What is an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant?
An Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) or Intern (UTIN) is typically a junior or senior, and in very rare cases a sophomore, who assists faculty with the teaching mission of the program.
Why should I become an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant?
Teaching is an invaluable experience. It develops communication and leadership skills while establishing a deeper connection with faculty members and course materials. Faculty can write recommendations with specific examples of the positive attributes of UTAs after working with them. Experience as a UTA is particularly helpful for students considering graduate studies; teaching is as much a part of graduate school as are classes and research.
What are the qualifications?
A student seeking a position as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant MUST meet the following qualifications:
- Students may only serve for credit as a UTA for a total of three (3) credit hours per academic career (if counted in the MAJOR).
- Students MUST have a G.P.A. of 2.75 (or B+) overall.
- Students MUST be an Eskenazi School major, and in rare cases, minors.
- A student may only serve (1) course/lab/studio for credit at a time.
- A student may NOT serve as an RA and UTA concurrently.
How will UTAs be compensated?
UTAs may be compensated by credit, or in studio courses with course fees, by hourly pay. Your sponsoring instructor will notify you of compensation options based on the assigned course.
- UTAs (intern) for credit will be compensated with equivalent credit hours matching the course credit hours that they are assigned as a UTA, with the exception of any course with 1.5 credit hours. UTAs assigned to a 1.5 credit hour course will register to receive one (1) credit hour.
- UTAs for pay will be given a wage based on the number of hours worked per week; in many cases that could be approximately 3–5 hours per week, and in most cases there is a maximum of ten (10) hours per week. A UTA for pay will be asked to complete a federal I-9 e-verification for employment eligibility. You will be required to provide either a valid passport, or both a valid driver’s license AND social security card, in a timely fashion prior to the semester work begins.
Still interested in being a UTA? Here are the PROCEDURES to follow:
- After the position that you are interested in is announced in class, complete the form below in its entirety.
- Attach a current copy of your unofficial transcript for the purpose of GPA verification and submit the application.
- Within approximately one to two (1–2) weeks you will receive notification from the instructor or advisor if you are selected.
- Once selected, coordinate a time with your instructor to discuss your responsibilities and training.
- A staff member or the DUS from the school will email you the link to complete the FERPA and Title IX tutorials, and you may receive other information about necessary hiring documents from the HR coordinator (if for pay).
- You will be notified via email when you have been given permission to register for the appropriate course (if for credit). This could be several weeks after selection.