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Teaching Assistantships

Group OrientationGraduate students at TSRI are given the opportunity to acquire teaching experience by providing assistance to the graduate program course directors. Typically, the student will submit a brief written request to the graduate office and course director(s) for a teaching assistant assignment three months prior to the beginning of the class. Selections will be made by the course director(s). The graduate program will provide for a total TA allowance of $1,500 per course in the form of an academic allotment. If the course director designates two TAs, each student will receive $750, if three TAs then $500, etc.

The duties of a TA may include: 

  • conducting discussion, recitation, laboratory, or quiz sections;
  • holding office conferences with students;
  • preparing materials for classroom or laboratory instruction;
  • assisting professors in designing a course;
  • preparing materials and tests;
  • proctoring examinations;
  • and grading student papers and examinations.

The TA assists a course instructor by grading homework, papers, or exams and may answer students' questions about such assignments.

The TA also provides tutoring to individuals (one-on-one) or small groups (three or more) of graduate students who require additional help to understand a course or topical material.