Diamond Peer Teachers Program

Students discussing around table

The Diamond Peer Teachers application is currently OPEN! The application link can be found in the "How to Apply" section below.

The deadline for student submissions is February 24th, 2025 at 11:59pm. 

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

Approximately 20 positions will be available per semester. Previous Diamond Peer Teachers cannot reapply to the program.

Eligibility (Please Read Carefully Before Beginning Application)

 

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 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

Diamond Peer Teachers may only work in non-Honors courses, though exceptions can be made when other options are unavailable. If the desired previously taken course was Honors, applicant should first check with faculty mentor about the availability of a non-Honors section.

Faculty Mentor Eligibility

  • Full-time (tenure or non-tenure track) faculty; adjunct/part-time faculty are not eligible. Please check with proposed mentor if unsure.
  • Faculty mentor must be instructor of course that applicant will be a DPT for.
  • Faculty mentor must write letter of recommendation for 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.
    • Peer Teachers will be hired by Temple and receive a stipend through university payroll. 10 hours per week will be entered for them (no clocking in or out required). Any additional job on campus must not exceed 10 hours per week to remain within guidelines for full-time students.
Stipends and Credits
  • Peer Teachers receive a stipend of $3,000 for approx. 15 weeks (including the pre-semester Peer Teaching Institute).
    • Peer Teachers will be hired by Temple and receive a stipend through university payroll. 10 hours per week will be entered for them (no clocking in or out required). Any additional job on campus must not exceed 10 hours per week to remain within guidelines for full-time students.
  • Peer Teachers are registered by program staff for a one (1) credit hour Peer Teacher Internship course.
Faculty Mentor Information and Resources

Information about the program and faculty mentor responsibilities can be found here. All applicants should share this information with proposed mentors.

Faculty mentors will be notified by email after a student submits their application, prompting them to submit a letter of recommendation. Recommendations must be submitted through the TUportal in order to be considered. Faculty may consult this portal application guide to familiarize themselves with the online submission format.

How to Apply

Please use the online application linked below to apply. We recommend that students start a draft application well before the deadline to view the prompts and ensure there are no access issues. Drafts can be saved and edited at a later date until submission. Applicants will typically be notified within 4 weeks of the application deadline.

Faculty mentors will be notified by email after a student submits their application, prompting them to submit a letter of recommendation. Recommendations must be submitted through the TUportal in order to be considered.

Diamond Peer Teacher Application

Application Components

  • Application Essay
    • In a brief essay (approx. 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" tab of the accordion

 

If you have questions, please email:

Program Contact:


Associate Vice Provost
Undergraduate Studies


Assistant Director for Undergraduate Enrichment
Undergraduate Studies