The ACTP offers different certification pathways for tutors and coaches to assist in professional development, skill enhancement and to spur innovation in our members.
Tutor and Tutor Trainer certifications provide guidelines with which to explore the philosophy and application of tutoring. The ACTP certification demonstrates that individuals have engaged in developing skills and strategies aligned with best practices. Practical tutoring and training skills, a professional practice, and knowledge of underlying theory all support facilitation of learning for students and tutors.
Academic Coach and Peering Coaching Program Certifications provide individuals and institutions with topics and guidelines to form the foundational knowledge needed to be successful in the field. Training topics for all certifications are centered around the five core competencies of coaching: Fundementals, Screening and Orientation, Approaches for Individuals, Assessments, and Ethical and Professional practices.
Tutor certification requirements include tutor experience, training and recommendations. Tutor training topics are aligned with best practices, and include not only a focus on practical skills, but professional practice and underlying theory, which provide a basis for ongoing independent development and learning.
Level I – Apprentice Tutor requirements provide opportunities to develop an understanding of foundational principles, theories and ethics for a collaborative tutor practice, and core skills to facilitate a successful tutorial.
Level II – Advanced Tutor requirements provide opportunities for more in-depth exploration of theories and principles that can inform strategies and approaches to meet the specific needs of the tutee and promote independent learning.
Level – III Master Tutor requirements provide opportunities for advanced understanding, and ability to apply theories, skills and knowledge in a specialized area.
Apprentice | Advanced | Master | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hours of Training | 10 | 20 | 30 | ||
Hours of Experience | 25 | 50 | 75 | ||
Recommendations | 1 | 2 | |||
ACTP Membership | Required | ||||
Certification Period | 3 Years | ||||
Application Fee | $20 | $30 | $40 |
From our membership page or when you purchase your certification application. If you are already a member, login or reset your password here. (coming soon)
Certification Information & Worksheet (coming soon)
Justification of training and experience as well as any references required. Please contact the Certification Chair with questions about requirements or documentation.
Select the appropriate certification level, fill out the required information, and upload supporting documentation.
Your application will be reviewed by ACTP Certification Committee members. You may be contacted to clarify information on your application or documentation. In some cases, you may be asked to provide additional documentation. The review process typically takes 3-5 weeks.
Once the review process is complete, you will receive an email communication of the committee’s decision. If approved, the email will include a digital certificate that you can print.
*indicates a required topic
Tutoring and the Tutor Role*
ACTP Tutor Ethics and*
Philosophy
Responsibilities & Documentation
Responding to Difficult Students
Metacognition*
Learning Preferences
Critical Thinking
Goal Setting & Planning*
Beginning & Ending a Tutorial*
Communicating & Active Listening*
Engaging the Learner & Checking for Understanding *
Providing Feedback*
Modeling
Resources & Referrals
Assertiveness
Conflict Management
Cultural Awareness & Social Justice
Self-Regulation
Student Motivation & Efficacy
Diversity & Learning
Facilitating Groups
Using Technology Aids and Resources
Subject Specific Tutoring
Scaffolding Learning
Tutoring for Test Taking Strategies
Promoting Information Literacy
Mentoring & Supervision
The Role of Tutors in Communities
Learning & Student Development
English Language Learners
Learning Differences & Disabilities
Tutoring Special Populations
Creating a Learning Plan
Tutoring for Time Management
Conducting an Online Tutorial
Continuing Education Units (CEU)
Examples of CEUs include conference workshops acquired at the ACTP annual conference, CRLA, NCLCA, NADE or other applicable conferences including state and local events. CEUs may include training or sessions attended at the home institution but must be approved by the ACTP certification committee. Please provide documentation of session attendance with certificates or copies of agendas or conference programs.
Each application will be reviewed by 3 ACTP certified Master Tutor Trainers and/or the ACTP tutor certification coordinator.
The certification for all levels is valid for a 3-year period. During this time, individual may submit higher level certifications which will restart the 3-year timeline.
The certification process requires logging into our member area. If you need help retrieving your log in credentials, please go here.
Bulk certifications may be purchased by institutions by contacting the tutor certification chair.
Purchase memberships, pay certification fees, and fill out a single supervisor recommendation form.
With EACH of your tutors, review the certification worksheet (coming soon) and provide the tutor with supporting documentation or access to supporting documentation for training and tutoring hours.
You will be provided registration codes for each of your tutors along with instructions for beginning the submission process. Ask each of your tutors to submit their own individual application with the supporting documentation form through our certification portal (coming soon)
If you have questions about the certification process or need clarification, please contact us.
Alternatively, if you plan on attending our Annual ACTP Conference, there are a couple of opportunities to learn more about and assist you in the certification process. A session to learn more about requirements and documentation is always scheduled during the conference. In addition, there will be additional opportunities to consult one-on-one with a certification committee member.
Click the button below to begin the application process today!
Tutor Trainer certification requirements include tutoring and training experiences, professional development, and recommendations (recommendation letters are not required for recertification within a year of prior certification end date). Tutor Trainer professional development topics are aligned with best practices and include not only a focus on practical skills, but professional practice and underlying theory, which provides a basis for ongoing independent development and learning.
Level I – Associate Tutor Trainer requirements provide opportunities to learn skills and knowledge that allow for the facilitation of engaging, effective training, and to effectively coordinate tutors and tutoring programs.
Level II – Master Tutor Trainer requirements provide opportunities to delve deeper, apply theory and pedagogy, develop and facilitate engaging, effective training and training programs.
Associate | Master | |
---|---|---|
Hours of TrainingConducted | 100 | 200 |
Hours of Tutoring Experience | 25 | 50 |
Approved CEU's | 5 | 8 |
Recommendations | 2 | |
ACTP Membership | Required | |
Certification Fee | $75 | $150 |
From our membership page or when you purchase your certification application. If you are already a member, login or reset your password here. (coming soon)
Certification Information & Worksheet (coming soon)
Justification of training and experience as well as any references required. Please contact the Certification Chair with questions about requirements or documentation.
Select the appropriate certification level, fill out the required information, and upload supporting documentation.
Your application will be reviewed by ACTP Certification Committee members. You may be contacted to clarify information on your application or documentation. In some cases, you may be asked to provide additional documentation. The review process typically takes 3-5 weeks.
Once the review process is complete, you will receive an email communication of the committee’s decision. If approved, the email will include a digital certificate that you can print.
Coordinating & Supervising Tutors
Conflict Management
Operations & Documentation
The Learning Cycle
Experiential Learning
Assessment & Evaluation
Creating Training for ACTP Training Topics
Training Facilitation Skills
Online Synchronous Tutoring Best Practices
The Role of Learning Centers in Higher Education
Research & Program Evaluation
Case Studies
Simulations & Role Play
Games
Collaborative Learning
Using Technology
Writing for Reflection
Problem-Based Learning
Needs Assessment
Adult Learning Theory
Backwards Design
Universal Design
Assessment & Evaluation
Continuing Education Units (CEU)
Examples of CEUs include conference workshops acquired at the ACTP annual conference, CRLA, NCLCA, NADE or other applicable conferences including state and local events. CEUs may include training or sessions attended at the home institution but must be approved by the ACTP certification committee. Please provide documentation of session attendance with certificates or copies of agendas or conference programs.
Each application will be reviewed by 3 ACTP certified Master Tutor Trainers and/or the ACTP tutor certification coordinator.
The certification for all levels is valid for a 3-year period. During this time, individual may submit higher level certifications which will restart the 3-year timeline.
The certification process requires logging into our member area. If you need help retrieving your log in credentials, please go here.
If you have questions about the certification process or need clarification, please contact us.
Alternatively, if you plan on attending our Annual ACTP Conference, there are a couple of opportunities to learn more about and assist you in the certification process. A session to learn more about requirements and documentation is always scheduled during the conference. In addition, there will be additional opportunities to consult one-on-one with a certification committee member.
Click the button below to begin the application process today!
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ACTP certifies both peer coach training programs as well as professional coaches who wish to expand expertise in academic coaching. The certification exemplifies a higher standard among academic peer coach training programs as well as a professional coaches in higher education. Certificate completion indicates an academic coach / peer coach training program has met a level of expertise otherwise not noted.
The ACTP certification demonstrates to students, staff, faculty, parents and university officials the program/coach has:
Assistant | Master | |
---|---|---|
Hours of Experience | 25 | 100 |
Approved Training or CEUs | 16 | 30 |
Letters of Recommendation | 1 | 1 |
Minimum Degree Level | Bachelor’s | Master’s or Higher |
Certification Period | 3 Years | 3 Years |
Recertification Requirements | 20 Additional CEUs | 20 Additional CEUs |
Certification Fee | $150 | $250 |
From our membership page or when you purchase your certification application. If you are already a member, login or reset your password here. (coming soon)
Certification Information & Worksheet (coming soon)
Justification of training and experience as well as any references required. Please contact the Certification Chair with questions about requirements or documentation.
Select the appropriate certification level, fill out the required information, and upload supporting documentation.
Your application will be reviewed by ACTP Certification Committee members. You may be contacted to clarify information on your application or documentation. In some cases, you may be asked to provide additional documentation. The review process typically takes 3-5 weeks.
Once the review process is complete, you will receive an email communication of the committee’s decision. If approved, the email will include a digital certificate that you can print.
The ACTP’s Core Competencies were developed to support greater understanding about the skills and approaches used to support academic coaching and current best practices.
These competencies and the ACTP’s definition of coaching were used as the foundation for the development of the competency grid. The ACTP defines coaching as a working alliance with students in a manner that supports their academic and life success. The Competencies are grouped into five clusters and are weighted based on the percent of hours a certified coach requires.
What is a Coach?
Differences Between Coaching, Counseling, Tutoring, and Mentoring
Theoretical Foundations of Coaching:
Positive Psychology
Appreciative Inquiry
Solutions-Focused Coaching
Cognitive Behaviorism
Transitions – Schlossberg’s Transition Theory
Chickering and the 7 Vectors
Safe Environment
Stratagies in working with diverse populations
Cultural Competencies
Establishing trust and rapport
Beginning and ending a session
Appreciative Inquiry
Communication Skills; Active listening, paraphrasing and powerful questions
Motivational Interviewing
Using the Coaching agreement and establishing a coaching alliance
Agenda, goal setting and prioritization
GROW Model
Review Progress and student accountability
MBTI
Learning Styles
GRIT
Locus of Control
Motivation
Self-Efficacy
Self-Esteem
Strong Interest Inventory
Confidentiality
Code of Ethics
Documentation
Tracking
Professional development and coaches self-assessment
Student assessment of the coach
Outcomes
Continuing Education Units (CEU)
Examples of CEUs include conference workshops acquired at the ACTP annual conference, CRLA, NCLCA, NADE or other applicable conferences including state and local events. CEUs may include training or sessions attended at the home institution but must be approved by the ACTP certification committee. Please provide documentation of session attendance with certificates or copies of agendas or conference programs.
Each application will be reviewed by 3 ACTP Certified Master Coaches and/or the ACTP Coach Certification Chair.
The certification for all levels is valid for a 3-year period. During this time, individual may submit higher level certifications which will restart the 3-year timeline.
The certification process requires logging into our member area. If you need help retrieving your log in credentials, please go here. (coming soon)
Bulk certifications may be be purchased by institutions by contacting the tutor certification chair.
Benefits for coaching programs that wish to certify multiple coaches simultaneously:
Purchase memberships, pay certification fees, and fill out a single supervisor recommendation form.
With EACH of your coaches, review the certification worksheet (coming soon) and provide the coach with supporting documentation or access to supporting documentation for training and coaching hours.
You will be provided registration codes for each of your tutors along with instructions for beginning the submission process. Ask each of your coaches to submit their own individual application with the supporting documentation form through our application portal (coming soon)
If you have questions about the certification process or need clarification, please contact us.
Alternatively, if you plan on attending our Annual ACTP Conference (hyperlink to ACTP conference page), there are a couple of opportunities to learn more about and assist you in the certification process. A session to learn more about requirements and documentation is always scheduled during the conference. In addition, there will be additional opportunities to consult one-on-one with a certification committee member.
Click the button below to begin the application process today!
Our new Peer Academic Coach Program certification is still under development. We will update this page with new information as it is available.
What is a Coach?
Differences Between Coaching, Counseling, Tutoring, and Mentoring
Theoretical Foundations of Coaching:
Positive Psychology
Appreciative Inquiry
Solutions-Focused Coaching
Cognitive Behaviorism
Transitions – Schlossberg’s Transition Theory
Chickering and the 7 Vectors
Safe Environment
Stratagies in working with diverse populations
Cultural Competencies
Establishing trust and rapport
Beginning and ending a session
Appreciative Inquiry
Communication Skills; Active listening, paraphrasing and powerful questions
Motivational Interviewing
Using the Coaching agreement and establishing a coaching alliance
Agenda, goal setting and prioritization
GROW Model
Review Progress and student accountability
MBTI
Learning Styles
GRIT
Locus of Control
Motivation
Self-Efficacy
Self-Esteem
Strong Interest Inventory
Confidentiality
Code of Ethics
Documentation
Tracking
Professional development and coaches self-assessment
Student assessment of the coach
Outcomes