The Academic Success Center is located inside the Central Library. The center provides academic mentoring, tutoring and more.
College courses can be challenging, especially for those already navigating other issues accompanied by student life. UTA offers a range of resources to help students excel in their classes, from tutoring and study groups to advising.
Ashley Purgason, vice provost for the Division of Student Success, said all students are welcome to use academic resources, whether they know little to nothing about a subject or want to refine their knowledge.
The Division of Student Success’ website has details on getting help for specific courses. Academic advisers can also guide students toward helpful resources.
“It’s our job to help the students, and the only thing I want students to feel like they have to do is to ask anyone for help and let the university get them to the right place,” Purgason said.
Tutors and peer educators with the Division of Student Success are certified through accredited training. Data shows that students who use tutoring resources tend to have better grades and stay at the university longer than those who don’t, Purgason said.
“We even have data that if they’ll just come in twice, it can make an impact for their academic performance,” she said. “So students can feel confident, if they’re using these services, that it’s a worthy use of their time.”
Here are some of the key resources available to students:
Division of Student Success
Tutoring offers the traditional one-on-one aid many students are familiar with and can help them develop strong study habits. Students can fill out forms for specific request tutoring, use drop-in tutoring services on the Central Library’s second floor or through Microsoft Teams or use UTA’s eTutoring service.
Peer-Led Team Learning involves students working in groups of eight to apply or practice problem sets made by UTA faculty. This resource works well with classes with high failure rates. Professors should announce whether a class is supported by Peer-Led Team Learning within the first week of class, and students have the first two weeks of class to sign up.
Illustration by Jordan Johnson
Supplemental Instruction also targets difficult courses. It’s run by students who have already taken a course who attend lectures and design study sessions for outside of class. Professors can request the program for their classes.
First-generation students, low-income students and students with a disability can access federal TRIO Student Support Services. TRIO staff help students select courses, set academic goals and develop strategies through workshops, coaching and tutoring.
Testing services
Academic Testing and TSI Services in the Division of Student Success helps students find what tests they need to fulfill their academic requirements. Some academic departments also require testing prior to admission.
Students can register for an exam online. Walk-ins are not accepted.
Available tests:
- Advanced Standing Examination (ASE)
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- Computer Skills Placement (CSP)
- Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
- Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2)
- External proctor exams
UTA Libraries
Through the Research Mavs program, experienced students guide people through the research process and improve their academic skills. Students can schedule an appointment to be held via Microsoft Teams or in Room 308 on the third floor of the Central Library.
UTA Libraries has a diverse catalog of subject-tailored librarians who can help students find and understand information.
The Writing Center offers 30- or 60-minute tutoring sessions to critique students’ writing and ideas. Twenty-minute sessions are also available to help with grammar, punctuation and citations. The Writing Center is in Room 411 of the Central Library, and students can schedule an appointment online.
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