or formal approval beyond the certification itself. All use of SUNY COIL trademarks and logos remains subject to SUNY COIL Center policies and permissions.