The Certified Peer Educator (CPE) digital badge and micro-credential supports PEs by offering insight into collegiate instruction; asking PEs to go beyond active learning activities and engage in course and lesson design, prep, and execution; and helping them to actualize and refine academic-based leadership and mentorship roles with their peers.
In addition to the education the Peer Educators formally seek through UM, students who complete the CPE program might find that:
- Attaining the Certified Peer Educator digital badge and micro-credential demonstrates expertise in peer education, which might lead to roles in corporate training, human resources, and organizational development. Individuals with such certifications may experience a metaphorical leg up for work as trainers, educators, or consultants in various industries, focusing on employee development, wellness programs, and organizational change initiatives.
- Completers of the CPE program possess skills in instructional design, mentoring, communication, and leadership, making them suitable for roles in education, training, and development. They can pursue careers as teachers, instructional designers, academic advisors, or educational program coordinators.
- The skills expected from Peer Educators align with various career paths such as education, training, coaching, and leadership development. These individuals are equipped to work in educational institutions, corporate training departments, non-profit organizations, and community outreach programs.
- The competencies gained through the program (outlined in the attached syllabi) align with UM’s National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) based Career Competency Course Attributes (policy passed by UM faculty Senate on 3/7/2024), which are valued across industries. Individuals with these competencies are well-prepared for diverse career opportunities.
Requirement 1
Complete with a B+ or higher:
- COLS 295/COLS 395: You at UM Peer Educator (3-credits)
- Offered Fall semesters.
- This course provides undergraduates with a comprehensive understanding of peer education principles and equips them with the necessary skills to serve as effective peer educators in diverse educational settings. Through a combination of theoretical exploration and hands-on experiential learning, students will develop expertise in applying innovative pedagogical approaches and fostering inclusive learning communities.
Requirement 2
Complete one of the following courses with a B+ or higher:
- COLS 394: Peer Educator Training (1-credit)
- Offered Spring semesters.
- This course focuses on establishing a base understanding of the peer educator role, equipping students with the knowledge and skill sets to triage common situations, and preparing students selected as Peer Educators for the COLS 194 first-year experiences for work as instructional team members.
- COLS 498: You at UM Advanced Peer Educator Internship (1-credit)
- Offered Fall semesters.
- This internship facilitates advanced practices for Peer Educators by providing additional support and leadership opportunities to those undergraduates returning to serve as Peer Educators in the COLS 194: first-year experience for a second semester.
Requirement 3
In addition to completing 4-credits with a B+ or higher articulated above, candidates must complete:
- 30 hours embedded fieldwork in a COLS classroom as an assigned Peer Educator to be tracked by the Director of the First-Year Experience and instructional faculty
- Receive satisfactory evaluation from assigned instructional faculty at close of semester
- Receive a satisfactory evaluation from first-year students in the PEs assigned section on the COLS 194 course evaluation
- Submit a comprehensive portfolio demonstrating attainment of programmatic learning objectives