Peer Tutoring
The Beverly J. Duran Peer Tutoring Program at the ARC connects Harvard students with a network of trained peers who can support their learning.
Background photo of a peer tutor meeting with a student.
Peer Tutors can provide an extra layer of academic support for students by reviewing critical concepts and materials from class, clarifying points of confusion, and developing study strategies for upcoming exams.
The Beverly J. Duran Peer Tutoring Program at the ARC is a limited resource, and the service is a supplement to resources and support provided by courses/departments. This program is available to currently enrolled Harvard College degree candidates. Unfortunately, due to high demand, we cannot offer content tutoring for Harvard graduate students.
The Academic Resource Center will start recruiting Peer Tutors for Spring 2026 in November 2025.
Eligibility Requirements and Qualifications:
- You must be a registered, degree-seeking student in Harvard College or any of Harvard’s graduate schools (except DCE).
- Have earned an A- or better in the course(s) you want to tutor or have a faculty recommendation.*
- Have a strong interest in helping other students academically.
- Have enthusiasm for subject/courses that you’d like to share with others.
- Have sensitivity towards others’ difficulties with their coursework.
*Students who are already employed by a course are not permitted to tutor for that course. Graduate students who did not attend Harvard are typically eligible to tutor Harvard courses for which they took an equivalent undergraduate course or higher-level course.
Finding an ARC Peer Tutor
In order to receive peer tutoring from the ARC, students must be registered in the course in which they are requesting tutoring.
- Visit the ARC SCHEDULER.
- If the course you want tutoring for is listed*, select a time to book an appointment.
- If no times listed work for your schedule, please email arc_pt@fas.harvard.edu so we can assist.
*If the course you want tutoring for is not listed on the ARC Scheduler, please email the Peer Tutoring Team at arc_pt@fas.harvard.edu
Please note that not all classes are supported by the Beverly J. Duran Peer Tutoring Program at the ARC; the ARC can connect students with a peer tutor only when a qualified tutor is on our team and available.
Policies for Meeting with ARC Peer Tutors
Any student who connects with an ARC Peer Tutor is required to abide by the following policies.
Session Policies
- Students (i.e., Tutees) may sign up for two 60-minute, one-to-one sessions per course each week. A week is defined as Sunday to Saturday. Exceptions to the limit may be considered; please contact arc_pt@fas.harvard.edu for approval.
- Group tutoring does not count toward the weekly two-appointment per course weekly limit.
- Tutees are expected to come to peer tutoring sessions prepared with questions and having reviewed the material.
- Peer tutors do not have access to the answers for assignments and are not permitted to check answers or do full graded problems/assignments for tutees.
- Tutees must arrive on time for tutoring. If a tutee arrives late, peer tutors are not required to make up the missed time.
Cancellations & Missed Appointments
- Students must notify their peer tutor about a cancellation at least 24 hours prior to appointment start time.
- Students who miss three scheduled appointments (either by not showing up or by cancelling with less than 24 hours’ notice) may lose access to participating in the Beverly J. Duran Peer Tutoring program for that course for the remainder of the term.
Eligibility & Fees
- Harvard College students can receive peer tutoring services free of charge up to a maximum of 6 total hours per week.
- Harvard Extension School admitted ALB and ALM degree candidates and Pre-medical Program participants should complete an ARC referral form and send to Sue Albrigo for additional guidance.
Academic Integrity
- All peer tutors and tutees are expected to abide by the College’s policies on academic integrity as outlined in the rules on academic dishonesty in the Harvard Handbook for Students and in Harvard College’s Honor Code.
- Non-College students must also adhere to their own school’s code of conduct and policies.
- The Student Academic Integrity Fellows (SAIFs) are available as a resource for all students who have concerns about academic integrity.
Homework Policy
- Peer tutors may use homework problems as reference during tutoring sessions, but they will not assist tutees on homework directly, unless permitted by the course. Instead, peer tutors will review concepts and may work on practice problems similar to those commonly assigned as homework and on exams.
- Specific homework help should be sought out with the course/department directly, e.g., office hours, Math Question Center, Economics Question Center, Math Night, Physics Night.
- Tutees should provide similar or sample problems for the tutoring meeting which may be found in course material, or by request to the courses.
Title IX & FERPA
- All ARC Peer Tutors (when they are acting in their peer tutoring role) are considered “Responsible Employees” with regards to Title IX disclosures. If within the context of the peer tutoring relationship, a tutee discloses information about an incident of sexual or gender-based harassment, including sexual assault, ARC Peer Tutors have a responsibility to share that information with the Title IX Resource Coordinator.
- Peer tutoring is protected by FERPA.
Peer Tutoring FAQs
What courses have Peer Tutors available?
Peer tutors are typically available in select introductory STEM and problem-set courses. We encourage students to first check the ARC Scheduler to see if there are available tutors for their courses.
What if I don’t see my course listed on the ARC Scheduler?
Students may then email a request to the Peer Tutoring team at arc_pt@fas.harvard.edu. Not every request can be accommodated, as ARC makes matches only when a qualified tutor is on our team and available.
Do Peer Tutors provide writing or editing help?
No, ARC Peer Tutors do not. College students should contact the Harvard College Writing Center to schedule a conference with undergraduate tutors who provide writing support. Graduate students should contact the Fellowships and Writing Center for writing support.
How much does Peer Tutoring cost?
Peer Tutoring is free for Harvard College Students. Unfortunately, due to high demand, we cannot offer content tutoring for Harvard graduate students. Students in the Harvard Extension School should contact Sue Albrigo for additional guidance.
Is there a limit on tutoring sessions?
Harvard College students can book up to two hours of Peer Tutoring per week per course, up to a maximum of 6 hours per week.
Who are ARC Peer Tutors?
ARC Peer Tutors are Harvard students who have excelled in the courses they tutor and are interested in supporting their peers as they learn the concepts.
How should I prepare for a Peer Tutoring Session?
Prior to a peer tutoring session, students should review content and bring questions regarding the course material. Bring any and all materials that may be helpful to the tutor in helping the student review what was presented during class.
Where does Peer Tutoring take place?
Peer tutors can meet with students virtually via Zoom or in person at a mutually accessible location on campus such as a library, study room, or dining hall. Peer Tutoring in private residence rooms is prohibited.
What should I expect in a Peer Tutoring session?
Students should expect to discuss course topics and mains ideas, methodologies, problem solving steps and mechanisms. The peer tutor will help guide the tutee through the material and promote independent learning strategies through active tutoring.
What should I NOT expect in a Peer Tutoring session?
Peer tutors will NOT: completely do graded problems/assignments, write on the student’s papers or type on their computers, have the answers for homework, tell a student what grade they will receive, or provide material from previous semesters.