Graduate teaching assistants must earn a master’s or doctoral degree.
Becoming a graduate teaching assistant or GTA is a great way to help pay for graduate school costs as well as gain valuable experience in your chosen field. A graduate teaching assistant assists a professor in class, correcting tests or assignments, offering tutorials or discussion sessions, or maintaining regular office hours, among other tasks. To become an undergraduate teaching assistant, it is usually necessary to indicate your interest on your application to graduate school.
Graduate teaching assistants often need to be available to help undergraduate students.
Some graduate students are simply pursuing a master’s degree, while others may be pursuing a Ph.D. Each university may have different requirements for those who wish to become an undergraduate teaching assistant. For example, some universities require that their assistant professors already have a master’s degree in their chosen field and be pursuing a doctorate; other universities may simply require graduate teaching assistants to have a certain number of graduate credits in their field.
Graduate students can gain work experience by helping professors prepare class materials.
Once you have determined the educational level requirements to become a graduate teaching assistant and have noted your interest in your application, you will likely need to have an interview with the department and the specific professor you will be working with. It is very important to appear professional and knowledgeable in this interview, and to demonstrate your willingness to pursue a graduate teaching assistant job in addition to your studies.
Graduate teaching assistants may be asked to assist with grading assignments.
Once you become a graduate teaching assistant, the requirements don’t end. Most colleges require their assistant professors to maintain a certain GPA to maintain their position. If your GPA drops below a certain level, say 3.0, your job could be offered to someone else. Each college may also require different things from their teaching assistants; some may give lectures and teach a full course, usually at a basic freshman level. Others may simply be asked to fill in if the teacher is absent, or to proctor tests in class and offer office hours for students who may have questions.
Graduate teaching assistants can practice working with students by organizing tutoring programs.
Keep in mind that while becoming a graduate teaching assistant can be extremely financially beneficial, it can also be very stressful, especially during semester and final exams. Keep in mind that you will probably have to prepare for your own tests and assignments, but all college students will likely need help here too. For those who can manage their time well and enjoy working with other students, becoming a graduate teaching assistant can be a great option during graduate school and can help you make great contacts to use in the future.