How a Peer Coach Helps
The Student Success Coaching program provides a unique opportunity for students interested in gaining practical experience in a paraprofessional counseling role. Peer coaches, also known as Student Success Coaches, hold private academic coaching appointments in the Center for Student Success each week, and work with up to 10 clients on an ongoing basis during peak academic times.
During the semester, coaches will spend four hours per week (typically in two-hour blocks) meeting with students for coaching, writing detailed case notes to summarize their appointments, and discreetly managing students' case files, among other responsibilities. Additionally, coaches are required to participate in one hour of small group supervision and one hour of large group supervision each week. Supervision is led by a licensed clinical psychologist and a practicum intern from the Center for Health and Wellness Promotion. Overall, the time commitment amounts to around six hours per week.
The Fall 2025 Student Success Coach application is closed. Please look out for the Spring 2026 application in the future.
Required Courses
Prior to becoming a Student Success Coach, all coaches must have successfully completed an upper-division course, MFTS 365: "Current Approaches to Peer Assistance." Then, during their semester of service, students selected to serve as peer coaches must enroll in MFTS 366: "Applied Experience in Peer Assistance," through which they receive ongoing training and intensive supervision over the course of their experience as a coach.
For detailed descriptions of the required courses, please download the following PDF file: MFTS 365 and MFTS 366.
Student Success Coaches develop the professional skills to prepare for graduate-level supervision and experience. Many of our peer coaches go on to enroll in graduate programs across the country with focuses in areas such as clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, social work, and education.
Questions?
For questions about Student Success Coaching, please contact the Center for Student Success at css@sandiego.edu or (619) 260-5995.