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Teaching Assistantships

Application Procedures:

To apply to the TA program, applicants must submit the following materials for evaluation:

  1. TA application form, available in the English Department Advisement Office (ET A638) (click here for a PDF version)

  2. transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work (unless degrees are from CSULA)

  3. a writing sample of at least 10 pages

  4. three letters of recommendation (including at least one from a CSULA English Department faculty member)

Once accepted, TAs must complete the training program before they will be assigned classes to teach.

Eligibility:

In order to be eligible to be selected as a Teaching Associate (TA), applicants must have fulfilled the following requirements:

  • have classified graduate standing in English

  • have completed at least 8 units on their CSLA English MA program

  • have earned a minimum 3.50 GPA in work on their CSLA English MA program

Students will be selected as Teaching Associates based on the quality of their work in the MA program and their promise of success as writing instructors.  Applications are reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee.

Training Program:

Once accepted into the TA program, TAs must complete the training program before being assigned a course.  The training program consists of three components:

  • Completion of ENGL 504:  Theories of Composition and Rhetoric.

  • Completion of one quarter tutoring in the University Writing Center, which includes a tutoring orientation provided by the Writing Center Director and any subsequent tutor development workshops provided by the Writing Center or an alternate program developed by the Writing Center director if no tutoring positions are available.

  • Completion of an orientation program conducted by the English Department in the week prior to their first teaching assignment.  During this orientation, TAs will receive assistance in constructing syllabi, developing lesson plans and assignments for the first few weeks of class, and learning about other practical teaching issues.  Students who begin teaching winter quarter must attend the fall orientation and the fall TA workshops to prepare for their first class assignment.

Conditions of Employment:

  1. TAs will be assigned one class during their first quarter of teaching. Except under unusual circumstances, TAs will not be assigned two classes a quarter; both the TA Coordinator and the Composition Coordinator must approve any exceptions.

  2. TAs may receive course assignments for no more than six quarters.  These six quarters must occur within ten quarters of receiving the first assignment.

  3. TAs will be reappointed at the discretion of the Department Chair, upon recommendation by the TA Coordinator and contingent upon successful performance.

  4. TAs will be hired at Teaching Associate Range 1.

  5. During each quarter of employment, TAs will be required to enroll in ENGL 398 for 1 unit and two sections of ENGL 499 for one unit each.

  6. TAs must average at least four units of work per quarter on their programs (ENGL 398 and 499 do not count toward the unit requirement) or be enrolled in at least one unit of thesis work (ENGL 599).

  7. TAs will not be given assignments during quarters when they are employed full-time elsewhere unless a formal written appeal has been made and approved by the TA Coordinator and the Department Chair.

  8. During each quarter of teaching, TAs will attend regular practicum workshops and individual conferences with the TA Coordinator.  Every TA will be visited in their first quarter of teaching and, thereafter, as deemed necessary.

  9. TAs must maintain a 3.5 GPA on their master’s program in order to remain in the program and remain eligible for assignments.  Students who fall below that level will need to re-apply to the Graduate Studies Committee for reinstatement as TAs when their GPAs return to a 3.5.

  10. Completion of all Incomplete grades is required before an assignment can be made.

In addition to meeting fully its obligations under federal and state law, California State University Los Angeles is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live, work and learn in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual, without regard to economic status, ethnic or cultural background, political views, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics or beliefs.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/TITLE IX EMPLOYER

Upon request, reasonable accommodation will be provided to individuals with protected disabilities to (a) complete the employment process and (b) perform essential job functions when this does not cause an undue hardship.

Revised:  1/18/2008

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© 2008 Trustees of the California State University

Last Update: 01/24/2009