Frequently Asked Questions

 

GENERAL QUESTIONS

  • What is Students Teaching Students?

    Students Teaching Students (STS) is an official Registered Student Organization at Penn State that equips and enables undergraduate students to teach an official course under the supervision of a faculty member. Students across all colleges and disciplines are eligible to apply, but all student instructors must exhibit particular knowledge and experience in a particular area.

  • What is the purpose of Students Teaching Students?

    STS exists to help provide students a unique, innovative, and memorable supplement to their current courses. The role of student-led courses is to fill gaps in the existing curriculum. Through smaller class sizes, passionate student instructors have the unique ability to explore niche topics less suitable for larger classes that are limited by broader academic scopes. Successful STS courses challenge students to explore deeper, think critically, collaborate with peers, and have fun in the process.

  • What are some examples of some student-led STS courses?

    Our courses are as diverse as the students who teach them, and they can accomplish a variety of different purposes while filling gaps in the curriculum.

    In Spring 2020, one STS pilot course was “Criticism and Kanye,” a literary, cultural, and philosophical analysis of hip-hop using Kanye West as a case study. Another pilot course, “Digital Product Design,” was an exploration of how digital products become reality, led by co-instructors with extensive industry experience as designers and developers.

  • How does STS ensure student instructors are prepared to teach and that their courses meet Penn State’s standards?

    All STS courses are subject to the same standards as other Penn State courses and must be approved through official department processes.

    Every student instructor has a faculty champion who is officially responsible for overseeing the course. In addition, student instructors undergo an extensive Instructor Development Program through the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence.

    Students interested in instructing a course start by drafting a rough syllabus and planning their topic course using STS resources. Next, students work with a faculty advisor in their proposed course’s department to refine the syllabus, design a week-by-week plan, and enter the course approval process. If the course is approved, student instructors will receive extensive instructional training from the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence covering course design, facilitation and management, assessment, pedagogy, and FERPA compliance. Faculty advisors and the STS team provide ongoing support and resources throughout the duration of the course. Assessments of instructor and course quality are completed during and upon completion of the STS course, providing valuable and actionable feedback.

    Our rigorous approval, design, and assessment processes exist to ensure that quality standards for Penn State courses are not just met, but exceeded.

  • How are STS courses different than normal courses?

    While Penn State offers many valuable courses, STS courses provide a unique advantage in their peer-focused course design, increased engagement, small class size, and additional support through co-instructors. In-class peer-based instruction has proven successful at dozens of other universities and in diverse learning contexts and domains.

  • Do student-led course programs exist at other universities?

    Yes, and they’ve been incredibly successful. Since 1965, student-led course programs have been established across higher education at institutions like University of Maryland, UC Berkeley, Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University, UCLA, Swarthmore College, Rice University, and more.

    At peer institutions like the University of Maryland, student-led course programs have been implemented in recent years. However, UC Berkeley’s DeCal Program has been in existence for over 50 years, since cultivating a collaborative academic culture and a deeply engaged university community. Berkeley’s program serves as a prime case study for the long-term success of student-led courses.

  • Are student instructors compensated?

    Serving as a student instructor is one of the most rewarding educational experiences available to students at Penn State. As such, the position of student instructor is a volunteer position. While STS is exploring options to help student instructors earn credit for their hard work, we look for students with a genuine passion to learn, teach, and explore with other students.

FOR STUDENTS

  • How can I become a student instructor?

    Students Teaching Students encourages all Penn State students interested in the program to consider applying. While all students are eligible to apply, we look for passionate, hard-working, and dedicated students who have particular knowledge/experience in a particular area. The application process follows the following steps:

    • Apply with a Syllabus Proposal: Start by visiting our Apply page and submitting an application

    • Find a Faculty Champion: While you search for a faculty champion in the department you want your course to be offered in, we’ll reach back out to schedule an interview

    • Review and Iterate: You’ll iterate your course syllabus until your faculty adviser is satisfied

    • Department Approval: We’ll work with your faculty advisor to submit your course to your department head for official approval and listing on Lionpath

    • Training and Support: Instructor training and additional support will be provided for all student instructors whose courses have been approved

  • Why should I take an STS course?

    While we understand that many students already have busy schedules and demanding extracurricular involvements, we highly recommend taking an STS course at some point before you graduate from Penn State. With an opportunity to learn about unique and fun topics, taking an STS course is more than just gaining additional credits—it’s gaining an invaluable and memorable experience. Check out our current courses here.

  • How can I enroll in an STS course?

    Different courses require different methods of enrollment. For more information on how to enroll, view our available courses here.

  • What do STS courses count for?

    Generally, STS courses are electives. They don’t fulfill any gen ed requirements, but your college may choose to accept them under other requirements. We recommend contacting your academic adviser for more information.

  • Is STS available at Penn State’s Commonwealth campuses?

    Currently, STS courses are only being piloted at the University Park campus, but we’d like to expand the program to campuses across Pennsylvania in coming years.

    If you’re a faculty or student at a Commonwealth campus interested in the program, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us here.

FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

  • How does an STS course get submitted for approval?

    Course submission policies vary greatly between colleges and departments. Our team works alongside faculty advisors to help submit any proposed courses to their department head. Due to the nature of STS courses, we recommend proposing them as a special topics course. If that option isn’t available, we recommend submitting the course for approval as an independent study, and we can submit a list of students for you to add on Lionpath as they sign up on our site.

 

Have a question that wasn’t answered? Feel free to contact us here.