University Teaching Assistantship

The University Teaching Assistantship (UTA) is designed to support innovative undergraduate and graduate classroom experiences while concurrently providing appointed UTAs with enriching and creative professional development opportunities. Applicants propose a course – a new course or a revamp of an existing course – that provides a creative or innovative enhancement to the department’s course offering for undergraduate and graduate students. This assistantship is an employed position of 20 hours/week (0.50 FTE).

Academic departments may endorse up to two (2) candidates for the UTA; students should check with their department contact (Director of Graduate Studies, Graduate Advisor) to ensure you are an endorsed candidate prior to applying.

BENEFITS

• Salary of $27,000 (August 16, 2024, thru May 15, 2025)
• Subsidized health insurance
• Tuition benefits (if eligibility requirements are met)

ELIGIBILITY

• Must be a current graduate student at the time of application (incoming graduate students are not eligible to apply)
• Must be in good academic standing
• Must have teaching experience (which may include TA experience)
  Additionally, international students are eligible for the UTA, but must have obtained work authorize.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Upload a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
• Proposal Section A. Nomination Summary: 1) Name of department (or program and associated department), 2) TA assignment(s), 3) Name and email of teaching mentor(s), 4) Name, UNID and email address of UTA nominee
• Proposal Section B. Proposal Narrative: 1) Proposed course title, 2) UTA Assignment. Include a detailed description of the proposed UTA assignment. Specifically address the novel aspects of the proposal and how the proposed UTA assignment will impact the quality of the undergraduate and/or graduate student experience at the University of Utah. Explain how the UTA assignment will represent a departure from traditional uses of TAs in your program, 3) Interaction with student population. Specifically address the nature of the interaction between the UTA and the undergraduate and/or students, 4) Mentor. Include the credentials and recognition of the mentor(s) for excellent teaching and the detailed responsibilities of the faculty mentor(s) with respect to the UTA program, 5) The UTA. Describe the qualifications of the UTA being nominated for this award, 6) Prior support. For those departments having received prior University TA support in the last three years, include an evaluation of the success of your UTA program. Describe the methods used for this evaluation, 7) Assessment Plan. Include an assessment plan which articulates the purpose and goals of the assistantship(s) as well as the means by which their achievement will be assessed. If you are applying for renewal, please include an assessment of your first year based on this plan.
• Proposal Section C. Statement of Purpose from the nominated UTA. A statement of purpose prepared by the student who is being nominated for the UTA award must be included. This statement of purpose should include, but is not limited to, a discussion of long-term teaching goals and motivation to improve undergraduate and/or education. The statement of purpose is limited to one page.
• Letters of Endorsement & Recommendation: 1) Letter of endorsement by the chair or their designee. The letter of support from the mentor and chair must clearly indicate that resources necessary for a successful UTA assignment (computer support, general supplies, etc.) will be made available; this is not a traditional letter of recommendation, * 2) Traditional letter of recommendation from the mentor, who will comment on the student’s unique ability to carry out the proposed project.

DEADLINES: Students must submit their applications by Friday, December 29, 2023, and letters of recommendation and department endorsement must be uploaded by Friday, January 5, 2024.