PhD Student Handbook

Teaching Assistant and Instructor Assignment

The program recognizes that it is important for doctoral students to have teaching experience before graduation. Therefore, attempts will be made to enable doctoral students to become teaching assistants and, if possible, class instructors.

All doctoral student teaching assistantships must be arranged through consultation with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Students may not arrange paid or unpaid teaching assistantships independently with faculty members. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will solicit letters of interest and CVs among eligible students, and assignments will be made in consultation with faculty sequence chairs and the Director of the Doctoral Program.

The assignment procedure will follow these guidelines:

1. Students in their 1st year of the doctoral program are not eligible for teaching assistantships.
2. Students in their 2nd year of the doctoral program are generally not considered for teaching assistant positions. However, they may petition the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to request a teaching assistant assignment. Compensation for these positions will be considered part of the student’s doctoral program stipend.
3. Students in their 3rd year of the doctoral program are eligible for teaching assistant or instructor positions. Applications are submitted to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for approval in consultation with faculty sequence chairs and the Director of the Doctoral Program. Compensation for these positions will be considered part of the student’s doctoral program stipend. Extra compensation will not be given for teaching during the academic year. Compensation will be given for summer teaching at the regular part-time faculty rate.
   
   
   • Students in or beyond their 4th year of the doctoral program are eligible for teaching assistant or instructor positions. Applications are submitted to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for approval in consultation with faculty sequence chairs and the Director of the Doctoral Program. Students in or beyond their 4th year of the doctoral program receive priority in teaching assignments and will be compensated at the regular part-time faculty rate.