If you are teaching an introductory or critical gateway course this coming fall, please consider asking an upper level student to join you as a student preceptor. This opportunity is available to full and part time faculty members, as well as staff members teaching as adjunct faculty.
A preceptor can assist with leading discussion, running writing workshops, leading a lab section, overseeing a group project, leading a class on a subject in which the preceptor displays some expertise, running an exam review session, offering the instructor feedback around creating a classroom environment supportive of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and so on. While preceptors are explicitly not involved in grading any student work, they can provide you with key insights into what is working well in your course and where students may need extra support to achieve a specific learning outcome. Most preceptors are also comfortable with various online platforms. Thus, they can provide instructors with feedback about online assignments and online activities if their students are confused about content or online learning. Their participation in your class will also help them strengthen their leadership, collaboration, and communication skills.
The Preceptor Program, along with all Tutoring Services, are overseen by the Center for Student Success (CSS). If you are interested in having a student preceptor in Spring 2025, please send the following information to Julie Spring (jspring@hartford.edu) by Tuesday, Nov. 26:
- Your name
- Course code and CRN for your targeted fall course
- Student preceptor’s name
- Student preceptor’s ID number
- Student preceptor’s email address
Once we have the required information, we will enroll your preceptor into the Preceptor Experience course (US 300) referenced below, so the student has a record of this leadership experience on their transcript. If this course exceeds their credit limit, we will waive the tuition charge. Please be sure to confirm that your course meeting time fits into your preceptor’s schedule because they must attend your course, but not register for it. Both faculty and preceptors must attend a short, mandatory planning workshop, and further training may also be required for preceptors, along with an “End of Semester Reflection” assignment.
The dates and times for the workshop (offered online via Teams) for both faculty member and preceptor are:
- Thursday, Dec. 5, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 9, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
You only need to attend one session. Please let Julie know the workshop date that both you and your preceptor will attend together.
Here is the listing and course description for US 300 for Spring 2025:
US 300 – PRECEPTOR EXPERIENCE, CRN 20158 (3 Credits)
A preceptor is a unique academic leadership position offering outstanding undergraduate students the opportunity to work with a faculty mentor in an introductory or critical gateway course. The work of preceptors varies widely depending on the nature of the course, the needs of the instructor, and the strengths of the individual preceptor, but typically includes attending all class sessions, doing the reading and other work necessary to be prepared for those sessions, meeting weekly with the faculty member to discuss the week’s activities, and completing a short reflective essay about the preceptor experience at term’s end. It might also involve leading discussion, running writing workshops, leading a lab section, overseeing a group project, leading a class on a subject in which the preceptor displays some expertise, running an exam review session, offering the instructor feedback around creating a classroom environment supportive of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and so on. Students invited to participate in this unique in-house internship opportunity are expected to attend mandatory training workshops, and log a minimum of 60 hours of work, including class and workshop attendance, preparation for class, regular meetings with the faculty sponsor, etc. P/NP.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore, Junior or Senior standing, invitation by full-time faculty member, and approval by the Executive Director of the Center for Student Success.