The School of Professional Studies (SPS) aims to guide students to become stakeholders in their academic journey by providing them with resources, data-driven programs, and tailored opportunities to support their success. Our students come to the University with a diverse set of lived experiences and our goal is to provide them with the necessary tools to navigate their time here. The School is seeking qualified and motivated tutors in a variety of academic fields to support the SPS student community in their studies. Content areas include: Programming (Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning), Tableau, Finance, Statistics, and Advanced Excel.

The Spring 2025 Application is now CLOSED. 

Apply Here

Application Opens: Monday, October 28, 2024
Application Closes: Friday, November 15, 2024

Tutor Compensation: $25.00 per hour
Hours Per Week: up to 15 hours
Modality: Hybrid
Anticipated Start Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Mandatory Training Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025

Tutors:

* Provide academic support during one-on-one sessions..
* Help students develop and implement academic success strategies.
* Share existing campus resources with tutees or make referrals, as needed.
* Demonstrate a commitment to academic integrity.
* Further develop their own communication skills, teaching strategies, and knowledge of their specific content area(s).
* Have the opportunity to improve their public speaking and workshop development skills.

Qualifications

Prospective tutors must...

* Be willing to commit at least one full semester to this position.
* Possess a positive attitude and a passion for helping others.
* Have strong interpersonal and communication skills.
* Be capable of working both individually and as part of a diverse team.
* Be able to effectively discuss complex academic concepts related to the subjects they wish to tutor.

Eligibility

Prospective tutors must...

* Be located in the United States.
* Be a continuing M.S. or M.P.S. student (not entering their first semester at SPS).
* Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.70.
* Have received a grade of a B+ or higher in all relevant coursework.
* Be in good academic and behavioral standing.
* Be actively enrolled in class during the semester(s) in which the student will be working.
* NOT be employed at Columbia University in any other capacity. (e.g., academic (TA), administrative (casual), or work study).

Required Application Documents

1. Tutor Application Form:
   1.    Resume and/or CV
   2.    Columbia University Transcript. Unofficial copies (e.g. screenshots of SSOL) are acceptable. First semester students without transcripts may submit screenshots of current grades on Canvas in relevant courses as a placeholder until final grades are ready for review. 
2. Faculty Recommendation Form (http://bit.ly/spsfacultyrecform): Students interested in becoming tutors are required to have an SPS faculty member submit a recommendation form on their behalf. Ideally, the faculty member will have taught a course in the subject area of interest and can speak to the student's mastery of the material. If necessary, students are encouraged to ask more than one faculty member for a recommendation to ensure each subject area is accounted for. For example, if one faculty member can attest to the student's skills in Python while another can attest to their skills in Statistics, then two recommendations should be submitted. Students are solely responsible for identifying and reaching out to faculty members to submit the recommendation form on their behalf. Applications will not be considered complete until a faculty recommendation for each subject is submitted. Non-SPS faculty recommendations will not be accepted. PLEASE NOTE: If your faculty recommender does not have an account on SPS Engage, they must reach out to sps-tutoring [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu to request one. 

Applications submitted missing any of the aforementioned components will be marked as incomplete and therefore excluded from consideration.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY NOTICE: Students are responsible for submitting their own application responses. Those found using AI services like ChatGPT to complete their application may be reported to the Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI) for an academic integrity violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: "I was just admitted to SPS. Am I eligible to be a tutor?"
A: No. Students entering their first semester at SPS are not eligible to tutor. Only continuing students entering their second semester or beyond can apply. This is to guarantee that our tutors have experience taking relevant courses at SPS and can receive recommendations from SPS faculty.

Q: "I just applied to be an SPS Tutor. When can I expect to hear back?"
A: Applicants typically hear back from our team anywhere between 3 to 4 weeks past the application deadline for that given semester. Please be patient as our team works to review each candidate's materials. 

Q: "Can my faculty recommender be a professor from my undergraduate institution?"
A: No. Faculty recommendations must come from SPS faculty members, preferably someone who has taught a course relevant to the subjects you wish to tutor.

Q: "I will be entering my second semester but I do not have a GPA yet. What should I write on the application?"
A: Please write "0.0" in the required GPA question. We will conduct a final review of course grades and GPAs prior to formally hiring.

Q: "When do you hire tutors? Can I apply any time?"
A: We have two application cycles per academic year: once over the summer for open fall positions, and once late in the fall semester/early winter session for open spring positions. We do not hire year-round.

Q: "Do tutors work over the summer?"
A: No, tutors do not work over the summer. Tutoring is only offered during the fall and spring semesters.

Any other questions? Please contact sps-tutoring [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu.

Registration for Spring 2025 will open on Friday, January 24, 2025 and appointments will begin on Monday January 27, 2025.

Read the steps below to learn how to access the appointment centers and schedule a session with a tutor. 

1. Register for the SPS Tutoring Program by filling out the REQUIRED form on SPS Engage. You will need your Columbia UNI and password to access the registration page. Once your registration is submitted, you will automatically gain access to the appointment centers linked below. The policies and expectations outlined in the registration form can be found in the Student Tutoring Agreement.
2. View tutor appointment slots on SPS Engage. Appointment slots will become available on a monthly basis.
3. Schedule an appointment with a tutor by clicking on an available time slot. Answer all required registration questions accurately. Please be as detailed as possible in your responses. A confirmation email and a calendar invitation with the location will be sent after the session is created. Please note that any appointments scheduled with false or incomplete information will be canceled without notice.
4. Once your session is over, submit responses for the SPS Tutoring Session Survey (optional). Students utilizing tutoring services are asked to complete this evaluation form in order for us to continuously assess and improve the tutoring program. Your responses will not be shared with the tutors. Any questions or concerns can be sent to sps-tutoring [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu.

Subject-Based Tutoring

Alice Liu - Python, R, SQL, Tableau 

Asha Deepika Balla - R, Machine Learning, Statistics, SQL, Finance, Advanced Excel, Tableau  

Jingxuan Ma - R, Machine Learning, Advanced Excel, Statistics

Regita Zakia - SQL, Statistics, R, Machine Learning

Violeta Lennon - SQL, Tableau, Advanced Excel

Miaoer Mo - R, Machine Learning, SQL, Tableau

English Language Tutoring

Susan Cafetz - English Speaking, English Writing

Shelley Saltzman - English Speaking, English Writing

Need to cancel or reschedule your appointment? Learn how.

Please be mindful of the attendance policy, which outlines that cancellations must be made at least 24-hours in advance. If a student cancels a session more than two times, or fails to attend a session without prior notice more than two times, that student will not be able to schedule another appointment in the current semester. Continuous cancellations or skipped appointments will result in complete removal from the program.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students are expected to attend the sessions they sign up for. If circumstances change, students MUST cancel or reschedule their appointment at-least 24-hours in advance. If a student cancels a session more than two times, or fails to attend a session without prior notice more than two times, that student will not be able to schedule another appointment in the current semester. Continuous cancellations or skipped appointments over multiple semesters will result in complete removal from the program.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

Students are not permitted to request help with nor receive assistance on any examination, take-home test, homework, or other graded assignment for which they do not have the explicit permission from the instructor to seek help from a tutor. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain clarification from their instructors if they are uncertain about their policies or expectations. Furthermore, tutors have the discretion to refuse to assist students with any assignments if the tutor believes that such assistance may be a violation of academic integrity, even if the student believes that help on the assignment would be permissible. Students are expected to uphold all ethical standards in accordance with the expectations of the School of Professional Studies and academic integrity standards.

SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS

Subject-based tutoring is offered both virtually and in-person, with appointments lasting 1 hour and 50-minutes. English language tutoring is only offered both virtually and in-person, with appointments lasting 50-minutes. All appointments are one-on-one sessions and must be booked solely through SPS Engage. 

Subject-based Tutoring: Students are limited to scheduling two individual tutoring sessions per subject, per week. Any sessions booked beyond this limitation will be canceled without the student’s consent.

English Language Tutoring:  Students may only schedule one individual English Language tutoring session per week and a maximum of 4 individual English Language tutoring sessions over the course of a semester. Any sessions booked beyond this limitation will be canceled without the student’s consent.

Student Tutoring Agreement

All students who wish to utilize the SPS Tutoring Program MUST read and agree to the terms outlined in the Student Tutoring Agreement as part of the registration process. Any students in violation of this agreement are subject to removal from the SPS Tutoring Program and to any relevant Columbia University Student Conduct Policies.

HOW TO CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE A TUTORING APPOINTMENT

Responding "no" to the calendar invitation you receive after booking does not cancel your appointment. You must follow the instructions linked above to formally cancel or reschedule your appointment, otherwise you will be marked as a "no-show" and risk your removal from the program. 

Please be mindful of the attendance policy, which outlines that cancelations must be made at least 24-hours in advance. If a student cancels a session more than two times, or fails to attend a session without prior notice more than two times, that student will not be able to schedule another appointment in the current semester. Continuous cancellations or skipped appointments will result in complete removal from the program.

How much does tutoring cost?

Tutoring is a FREE resource for SPS students.

How can the tutors help me?

The purpose of tutoring is to provide short-term academic assistance for SPS students looking to become independent learners. Tutors can help clarify course material, work through challenging topics, and provide effective study tips and strategies for academic success. Tutors are NOT responsible for teaching you course material that you missed in class or helping you cram for an exam or quiz. They are also not permitted to provide assistance on graded assignments. 

Can I get help in more than one subject?

Yes! But please note that for Subject-based tutoring students are limited to two appointments per subject per week. For English Language tutoring, students may only schedule one tutoring appointment per week and a maximum of 4 individual English Language tutoring sessions over the course of a semester. You can find more information about our scheduling policies by reading the Student Tutoring Agreement.

What is the attendance policy?

Students are expected to attend the sessions they sign up for. If circumstances change and students need to cancel or reschedule their appointments, they must do so at least 24-hours in advance. Cancelling a session more than two times (either before or after the 24 hour mark) or failing to attend a session without prior notice more than two times will result in a student's removal from the program for the current semester. Continuous cancellations or skipped appointments over multiple semesters will result in a student's complete removal from the program for the remainder of their time at SPS. Exceptions may be made under extenuating circumstances.

For questions for concerns about the attendance policy, email sps-tutoring [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu. 

How should I prepare for a tutoring session?

• Go to class, actively listen, take notes, and address questions with your instructor/TA to clarify any difficulties or problem areas you are experiencing with the material.
• Attempt to do your assignments and/or practice problems before asking for help.
• Identify specific areas where help is needed prior to attending a session. Remember, your tutor is not an instructor and will not prepare an agenda for the session - this is your responsibility.
• Come to your session prepared with all the necessary materials: class notes, textbooks, readings, handouts, syllabus, software, etc.
• Be ready to actively participate during your session!

Who are the tutors?

Our subject-based tutors are current SPS students who demonstrate academic excellence both inside and outside of the classroom. Each subject-based tutor receives professional training from SPS staff. Our English Language tutors are ALP faculty members who volunteer their time to assist SPS students in enhancing their technical English speaking and writing skills. 

What kind of training do tutors receive?

Our subject-based tutors receive extensive training from professional staff on tutoring concepts, best practices, and mentorship strategies. Prior to hiring, subject-based tutors are also required to showcase academic excellence in their time thus far at SPS.

Who is eligible to participate in the SPS Tutoring Program?

Tutoring is available for all currently enrolled M.S. and M.P.S. students at the School of Professional Studies.

Are students automatically assigned a tutor?

No, students are not automatically assigned a tutor. Participation in this program is voluntary. Students interested in tutoring sessions are responsible for finding an available tutor and scheduling an appointment through their student account on SPS Engage. Registration is required to access the appointment centers.

How can SPS Tutoring assist my students?

The SPS Tutoring Program is intended to complement classroom instruction and promote student success by creating educational environments that encourage independent learning and individual growth. Tutoring sessions allow students to meet one-on-one with a tutor to review course material and ask questions. Tutoring should always be used in conjunction with instructor and/or TA office hours. The purpose of a tutor is to guide and explain concepts so that students can obtain the skills to fully integrate course material. A tutor will not complete assignments, exams, or projects.

What happens during a tutoring session?

Students and tutors work together to set and achieve academic goals and discuss strategies for success in the classroom. Tutors help students with difficult concepts in their courses and answer questions relating to the material.

Why is a student contacting me for a recommendation?

As part of our application process, students are required to receive a faculty recommendation for each subject they wish to tutor. We ask that faculty only provide recommendations for the subjects they have seen the tutor exhibit skills in, either in the courses they teach or through applicable co-curricular activities. The student is responsible for sending you the link to the recommendation form. Formal letters of recommendation are not necessary. Your responses are kept confidential from the student and should reflect your honest analysis of the student's knowledge and skills. 

Who are the tutors?

Our subject-based tutors are current SPS students who demonstrate academic excellence both inside and outside of the classroom. Each subject-based tutor receives professional training from SPS staff. Our English Language tutors are ALP faculty members who volunteer their time to assist SPS students in enhancing their technical English speaking and writing skills. 

What kind of training do tutors receive?

Our subject-based tutors receive extensive training from professional staff on tutoring concepts, best practices, and mentorship strategies. Prior to hiring, subject-based tutors are also required to showcase academic excellence in their time thus far at SPS.

What are the requirements to become a tutor?

Prospective tutors must...
* Be located in the United States.
* Be a continuing M.S. or M.P.S. student (not entering their first semester at SPS).
* Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.70.
* Have received a grade of a B+ or higher in all relevant coursework.
* Be in good academic & behavioral standing.
* Be actively enrolled in class during the semester(s) in which the student will be working.
* NOT be employed at Columbia University in any other capacity. (e.g., academic (TA), administrative (casual), or work study).
* Complete the online application form in its entirety.
* Obtain a faculty recommendation (SPS faculty only) for each subject they wish to tutor, preferably from a faculty member who has taught a course in the subject area of interest and can speak to the student's mastery of the material.

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