Are you looking for extra help with your coursework? 

Many of Valpo’s academic departments and professional colleges offer academic support in conjunction with particular courses.  Undergraduate teaching assistants and student aides provide help sessions for group and individual tutoring for first and second year courses free of charge to students.  The university's learning centers (Writing Center, Language Resource Center, Hesse Learning Center and Academic Success Center) offer a variety group and individual learning assistance primarily at the undergraduate level.   If you are a graduate student, the Graduate Tutoring Lab offers peer tutoring services and the School of Law offers its own Academic Success Program for first-year students.

How do I find the most appropriate academic support services to fit my needs?

The best place to start is to ask your professors, as well as your academic advisor, if there are any academic support opportunities related to the courses in which you seek additional assistance.  Another step is to use the Academic Support Directory or contact the ASC to point you in the right direction for campus-wide services and resources.

Academic Success Center:  Supplemental Instruction & Peer Tutoring Programs

The ASC functions as a coordination site for programs that bring together resources from across the university to provide students with additional learning opportunities.   Supplemental Instruction provides three weekly peer-led review sessions for BIO 151/152, BIO 171/172, and CHEM 111/121/122.  The Peer Tutoring Program is a student-tutor match program that provides weekly learning assistance (in small groups) for many 100-200 level courses and for general English language skills (for ESL students).

Conditions for Placement in the Peer Tutoring Program:

Before applying for the program, students are expected to talk to their professor and attend any available first-level academic support services, such as professor office hours, department help sessions, SI sessions and drop-in tutoring available at the Writing Center, Language Resource Center and Hesse Learning Center.  Spots in program may be limited based on the demand and availability of peer tutors.  Students must be currently enrolled in the undergraduate course for which they seek assistance.

How do I request a spot in the Peer Tutoring Program?

Students who would like to receive the assistance of a peer tutor may apply through the ASC by completing the Peer Tutoring Request form.  A link to the request form will be available on this page after the drop/add period is complete at the start of the fall and spring semesters.  Students who are placed in the program receive 1 weekly tutoring session (with the same tutor) for a specific undergraduate course and/or ESL support. (Fall and Spring semesters only.)

• Spring 2013 Program is Closed  
• The last day to submit a request for the Spring 2013 program is April 12 at noon.  After this deadline, the Spring 2013 is closed and the ASC will no longer place new students into the program.  

Who are the peer tutors?

Students who serve as tutors have successfully completed the courses for which they provide tutoring and receive recommendations from their professors.  Tutors must show academic proficiency in the course with a grade of A or B, must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, and have good interpersonal communication skills.  Tutors are expected to maintain confidentiality, work well with peers and faculty and be prompt for tutoring sessions.  Tutors complete employment forms, maintain tutoring reports and are paid through the Work Study Program. 

Are you interested in becoming a peer tutor?

If you are a sophomore, junior or senior at Valpo, you may submit an application and faculty recommendation forms to the Academic Success Center at any time.  Key hiring periods are April-May for fall semester positions and November-December for spring semester.  For more information, click here to access the job description, application and faculty recommendation form.