Program Overview

Introduction to the Diamond Peer Teachers Program

The Diamond Peer Teachers Program is a competitive program that provides upper-division undergraduates at Temple University with the opportunity to experience the challenges and rewards of college-level teaching. This program allows students to develop their own pedagogical skills by working closely with their faculty mentors and to provide supplemental instruction in lower-level and GenEd courses.

Program Eligibility

Student Eligibility:

• Current full-time undergraduates from all Temple schools and colleges.
• Declared major in the field preferred; however, students interested in being a Peer Teacher in subject areas closely related to their major are also considered. Students in any major may peer teach in GenEd.
• Cumulative GPA 3.25 at the time of application.
• Completed at least two full-time years of college-level study by the end of the semester in which they are applying. Transfer students must have completed at least one out of the two years of college-level study at Temple.
• Have earned at least an A- in the course for which they are applying to be a Peer Teacher. Courses in progress are not eligible.
• Must not work more than 10 hours/week at an additional campus job during the program.
• Attendance at the required all-day Peer Teaching Institute held in-person on main campus the Friday before the semester begins.
• Have identified and reached out to a full-time Temple faculty member (prior to preparing an application) who has agreed to serve as their faculty mentor and in whose class they will peer teach.

Course Eligibility:

• Only courses that meet the eligibility criteria below will be available for selection in the online application system. It is the applicant's responsibility to check with their faculty mentor before selecting a course to ensure that the desired course will be taught in the relevant semester.
• Applicant has previously taken the course and received at least an A-. Courses currently in progress are not eligible.
• Course numbered below 3000 OR any GenEd course.

Faculty Mentor Eligibility

• Full-time (tenure or non-tenure track) faculty; adjunct/part-time faculty are not eligible.
• Faculty mentor must be the instructor of the course that the applicant will be a DPT for.
• Faculty mentor must write a letter of recommendation for the applicant.

Program Requirements

• Attend the all-day Peer Teaching Institute held in-person on main campus the Friday immediately before the beginning of the semester.
• Commit 12-15 hours per week during the semester to:
  • Attend the class in which they are a Peer Teacher;
  • Provide regularly scheduled tutoring/class contact for students in the class (one-two hours for every hour of class);
  • Keep two hours of "office hours" per week to meet individually with students;
  • Attend weekly meetings with their Faculty mentor;
  • Attend scheduled meetings with other Peer Teachers.
• Submit a mid-term self-assessment.
• Submit a report/self-assessment on their experience at the end of the semester.
• Must not work more than 10 hours/week at an additional campus job during the program.

Stipends and Credits

• Peer Teachers receive a stipend of $3,000 for approximately 15 weeks (including the pre-semester Peer Teaching Institute).
• Peer Teachers are registered by program staff for a one (1) credit hour Peer Teacher Internship course.

Application Components

• Application Essay: In a brief essay (approximately 500-750 words), please address the following topics: How will this experience help you in attaining your academic and professional goals? How do you plan to assist enrolled students in your course? How are you prepared for this role? What can you contribute to the community of peer teachers?
• Faculty Mentor Letter of Recommendation: Please see the "Faculty Mentor Information and Resources" for more details.