FAQs

1. What types of services does LAS provide?

LAS provides a variety of services to help students achieve their academic goals. Students may meet individually with one of our academic skills counselors to discuss their approaches to studying and to learn more effective, efficient ways to read their textbooks, take notes, prepare for exams and earn the grades that will allow them to reach their academic goals. In addition to individual work with a counselor, students may attend an academic success workshop, enroll in a credit bearing learning strategies course, or attend one of our peer-learning programs. All our services are free and confidential to University of Maryland enrolled students.

2. Who is eligible? What is the fee for non-UM students?

The Learning Assistance Service (LAS) offers free support for all currently enrolled University of Maryland undergraduate and graduate students. In addition, students may seek academic support for one semester following the time they were enrolled. An intake/initial appointment with an academic skills counselor is FREE for everyone, including non-university-related members of the community.

These clients are charged as follows:

Service	Fee
Workshop	$15.00
English as a Second Language (ESL/ESOL) Conversation Group Program	$75.00 *
General LAS Lab Use or Counselor Visits (throughout one semester)	$250.00
One session with an Academic Skills Counselor (Non-UMCP students)	$25.00

* The ESOL Conversation Program is administered for UMD community members such as UMD students, staff, and visiting scholars who have UMD ID cards. However, non-UMD community members may participate in the ESOL Conversation Program by paying $75.00 for one semester.

3. Where can I get tutoring services?

Math Tutoring is offered through the following resources:

Math Department	www.math.umd.edu/undergraduate/resources/tutoring.html
Math Success Program	hwww.resnet.umd.edu/programs/math_success/
Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education	www.omse.umd.edu/tutoring.html
Honors Program	www.universityhonors.umd.edu/Math.php

Undergraduates may find additional math learning resources, including a test bank of previous exams, on the Math Department website: www.math.umd.edu/undergraduate.

* What about tutoring in subjects other than math?

You can visit www.omse.umd.edu and www.tutoring.umd.edu for information.

For science courses, the Guided Study Session (GSS) Program may help you. GSS offers FREE, peer-led, regularly scheduled study sessions for traditionally difficult courses. Based on the Supplemental Instruction model (SI), weekly 50-minute sessions are held using a collaborative learning process. Our data suggests that the more you attend, the higher your final grade will be in the course. Our schedule changes each semester, but GSS currently supports introductory chemistry, biology and physics courses.

Go to www.counseling.umd.edu/LAS/html/gss.html#schedule for the current schedule.

For other subjects, consult the individual departments for additional tutoring resources.

* How can a math learning specialist help me?

The Math Learning Specialist is here to help students succeed in any math course at UMCP. Whether you are preparing for or are enrolled in a math course, we have strategies to help you improve your math learning and reduce your anxiety. We also provide supplementary resources for all lower level math courses. The math learning specialist can also help with the following concerns: math anxiety, math learning gaps, math learning differences, improving math grades, difficulty meeting math general education requirements, and discovery of math learning style.

* Do you provide math tutoring services?

While we do not provide typical tutoring services, we do assist students individually with their math learning needs. These services vary based on the individual and circumstance. Please contact us for more information.

4. I am a returning/transfer student. Can I see someone for the information I need?

Absolutely. You can meet with a counselor in the Learning Assistance Service. At the time of the appointment you can discuss the questions you have about attending the University of Maryland, as well as any concerns you have about making the decision. To schedule an appointment go to https://lasonline.umd.edu.

5. I would like to be a tutor or help other students with study skills. What do I need to do?

We have the following programs:

a. GSS Program

If you want to apply to be a GSS leader and help students with traditionally difficult science and math courses, please go to: www.counseling.umd.edu/LAS/html/gssleader.html for information on leader responsibilities and procedures. GSS leaders are selected based on their previous performance in the class and their ability to facilitate peer led learning groups. Applications are accepted in late April for the fall semester and in early November for the spring semester.

b. PAL Program

Learning Assistance Service (LAS) in the Counseling Center has developed a mentoring program called the PAL (Peer Assisted Learning) program designed around the concept of peers assisting their peers in reaching their short and long-term academic goals.

Any student who would like to participate in the PAL program must meet all qualifications, complete all application requirements, and enroll in either the 1 credit or the 3 credit PAL program training and certification course. As part of this training course, PAL educators receive ongoing, semester-long training; partake in professional development opportunities; and provide academic mentoring to fellow university students.

Qualifications:

• Must have a strong academic and major GPA (3.0 or above)
• Must have comopleted at least 2 academic semesters

To Apply:

• Please complete the entire application available online: www.counseling.umd.edu/LAS/html/palapp.pdf
• Completed applications may be emailed to Paula Hentz: hentz@umd.edu (please attach the completed application, transcript, and class schedule to the email) OR submitted to Learning Assistance Service Suite 2202 Shoemaker Building)
• Once accepted into the PAL program, you will then be eligible to enroll in PAL program credits

6. Are there courses to help me study and be successful at Maryland? (EDCP 108B, 108G, 108M, 108R, etc.)

LAS offers the following learning strategy courses to help you develop college level learning strategies and be successful at the University of Maryland.

EDCP 108B (1 CREDIT): This course is designed to help students understand their learning strengths and weaknesses and to apply practical and personal strategies to be a successful student.

EDCP 108G (1 credit): This course is offered for transfer students as they enter the university. It is designed to ease the transition to a new academic environment by providing resource information, peer connections and important study skills.

EDCP 108M (1 CREDIT): This course helps students diagnose their impediments to learning math and learn new strategies to be a successful math student.

EDCP 108R (1 credit): This course provides the study skills, resources information and the opportunity to meet other students who are returning to college after a break in their education.

If you don't have time for a course, check the LAS website for workshop offerings on a variety of academic success topics.

7. Can I meet with someone individually about improving my study skills and other academic concerns?

For support regarding academic success, including personal behavioral strategies/strengths and college study skills, you are encouraged to meet individually with an educational skills specialist at the Learning Assistance Service. At that appointment, you can review your past record/transcript and progress in current courses. The specialist will make helpful suggestions about future use of campus resources and other valuable actions to take to insure progress toward graduation. Areas addressed may cover time management, note taking, textbook, reading, exam skills, math learning skills, writing skills, motivation, concentration, and academic policies.