Graduate Studies

Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Information

Appalachian State University employs between 100 and 120 Graduate Teaching Assistants each year in several academic departments and programs:

These GTAs typically provide instruction in introductory courses and laboratory sections, and are closely supervised by faculty mentors who are themselves outstanding teachers. A graduate teaching assistantship provides valuable classroom experience for graduate students who plan to teach at any level, but especially in postsecondary settings.

Appointment to a Graduate Teaching Assistantship

In order to be appointed as a GTA, a graduate student must meet the following requirements:

Earned a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the discipline in which the GTA will teach.
Maintained a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0. N.B. In some disciplines, such as Gerontology, 3.5 is the minimum GPA for a graduate teaching assistant.
Completed a graduate assistants' training program that includes supervised classroom practice. Some departments provide year-long training programs (Psychology, English); other departments provide apprenticeships with outstanding faculty (Geography, Human Development and Psychological Counseling).
Attended the University-wide GTA conference (held in August) that satisfies the requirements of the University of North Carolina.

A Graduate Teaching Assistantship appointment can be terminated by a department for the following reasons:

Repeated failure to meet classes or labs
Violation of University and State policies
Clear evidence of inappropriate behavior

Evaluation of Graduate Teaching Assistants

The performance of all graduate teaching assistants is evaluated by the Graduate School at the end of each academic semester.

In addition to the Graduate School's evaluation, several departments and programs require that graduate teaching assistants participate in the end-of-term faculty evaluation process.

Teaching Awards

Each spring, three Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant awards are made at the annual Graduate Student Awards Luncheon.

Awards are competitive, and are based on the following:

Nomination by a GTA's teaching mentor
A teaching portfolio submitted by the nominee. The portfolio generally includes syllabi, sample course assignments, course materials developed by the GTA, and student evaluations. Occasionally, nominees have submitted videotapes that document their classroom performance and teaching style.

Essential Legal Information for GTAs

The Family Educational Records Privacy Act (FERPA)
"Academic Freedom" and the First Amendment
Classroom Policies

Essential Employment Information for GTAs

Graduate Teaching Assistants are considered part-time University employees, and the following State policies apply:

State Personnel System
Liability Protection
Computers and Electronic Documents