Institute for Peer Education

The Institute for Peer Education (IPE) provides a certificate program through the College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA) to current peer educators and tutors on campus. Formed in Spring 2017, the Institute is a growing program at UT Dallas that aims to broaden the experience and knowledge that students gain during their service as peer educators.

About Us

The Institute for Peer Education’s goal is to provide recognition and positive reinforcement to students that complete a variety of trainings and tutoring or mentoring experience hours. The Institute offers Levels 1, 2, and 3 certification in peer educator training (International Peer Educator Training Program Certification, or IPTPC) and tutor training (International Tutor Training Program Certification, or ITTPC).

Certification

Level 1

Level 1 Requirements

Amount/Duration of Mentor Training (minimum of 10 hours)

  • Attend Institute #1 and #2

Areas/Topics to be Covered in Training

Topics to be covered in trainings may include:

  • The Role of the Peer Mentor
  • Peer Mentoring Dos and Don’ts
  • Professional Ethics for Peer Mentors
  • Establishing Rapport & Motivating Mentees
  • Questioning and Listening Skills
  • Preparing to Study: Organization, Class Analysis, and Time Management
  • Campus & Community Resources & Referrals

Required Mentoring Experience (25 total hours required)

  • 25 hours of mentoring experience
Level 2

Level 2 Requirements

Amount/Duration of Mentor Training (10 hours required)

  • Level 1 Certification plus 10 additional hours of Level 2 training

Areas/Topics to be Covered in Training

Topics to be covered in trainings include Level 1 required training topics plus the following:

  • Team Building
  • Mentoring Boundaries
  • Supervising and Training Your Peers
  • Constructive Feedback
  • Stress Management
  • Assessing Study Behaviors
  • Probing and Clarifying Questions
  • Community Resources
  • Critical Thinking
  • Professional Communication

Required Mentoring Experience (25 hours required)

  • Level 1 Certification (25 previous hours) plus experience to total 25 accumulated hours for Level 2.
Level 3

Level 3 Requirements

Amount/Duration of Mentor Training (10 hours)

  • Level 1 & 2 Certification plus 10 additional hours of Level 3 training.

Areas/Topics to be Covered in Training

Topics to be covered in trainings include Level 1 required training topics plus the following:

  • Assertiveness
  • The Role of Peer Education in Higher Education
  • Public Speaking
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Professional Communication Part 2
  • Active Learning Strategies
  • Cognitive Scaffolding
  • Implicit Bias
  • Leadership Styles
  • Nonverbal Communication

Required Mentoring Experience (25 hours)

  • Level 1 & 2 Certification (50 previous hours) plus experience to total 25 accumulated hours for Level 3.

Logging Hours

The IPE will log hours for students enrolled in the Level 1 certificate program. Students that move on to Level 2 are responsible for tracking their own hours and then getting them approved by IPE.

Apply for Level 2 Certification

Apply for Level 3 Certification

Interested in Getting Certified?

Current peer mentors and tutors should contact their director to express interest in the program. Directors can email Mike Saenz to find out more information on how to enroll their students in the certificate program.

Fall 2024 Advanced Workshop Schedule

Spring 2025 Events

Level 1 Institute #1

Sunday, January 26th, 2025 – 1-3pm CST

  • Listening and Responding
  • Goal Setting and Planning

Level 1 Institute #2

Sunday, February 23rd, 2025 – 1-3pm CST

  • Time Management
  • Communication Styles