Advancing Excellence in Academic Coaching & Tutoring
The Association for the Coaching and Tutoring Profession (ACTP) advances academic coaching and tutoring by establishing professional standards that guide effective practice in higher education
These standards define the knowledge, skills, and approaches needed to support student learning, persistence, and academic success—while promoting consistency, quality, and accountability across institutions.
Professional Standards
Establishing clear frameworks that define effective coaching and tutoring practices across higher education. These standards ensure consistency, quality, and accountability in how academic coaching and tutoring are delivered, supporting student learning, persistence, and academic success.
Certification & Training
Structured programs that develop applied skills, real-world coaching experience, and professional competence. These programs are designed to prepare academic coaches and tutors through guided practice, performance-based learning, and standardized certification processes.
Evidence-Based Practice
ACTP integrates established research into training and certification to ensure coaching and tutoring practices are grounded in proven learning science. This includes key frameworks such as Self-Regulated Learning Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, Mindset Theory, and Self-Determination Theory. These models inform practical strategies that strengthen student learning behaviors and academic success.
Student Success Outcomes
Focused on improving student engagement, persistence, academic performance, and long-term achievement. ACTP’s standards and coaching approaches help students build stronger study behaviors, increase academic confidence, and develop self-regulated learning skills that support success throughout their academic journey.
Our Impact
Through these standards, ACTP strengthens both student outcomes and the professionals and programs that support them:
- A national network of trained and certified coaches, tutors, and student success professionals
- Evidence-based professional development and certification programs
- Support for academic support centers and institutional program development
- Improved student engagement, persistence, an academic success
- Greater consistency and quality across student support services
Our Standards
ACTP standards define best practices across academic coaching, tutoring, and student success in higher education. As a hub for academic support centers and program development, these standards guide how institutions build and deliver effective student support through:
Academic skill development and tutoring practices
Coaching approaches that strengthen motivation, accountability, and goal setting
Self-regulated learning strategies and growth-focused academic behaviors
Design and advancement of academic support centers and student success programs
Why This Matters
Student success depends not only on knowledge, but on how students engage, adapt, and persist.
ACTP provides the structure, training, and standards to intentionally develop these skills—positioning coaching and tutoring as essential, evidence-based components of higher education success.
From Practice to Impact
ACTP translates research into practice—equipping professionals with strategies that directly influence how students learn, persist, and succeed.
