Academic Services

Gleeson Library

The University’s Library is constantly increasing its collection and services to meet the needs of the students, faculty, administrators, and staff of the University. 

Study in a quiet place; find a citation; print your paper before class:

Complete Library Hours

All students are encouraged to become familiar with what the library provides as soon as possible. Tours of Gleeson Library/Geschke Center are given at the beginning of the semester, and on the first Monday of each month. These tours introduce students to the building and many of the services. Students meet in front of the Circulation Desk at the entrance of the Library. 

The Library’s website is excellently organized to provide information and access to its collection, facilities, and services. Students may visit https://www.usfca.edu/library/ in order to browse and find information on:

  • The Ignacio Online Library Catalog and research databases; 
  • Interlibrary loans and Link+;
  • E-book collections; “ebrary” and Gale Virtual Reference Library; 
  • “Ask A Librarian” for expert assistance; 
  • Borrowing and renewing; 
  • Study areas, computer labs, photocopying; 

…and much more! 

Students must possess a valid USF ID to access the library building, check out books and obtain other library services. 


To contact the library, students may call: (415) 422-2660 or visit: http://www.usfca.edu/library/ask/

The Learning Center

The University of San Francisco offers academic assistance to all students through the Learning Center, Writing Center, and Speaking Center (LWSC). Services are free and include subject-specific tutoring, writing assistance, and communication-related support. The Learning Center also provides opportunities for academic skill development, through 1:1 coaching, group workshops, and online resources. The LWSC is located on the Lower Level of Gleeson Library on the Hilltop Campus.

Learning Center Core Functions

Appointments for all Learning Center, Writing Center, and Speaking Center programs and services are available through a centralized online appointment system. Click here for more information. SOE students can contact the LWSC at 415-422-6713 or LWSC@usfca.edu.

School of Education Writing Hub

The SOE has created a Writing Hub to support students writing their dissertations, theses, field projects and course papers.  The Writing Hub includes:

  • Writing Support Program: Open to all School of Education Graduate Students who would like 1:1 coaching on their writing.  You can sign up using this google form for a writing coach with the School of Education Writing Hub.
  • Writing Retreats: All students are invited to write in community at in-person writing retreats held during the spring and fall semesters. 
  • BIWOC Writing Circles: Open to all BIWOC in the School of Education on Sundays for weekly meetings to develop your public scholarship projects in community.  Contact Leah Sicat (lksicat@dons.usfca.edu) for more information.
  • BIWOC Writing Workshops: Open to all BIWOC in the School of Education to workshop pieces in progress on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00pm.  Contact Leah Sicat (lksicat@dons.usfca.edu) for more information.

Student Disability Services

Student Disability Services (SDS) promotes a fully integrated University experience for students with disabilities by ensuring that students have equal access to all areas of university life and receive appropriate educational support and services to foster their academic and personal success.

The office of Student Disability Services (SDS) is located in the lower level of the Gleeson Library, Room 20. To make use of services, a student must disclose disability status to SDS.  Students may visit the SDS website for specific information, guidelines, the handbook, frequently asked questions, contact information, and more: http://www.usfca.edu/sds/

Main phone: (415) 422-2613; E-mail: sds@usfca.edu The office is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Once registered with SDS, SOE students can set up a phone appointment or a Zoom meeting with their specialist by calling the main phone number.

Lynda.com

Lynda.com is our online video tutorial platform, which is free to all students, faculty and staff. You can watch thousands of high-quality video courses on the latest software tools and skills. Learn Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and more. To access Lynda, use your USF login credentials at www.lynda.com