Undergraduate Tutorial Program

Tutoring Services | Student Responsibilities | Become a Tutor | Tutor Certification

Mission Statement

The Undergraduate Tutorial Program (UTP) within the Center for Academic Excellence strives to provide accessible and quality tutorial support to Hofstra undergraduate students in both individual and group settings during the fall and spring semesters. All members of the UTP are committed to upholding the values of personal and academic integrity, while empowering students to reach their goals for success. The UTP is accredited by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA), which sets an international standard of tutorial services and provides professional development opportunities for tutors, while also recognizing their achievements.

Undergraduate Tutorial Program Services:

Science Group Tutoring:

Drop-in Group Tutoring is available for several gateway courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Schedules are posted in Canvas by the second or third week of each semester under the courses titled Biology Tutoring, Chemistry Tutoring, and Physics Tutoring.

Supported courses vary but may include:

• Biology Group: BIOL 111, 112, 113, 122, 123, 134
• Chemistry Group: BCHM 162, BCHM 163, CHEM 003, CHEM 004, CHEM 131, CHEM 132
• Physics Group: PHYS 001, PHYS 002, PHYS 011, PHYS 012, ASTR 011, ASTR 012

Each group’s primary focus is to assist students in better understanding content discussed in the lectures and to foster a collaborative learning environment. Questions about associated laboratory coursework may be directed to the laboratory instructor for further assistance.  
Note: One-on-one tutoring is not available for the courses covered by our Science Groups.

Recommendations for the Group Tutoring Experience:

• Come prepared, having already reviewed content discussed in class that week.
• Be open to working with classmates. The tutors reserve the right to group students together if students have similar questions. This is an excellent way to hear other perspectives and form out-of-class study groups.
• Be patient and ready to work independently at times. During peak times of the semester, students may need to wait for assistance. Our tutors will do their best to circulate around the room.
• Understand that with limited seating, our tutors may limit the length of time students stay for a session. Our tutors must try to assist as many students as possible.
• Be respectful. This is a Hofstra University service and appropriate student conduct is expected at all times. See our Student Responsibilities below for more details.

Tutoring Appointments

Tutoring appointments (one-on-one or small group) are available for a variety of undergraduate courses that are not covered by our Science Groups. Subjects vary by semester but typically include: Business, Foreign Languages, Health Sciences, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences.

Appointments become available in the second or third week of the semester in Navigate. Detailed instructions are below. You are encouraged to schedule appointments before you experience serious academic difficulty, and we recommend utilizing tutoring regularly. 

How to Book Tutoring »
Appointment Limits: Each week you may select tutoring in up to three (3) courses we offer, and you may schedule two (2) appointments per course. There is a 24-hour booking deadline. Appointments are scheduled as 60-minute time slots and students can expect to work with their tutor for 45 minutes, with the last 15 minutes reserved for a summary of next steps. Appointments cannot be scheduled more than seven (7) days in advance.

Appointment Cancellation Policy: If you cancel an appointment with less than 24 hours’ notice or do not attend your appointment within the first 15 minutes, you will be marked as a “No Show / Late Cancellation.” If you receive three (3) “No Shows / Late Cancellations” on your record, Navigate will automatically suspend your access to UTP’s tutoring appointments for the remainder of the semester. If you have questions, please contact us at utp@hofstra.edu.

Student Responsibilities

Tutoring requires teamwork and students attending tutoring must take an active role in the learning process. By using our tutoring services, you agree to adhere to UTP’s policies and uphold your responsibilities as a student as detailed below.

• Tutoring is intended as a supplement to instruction provided by your professors and your own individual study time.
• Tutors will not re-lecture an entire class. Instead, they will guide you through the material so you can practice effective learning strategies.
• Tutors are not course instructors and tutors may have taken the course with an instructor different from yours. You are responsible for seeking clarification from your instructor as necessary.
• You must enter tutoring sessions prepared with your course materials (e.g., syllabus, textbooks, notes) and be ready to engage.
• You are expected to have read the required material and attempted assignments prior to attending tutoring sessions. Assignments cannot be completed with our tutors.
• You are expected to stay up to date with your lectures – whether this means attending in-person classes, watching prerecorded lectures, or attending synchronous virtual lectures. Tutoring does not count as class attendance.
• Tutors can only assist students registered for the corresponding course at Hofstra University. They can only work with you during their scheduled UTP tutoring hours. Please do not ask tutors to work with you outside of this capacity.
• You are expected to treat our tutors and other students attending sessions with respect at all times. Disruptive or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and may result in suspension of your tutoring access.
• You are expected to abide by academic honesty policies.
• You are solely responsible for your own learning and academic performance in the course.

Become a Tutor

The Undergraduate Tutorial Program (UTP) hires matriculated Hofstra students to serve as peer tutors. Tutors focus on clarifying course content and providing study strategies for a variety of undergraduate courses. Tutors receive an hourly wage as student employees. Interested candidates must possess a high level of competency and skill in their subject area. To be considered for this position, candidates must:

• Have sophomore class standing or higher.
• Have a minimum 3.25 GPA (minimum 3.5 GPA if graduate student) and be in good standing at the University.
• Have earned a minimum grade of B+ in the course(s). Note: transfer, IB, and AP credits may not be applicable. Special consideration is given to candidates fluent in a language if endorsed by an appropriate Hofstra faculty member.
• Have two faculty references for endorsements.
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Be punctual, organized, reliable, and responsible.
• Be committed to maintaining academic integrity.
• Be available for the entire semester (a minimum of 10 hours per week is ideal). Students expect to work with a tutor from the point they request assistance until the end of the semester.

Tutoring is scheduled Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Weekend tutoring may be available depending on the subject.

For student applicants: To apply for a tutor position, please use this application link.
For faculty: To recommend a student as a tutor, please use this endorsement form link.
Questions? Please contact us at utp@hofstra.edu or 516-463-4002.

Hear From Our Tutors

Tutor Certification

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The Undergraduate Tutorial Program has earned the College Reading and Learning Association’s (CRLA) International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC). This certification signifies UTP’s compliance with internationally recognized best practices in higher education tutorial services and allows UTP to formally certify its tutors through our tutor training program.

Benefits of Certification
The Undergraduate Tutorial Program offers its tutors access to three levels of certification through professional development trainings. Earning certification provides numerous benefits to our tutors, including:

• Learned skills and knowledge associated with best practices for academic support.
• Increased confidence in public speaking, group facilitation, academic organization, and teamwork.
• Reflection that leads to personal and professional growth.
• Strengthening one’s resume with an internationally recognized certificate.

Recognition for our tutors’ success also goes beyond certification. In 2022, UTP’s Physics and Astronomy Tutor Ronja Olsen (’24) was awarded CRLA’s "Rick Sheets Outstanding Tutor Award." This award is given annually to one peer tutor from any of the 1,200 CRLA-certified tutor training programs. It honors the work of undergraduate student tutors who contribute much to the academic success of their peers and motivate and inspire others through their dedication and passion for their work.