Each year the Psychology Department recruits graduate students, titled Graduate Teaching Associates (GTAs) to teach certain courses. Current department graduate students will receive an email via the graduate student listserv during the week after Spring Break informing them of the specific classes to which they can apply to teach during the upcoming academic year.
AY 2021-2022 Application Timeline
|
Week after Spring Break 2021 |
Current graduate students notified of teaching opportunities and application process via email |
|---|---|
| Friday, 5/7/21 | Applications due |
| Friday, 6/18/21 | GTAs informed of hiring decisions and course assignments |
| Wednesday, 7/28/21 | Mandatory TA Orientation (time and place will communicated to those hired) |
| Monday, 8/23/21 | First day of Fall classes |
FAQs
1. Who is eligible to work as a GTA?
To be eligible to work as a GTA, you need to enroll in at least one course during the semester you are teaching.
As a GTA, you may register for PSYC 6893: Externship in Applied Psychology if units are needed. However, if you have completed all required coursework for your degree, except for your thesis (PSYC 6974 or CD 6974), graduate project (CD 6964), or comprehensive examination (PSYC 6980 or CD 6980), you may enroll in PSYC 6990: Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing through the College of Extended and Global Education and pay a reduced fee (approximately $320 per semester), to maintain your eligibility for employment as a Teaching Associate.
2. How do I apply?
Generally, you are asked to submit a CV, a Statement of Teaching Experience and Interests, a copy of your current transcript (unofficial), and complete an online application form. Details about the application process and these materials will be provided each year in the email sent to current graduate students.
3. Do I need to complete the application again if I am currently a GTA?
Yes. The online application form you will be asked to indicate if you are a current GTA, but you will be expected to submit the documents and the application form each year.
4. Can I be considered for teaching more than one course?
Yes. In the online application you may indicate all courses that you feel qualified to teach. In your Statement of Teaching Experience and Interests you should address your qualifications for teaching each course for which you would like to be considered.
5. What time are courses taught by GTAs scheduled?
Courses taught by GTAs are scheduled at a range of times, M-F, from 7:30am-6:45pm. You will not be scheduled to teach at a time that overlaps with any of the courses in which you are enrolled. Having greater flexibility in your schedule increases your opportunities for teaching.
6. What is the pay-rate?
GTAs earn pay is based on the number of Weighted Teaching Units (WTUs) assigned to the class they are teaching.
In AY 2020-2021, the pay-rate for 1-WTU as a GTA was $1200.
Most GTA courses are 2-WTU courses, so the GTA earns $2400 per semester for each section they teach (typically one section, returning GTAs may be offered more than one).
PSYC 2210-ACT is only 1-WTU, but GTAs (new and returning) are typically assigned two sections for this course, earning them $2400 per semester.
7. Am I allowed to work as a GTA if I have another on-campus job?
In general, a student is allowed to work up to 20-hrs/week on campus (combining State-supported and UEC-supported positions).
There are different positions a student can work on campus: Graduate or Undergraduate Assistant (GA or SA). GAs and SAs are non-teaching positions, Research Assistant (RA is also a non-teaching position), Teaching Associate (TA), and/or Instructional Student Assistant (ISA).
TA: A TA is allowed to work up to 40-hrs/week, if TA is the only title you hold on campus. This is the one exception to the typical 20-hr/week limit.
ISA: An SI Leader (supported by UGS and/or U-RISE) is equivalent to an ISA. An ISA is allowed to work up to 20-hrs/week on campus.
TA+ISA: If you are working as a TA and at the same time as an ISA, then you can only work up to 20-hrs/week.
TA+GA/SA (or RA): If you are working as a TA and, at the same time, as a GA/SA or an RA, then you can only work up to 20-hrs/week.
ISA+GA/SA (or RA): If you are working as an ISA and, at the same time, as a GA/SA or an RA, then you can only work up to 20-hrs/week.
A typical 2-WTU GTA appointment equates to roughly 6-hr/week. A student with this GTA appointment can work an additional 14-hr/week at a different campus position (ISA, GA, SA, RA, or other campus job).