Assistantships

Assistantships usually require students to work as assistant teachers (TAs), research assistants (RAs) or assistants to professors within their department or field of study. The amount awarded will vary depending on the funds that support them. (Research positions are typically paid through grants while teaching positions are usually paid through state funds.) TAs are considered members of the faculty. Teaching positions often involve teaching first-year 101-level courses. Research Assistants usually assist in laboratory work. Each school and department will have its own regulations and requirements.

We make it easy!

In both fall and spring semesters, the College of Graduate Studies holds a two-day training program and a series of workshops to teach you how to be a Teaching Assistant. Taught by COGS Dean Margrit von Braun, these classes will strengthen your leadership skills, assist you in developing a professional portfolio and help advance the development of your career.

Schedule

Spring 2010 TA training will be held on Monday, January 11 and Tuesday, January 12 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  In addition, international TAs must attend an additional workshop on Friday, January 8 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. which will focus on culture and climate topics pertinent to teaching in the U.S. classroom. Locations and topics will be announced soon.

Course Description

Teaching Assistant Professional Training is intended to provide professional development opportunities for all teaching assistants. Topics include University of Idaho academic policies and procedures, available resources, teaching methods and more — all of which is considered highly beneficial to new and experienced TAs alike.

Mandatory training

As a requirement of Human Resources and the College of Graduate Studies, employment as a teaching assistant is contingent upon your completion of the two-day mandatory TA Training workshop.  The Teaching Assistant Workshop, required of all part-time and full-time TAs located on the Moscow campus, is designed to improve the quality of your teaching and your assistantship experience and is held the two days prior to your official entry semester (fall or spring).   In addition, there will be a workshop for International TAs held three days prior to the official start of the term. Exceptional or emergency circumstances that preclude attendance at the fall workshop must be petitioned to the College of Graduate Studies.

As a condition of employment, COGS and Human Resources require all part-time and full-time teaching assistants take the workshop prior to the first semester of teaching. Training is mandatory and attendance is monitored. Because of scheduling difficulties we will no longer offer Teaching Assistant Professional Training (INTR 503, 1 cr.) as a formal course option.

Seminars

Seminars will be offered for overall graduate student enrichment but are not required for this training program.