Student Academic Support Services
Student Academic Support Services strives to foster learning by empowering PSU students to accomplish their academic and personal goals. To do this, Student Academic Support Services provides various academic support services for students: Academic Coaching, Peer Tutoring through the Learning Center, College Success courses, ROADS to Success presentations, Academic Testing Services, and Remote + Online Learning Support. All Student Academic Support Services are open to undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students.
Academic Coaching
Academic Coaching is a free, flexible coaching service that allows students to work with coaches in creating measurable plans to meet their academic goals. These goals may address school/life balance, active learning strategies and various approaches to studying course content, improving communication skills, and learning about resources on and off campus. The academic coaches also have resources to support you if are new to online learning. There are resources to help you navigate how you manage your studies while you take online courses, as well a free course designed to get you more comfortable with the learning management system that PSU utilizes. Feel free to view the coaches' bios on our website. To schedule an academic coaching appointment, visit the academic coaching page on our website, or call 503-725-4448.
The Learning Center
The Learning Center provides free peer tutoring services in math, sciences, select social sciences, and world languages. Our tutoring program aims to promote learning independence and give students the tools to take control of their learning process. The Learning Center provides on campus, online, and group tutoring. In addition, we offer embedded academic support for selected courses. All tutors are current PSU undergraduate and graduate students that have successfully taken the courses they provide help with. Check out the tutoring page for a complete list of subjects, schedules, and availability.
College Success Courses
College Success is a comprehensive (3-credit) course designed to enhance academic success by helping students identify barriers that hinder their ability to achieve their academic, personal and/or professional goals. Using guided, reflective journaling as a self-discovery tool, students explore the seven non-cognitive competencies: self-advocacy, confidence, emotional intelligence, resilience, perseverance, self-control, and growth mindset. In addition, College Success offers the opportunity to gain cognitive skills (study strategies) based on principles of learning and thinking, which students are encouraged to integrate and apply in order to become engaged, effective, and empowered learners.
Whether you are new to college, new to PSU (transfer student), or simply in need of a motivation jump start, there is much to gain from this course. Lower and upper-division options available. For more information, or to see the upcoming schedule, see the college success page.
Remote + Online Learning Support
The Learning Center is the home of Remote and Online Learning Support for all of PSU’s students. There are resources to help you navigate how you manage your studies while you take online courses, as well a free course designed to get you more comfortable with the learning management system that PSU utilizes.
Academic Testing Services
PSU Academic Testing Services (ATS), a part of Student Academic Support Services within Academic Affairs, provides accessible, equitable learning assessment and test proctoring support for PSU faculty and their students, in collaboration with partners throughout the institution. We are committed to maintaining accessibility, integrity, and professionalism throughout all aspects of the learning assessment process, prioritizing accommodated exams for students registered with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). We operate in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, along with all other pertinent state and federal regulation, guidance, and best practices
Learning Resources for Students
In addition to our services, we have a repository of many useful yet practical worksheets, website links, and other helpful tips. This information can be found on the subject resource page on our website.