Being a teaching assistant has been one of my favorite college experiences so far. I have enjoyed seeing the other side of a college classroom and learning more about how courses are organized. This opportunity has taught me so many things about the professional setting of a university, and I am excited to finish out this semester with Dr. Hill!
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UGTA) Program
Each year the Department of Sociology selects a limited number of highly qualified students to participate in an undergraduate teaching assistant experience. Undergraduates work under the direct supervision of a faculty mentor and assist in teaching-related activities. Tasks and responsibilities – which are limited to no more than 10 hours per week – depend on the exact needs of the course and experience level of individual undergraduate participants, but include such things as:
- Grading
- Maintaining Class Attendance records
- Classroom management
- Attending Lectures
- Taking Notes
- Holding Office Hours (via zoom)
- Leading Study Sessions
- Tutoring Individual Students
Depending on the course and faculty mentor, the undergraduate TA may also assist with an in-class lecture or presentation. The undergraduate TA experience can be taken for course credit (for up to 3 credit hours).
Eligibility
The Department of Sociology is seeking highly qualified undergraduate students who are given the opportunity, in a formal capacity, to support the teaching efforts of a faculty member. To ensure that only qualified candidates are put in such positions, the department has established the following eligibility criteria for potential teaching assistants:
- Candidates must have a 3.5 cumulative grade point average (or better)
- Candidates must have already successfully completed the course for which they wish to assist, with an ‘A’ grade
- Candidates must get approval from, or be referred by, the professor that they are going to be assisting prior to the UGTA experience (the department will help with placement if the candidate and professor are unfamiliar with each other)
Exceptions to these requirements can be made at the discretion of the faculty member supervising the teaching assistant’s efforts.
Benefits to being a UGTA
The undergraduate teaching assistant experience offers several benefits to participating students, including:
- Acquiring a stronger grasp of the course material
- Gaining hands-on experience learning about the ‘behind the scenes’ aspects of the classroom, including the dynamics of student learning, familiarity with course development, grading, testing and evaluation
- Developing a connection with a faculty member, which can translate into an informal mentoring relationship and stronger letters of recommendation
- Participating in a “gateway” experience that can lead to further research opportunities or ultimately a paid graduate position
- Gaining professional experience, including working with others, participating in meetings, working within deadlines, organizing information, and improving time management skills
Student Testimonial
Application
The Department of Sociology uses a formal application process. Interested applicants are encouraged to fill out an application using the following link:
Before filling out the application, applicants should speak with a faculty member who can provide them with a letter of reference (that faculty member’s contact information should be included in the application). Also, applicants should have in mind a course for which they would like to be a TA (ideally one taught by the faculty member writing a letter of recommendation and in which the applicant has passed, or is currently enrolled in, with an ‘A’ grade). The applicant should also be prepared to write a brief statement indicating their motivations/aims in serving as an undergraduate TA.
An undergraduate TA committee evaluates applications two times per year (in the Fall and Spring semesters). The deadlines for applications are: October 15th (Fall) and March 15th (Spring). Applicants must have all of their application materials submitted by these dates.
