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CRLA or Custom Training

HR Training Presentation
Request CRLA or Custom Training

The Academic Resource Center offers training programs to meet the needs of programs across the ODU campus. We offer a variety of services:

CRLA Training

CRLA Tutor and Peer-educator training: CRLA (College Reading and Learning Association) is a group of student-oriented professionals active in the fields of reading, learning assistance, developmental education, tutoring, and mentoring at the college/adult level.

Benefits to program tutors:

  • Teaches the skills and knowledge commensurate with best practices for academic support programs and services.
  • Increases confidence in the content area, public speaking, academic organization, and job performance.
  • Creates a pathway to documenting experience and growth over time.
  • Encourages tutors to view themselves as para-professionals in their work.
  • Improves training and evaluation focus.
  • Strengthens tutors' resume in the form of internationally recognized certificate.
  • Creates a culture of learning for tutors.
  • May improve wages (if wages are tied to completing certification).

Custom Training

Customized tutor and peer-educator training: Peer educator training could be academic coaching, mentoring, or other positions were a peer is assisting in student growth and development.

CRLA Tutor Training

CRLA offers certification in tutor training (International Tutor Training Program Certification or ITTPC) based on research and set guidelines. CRLA offers three different levels.

Level 1 (Regular)

Level 1 certification is for programs that are training their tutors in the basics of being a tutor.

  • The tutor must earn a minimum of 25 hours of experience tutoring directly.
  • For programs who run a "open-lab style" tutoring programs where multiple tutors cycle around a room, tutors in these settings must accrue 50 hours of tutoring
  • 10 hours of training required
  • 6 out of 10 hours must be conducted by a Tutor-Trainer (facilitator)
  • 4 out of 10 hours can be self-paced/non-facilitator led
  • At least 8 CRLA recommened topics will be covered (may be more to meet the time requirement)

Sample of Topics

  1. Definition of tutoring and tutor responsibilities
  2. Basic tutoring guidelines (do's and don'ts)
  3. Setting goals and/or planning
  4. Communication skills
  5. Active listening and paraphrasing
  6. Referral skills
  7. Study skills
  8. Tutoring Ethics

Level 2 (Advanced)

Level 2 is contingent on the program maintaining Level 1 training certification.

  • The tutor must earn a minimum of 25 hours of experience tutoring directly.
  • For programs who run a "open-lab style" tutoring programs where multiple tutors cycle around a room, tutors in these settings must accrue 50 hours of tutoring
  • 10 Hours of training required
  • 4 out of 10 hours must be conducted by a Tutor-Trainer (facilitator)
  • 6 out of 10 hours can be self-paced/non-facilitator led
  • At least 5 CRLA recommened topics will be covered (may be more to meet the time requirement)

Sample of Topics

  1. Review of Level 1 (required)
  2. Using Probing Questions
  3. Identifying and Using Resources
  4. Cultural Awareness
  5. Assessing and Changing study Behaviors

Level 3 (Master)

Level 3 is contingent on the program maintaining Level 1 and Level 2 training certifications.

  • The tutor must earn a minimum of 25 hours of experience tutoring directly.
  • For programs who run a "open-lab style" tutoring programs where multiple tutors cycle around a room, tutors in these settings must accrue 50 hours of tutoring
  • 10 Hours of training required
  • 2 out of 10 hours must be conducted by a Tutor-Trainer (facilitator)
  • 8 out of 10 hours can be self-paced/non-facilitator led
  • At least 5 CRLA recommened topics will be covered (may be more to meet the time requirement)

Sample of Topics

  1. Review of Level 1 and Level 2 topics (Required)
  2. Self-regulated learning, brain learning, and/or memory
  3. How to tutor/deal with target populations
  4. The role of learning centers in higher education
  5. Structuring the learning experience
  6. Training and supervising other tutors (supervisory skills)
  7. Group management skills (group interaction and group dynamics

For more information about CRLA certfication, please visit the CRLA webpage

CRLA Peer Educator Training

CRLA offers certification in peer educator training (IPTPC: International Peer Educator Training Program Certification). CRLA defines a peer educator as a student who has similar to a mentor. There are three levels of certification.

Level 1 (Regular)

Level 1 certification is for programs that are training their peer educators in the basics of being a peer educator.

Training Requirements

  • Option One: Level 1 tutor certification and 5 hours of peer educator training (Only available to programs currently CRLA tutor certified)
  • Option Two: 15 hours of Peer Educator training
    • 12 hours required with facilitator-led training
    • 3 hours self-paced training

Experience Requirements

  • Option One: 25 hours of tutoring experience and 25 hours of peer educating exprience
  • Option Two: 50 hours of peer educating experience

Sample Topics

  1. Level 1 Tutor Certification (if using option 1 training requirements)
  2. The Role of the Peer Educator
  3. Peer Educator Do's and Don'ts
  4. Professional Ethics for Peer Educators
  5. Establishing Rapport & Motivating Peer Educators
  6. Questioning and Listening Skills
  7. Preparing to Study: Organization, Class Analysis, and Time Management
  8. Campus & Community Resources & Referrals
  9. Elective topics to meet the required training hours (see level 3 peer educator certification)

Level 2 (Advanced)

Level 2 certification is for programs are seeking advanced training for their peer educators. Peer educator must have completed level 1 training.

Training Requirements

  • Level 1 Certification plus 10 additional hours of training to total 25 hours
    • 3 hours of self-paced instruction

Experience Requirements

  • Option 1: 25 hours of peer educator experience
    • 50 hours at level 1 + 25 at level 2 for 75 total hours

Sample Topics

  1. Level 1 topics required
  2. Conflict Resolution
  3. Mentoring Boundaries
  4. Ways of Mentoring
  5. Cultural Awareness
  6. Academic Majors and Advising
  7. Elective topics to meet the required training hours (see level 3 peer educator certification)

Level 3 (Master)

Level 3 certification is for programs are seeking master-level training for their peer educators. Peer educator must have completed level 1 and 2 training.

Training Requirements

  • Level 2 Certification plus 10 additional hours of training to total 35 hours
    • 3 hours of self-paced instruction

Experience Requirements

  • 25 hours of peer educator experience
    • 75 hours at level 1 and 2 + 25 at level 3 for 100 accumulated total hours

Sample Topics

  1. Conferencing Skills
  2. Constructive Criticism
  3. Gender Issue Awareness
  4. Leadership Styles
  5. Electives to complete required training hours (see level 3 peer educator certification)

For more inforamtion on Peer educator training such as hiring and evaluation critieria, please visit CRLA Peer Educator webpage

Customized Tutor and Peer Educator Training

Does your department or organization have academic coaches, tutors, mentors, or other peer educators? If you would like to have tutors or peer educators trained but are unable to meet to meet CRLA certification requirements, the Academic Resource Center offers customized training sessions. At the ARC, we design mentor and tutor training tailored to department and organization's particular needs. Training programs can range from a couple of hours to a full day to multiple days. You can work one-on-one with the Assistant Director of Academic Resources to design a training based on the topics or length of time best suited to meet your tutors/peer educators and your program's needs.

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