Peer Education is proud to employ over 230 undergraduate Peer Learning Assistants (PLAs).
PLAs are selected through a competitive application process. Selection is based on availability, faculty reference, and interviews.
Pay
PLAs receive $12/hour, course credit for the UNIV 1204 pedagogy course, CRLA accreditation and experiential learning credit (depending on school/college).
Weekly Commitment
5-6 hours per week. 3-4 hours of class facilitation in assigned course, 1 hour of preparing individually, and 1 hour of weekly planning with the course instructor.
- 3 credit hour classes can have up to 3 hours of in-class facilitation.
- 4 credit hour classes can have up to 4 hours of in-class facilitation.
PLA Responsibilities
- Attend class sessions regularly and support active learning activities as directed by the course instructor.
- Facilitate collaborative learning by helping students engage with course content, practice problem-solving skills, and participate in classroom discussions and activities.
- Assist students in developing effective learning strategies, study habits, and critical thinking skills related to course content.
- Foster an inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environment that encourages student participation and success.
- Serve as a peer role model by demonstrating professionalism, preparedness, and a commitment to learning.
- Participate in weekly planning meetings with the course instructor to prepare for upcoming class sessions and learning activities.
- Recognize when a student’s needs extend beyond the scope of the PLA role and make appropriate referrals to campus resources.
- Participate in initial and ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
- Work collaboratively with Office of Active Learning staff, course instructors, and fellow Peer Learning Assistants to support student success.
Job Requirements:
- Enroll in and complete UNIV 1204 (a one-hour institutional credit course) within your first semester of being a PLA (unless you have already completed UNIV 1204).
- By taking this training course, you will receive Peer Learning Assistant certification through the College Reading and Learning Association.
- Students cannot register for the course prior to being hired as a PLA.
- Work anywhere from 5 to 6 hours/week.
- Attend all assigned class sessions for the course you support throughout the semester.
- Participate in weekly planning meetings with the instructor of your assigned course.
- Dedicate approximately one hour per week to individual preparation, including reviewing course materials, planning activities, and preparing to support student learning.
- Maintain consistent engagement and communication with your instructor and Office of Active Learning staff throughout employment.
- Complete required trainings, including beginning-of-semester training and ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Maintain eligibility requirements established by the Office of Active Learning throughout employment.
To qualify for a PLA position, you must:
- Demonstrate academic excellence.
- Have completed at least one semester of classes at UGA.
- Demonstrate strong content knowledge in the course or subject area for which you are applying.
- Possess strong interpersonal communication, active listening, and active learning facilitation skills.
- Demonstrate the ability to explain concepts clearly, patiently, and effectively to students with varying learning needs.
- Be able to commit to and attend all class sessions associated with the course for which you are applying.
- Be able to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and appropriate boundaries when working with students.
Apply to become a PLA
If you are interested in becoming a PLA for the upcoming semester, you must apply a semester in advance. For example, we hire Fall PLAs at the end of the Spring semester.
OSSA PLA Application
The OSSA Peer Learning Assistant application for Fall 2026 is now closed. The Spring 2027 Peer Learning Assistant application will open in October.
Unit PLA Applications
Unit PLA applications are managed directly by their respective departments. Because of this, application openings, deadlines, and hiring timelines may differ from the OSSA PLA application timeline. For the most up-to-date information, please reach out to the department directly. When available, open Unit PLA applications will be listed below. Please apply using the links below:
OSSA Lead Peer Learning Assistants
The Peer Learning Assistant (PLA) program also offers a leadership opportunity for returning PLAs through the Lead Peer Learning Assistant role. Lead PLAs continue to serve in the classroom while also mentoring other PLAs, assisting with training and interviews, and promoting Peer Education services across campus.
To be eligible, students must have served as a PLA for at least one semester and demonstrate strong leadership and communication skills. Lead PLAs typically commit an additional 1–2 hours per week to support their mentoring and outreach efforts.
If you have any questions or concerns that need to be reported regarding the PLA Program, please email [email protected]. We welcome feedback and want to ensure your experience aligns with our mission and policies.
