Undergraduate Teaching

Teaching a subject to someone else is an excellent way to ensure your own mastery of it. Many of our faculty members allow juniors and seniors to help in the classroom.

The rewards of teaching abound. You can help fellow students learn the material you have already mastered, reinforce your own learning, build your college résumé, and gain confidence and satisfaction from helping others to learn.

The University of Pittsburgh has many opportunities for undergraduates who would like to assist with the teaching of their peers. Contact the Office of Experiential Learning to learn about opportunities such as First Experiences in Teaching (below), Seminar in Peer Helping, and Peer Led Study Groups.

For those who prefer to help fellow students on a one-on-one basis or in small groups, the Academic Resource Center offers tutoring positions.

First Experiences in Teaching

The First Experiences in Teaching program offers opportunities for Arts and Sciences undergraduates to become involved in teaching projects as part of courses currently offered in the social sciences, humanities, or natural sciences.

Students work with a faculty member on a teaching-related project for five or 10 hours per week. They also meet every other week with a group of other students involved in teaching project. The Peer Group meetings complement the teaching experience by offering a program that expands awareness of teaching and learning.

Students receive one or two credits depending on the number of hours they are engaged in their teaching activities. Students who qualify for Federal Work Study can opt for an hourly wage rather than credit.

To participate, students must be in good academic standing and have successfully completed the course which they wish to support. Students should talk with the professors about working with these faculty mentors on teaching projects for specific classes.

Teaching Awards

The Chancellor’s Undergraduate Teaching Fellowships encourage the enrichment of course offerings and help improve teaching by supporting the collaboration of students with faculty members in planning and implementing creative teaching projects.

We also encourage students to consider nominating excellent teachers for the Tina and David Bellet Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellence Award.

Other Teaching Opportunities

Teach For America

Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates of all academic majors who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become leaders in the effort to expand educational opportunity. It's an incredible opportunity to enact change directly after graduation. Application materials are available on Teach for America's Web site at www.teachforamerica.org.

Introduction to the Arts and Sciences

Introduction to the Arts and Sciences is a one-credit course that provides incoming freshmen in A&S a semester-long orientation to college life, the value of a liberal arts education, and the University of Pittsburgh. Students interested in assisting in this program should contact Laura Dice in the Office of Freshman Programs.

Linguistics Volunteers

Linguistics volunteers work with students for whom English is a foreign language in the Campus Conversation Courses. These positions are open to juniors and seniors. They work three hours per week and may earn one credit during the term. Please call 412-624-5929 for more information.

The Writing Center

Students who are interested in becoming Writing Center tutors must first complete the training course: Tutoring Peer Writers (ENGCMP 1210) offered in the fall each year followed by the accompanying required internship in the spring. Once training is complete, student tutors are able to work 10 hours per week. Contact Geeta Kothari for more information.