Faculty Resources

Learning with PLAs

Peer learning assistants (PLAs) are students who have successfully completed a course and then return to support the learning of students currently enrolled in the same course. The basic component of the UGA PLA program is an undergraduate level PLA-enhanced course in which the faculty member partners with PLAs to facilitate discussions and other active learning approaches among groups of students in that class.

The primary goals of the University of Georgia Peer Learning Assistant (UGA PLA) Program are to:

• Improve student learning and content understanding in large enrollment courses through the use of PLAs
• Build confidence, communication skills, and foundational knowledge of the subject in the students serving as PLAs
• Deepen the PLAs’ expertise through experiential learning
• Promote the expanded use of active learning approaches in undergraduate courses at UGA.

Faculty Expectations & Program Requirements

Faculty participating in the PLA Program are expected to understand and follow the program requirements outlined below. Faculty will be asked to acknowledge these expectations when submitting the PLA Faculty Application.

Role of a PLA

The purpose of PLAs is to facilitate active learning among peers. This may include facilitating interaction and discussion among students during class activities, answering student questions, listening and asking questions as students work through concepts or problems, encouraging students to reflect on their own learning, and promoting collaboration among students.

PLAs are expected to support instructors by actively participating in facilitating active learning during every class session of their assigned course.

PLA Hours and Responsibilities

PLAs are compensated at a minimum rate of $12.00 per hour for approximately 5–6 hours per week. These hours include:

• 3–4 hours per week for in-class facilitation: PLAs facilitate active learning during class sessions based on the credit hours of the assigned course. PLAs assigned to a 3-credit-hour course may facilitate active learning for up to 3 hours per week, while PLAs assigned to a 4-credit-hour course may facilitate active learning for up to 4 hours per week.
• Up to 1 hour per week for individual preparation: PLAs may use this time to prepare for class facilitation, such as reviewing course materials.
• Up to 1 hour per week for instructor planning: PLAs may meet with the course instructor to plan and prepare for upcoming class sessions and activities.

PLA Role Boundaries

PLAs are not permitted to independently conduct class meetings, study sessions, or office hours without the instructor of record present.

PLAs are not permitted to grade, evaluate, or assess student work or independently provide instruction or academic support without appropriate faculty guidance and supervision.

Faculty Support

Faculty seeking additional guidance or support on effectively utilizing PLAs in their courses may contact the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL).

How to Apply

The Spring 2027 PLA Faculty Application is now open! Applications opened on September 14, 2026, and will close on Friday, October 2, 2026. Faculty interested in having PLAs support their courses during the Spring 2027 semester can apply here.

We will begin recruiting for Fall 2027 in February during the Spring 2027 semester.

What to Expect

PLAs dedicate 5-6 hours per week to this role, although the activities inside the classroom will vary from class to class and from instructor to instructor. Each instructor will work with their PLAs to articulate precise responsibilities and expectations. Below is the breakdown of the 5-6 hours per week:

• Facilitate active learning (3-4 hours per week):
  • attend all class meetings of the PLA-enhanced class they are assisting
    • 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 
  • work in the classroom side-by-side with students (e.g., facilitate interaction and discussion between students during clicker questions and activities, answer student questions, listen and ask questions as students talk through a concept/problem etc.)
  • encourage students to reflect on their own learning
  • facilitate discussions and activities among groups of students in classroom settings that encourage active engagement
• Meet weekly with the course instructor to prepare for upcoming discussions and activities (1 hour per week)
• Prepare for material that will be covered in the PLA-enhanced class (1 hour per week)

For more information on the Peer Learning Assistants Program, email Dr. Ching-Yu Huang at [email protected].