Graduate Teaching and Instructional Assistants

At the Center for Teaching Excellence, we recognize the vital contribution that Graduate Teaching Assistants make to the university's goals and instructional mission. We offer numerous resources to help you develop your teaching abilities, learn strategies for effective teaching, and explore new classroom instruction techniques.

University GTA/IA Teaching Requirements

The Graduate School and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation standards require that all graduate students who will be newly appointed Teaching or Instructional Assistants (GTA/IAs), with any kind of instructional or teaching assistance responsibilities, must participate in a two-part training program that includes:

GTA/GIA Orientation, and
GRAD 701, USC's Teaching Assistant Development course.

GTA/IA Orientation

GTA/IA's must participate in a Graduate TA/IA Orientation that introduces graduate students to teaching at USC prior to the start of classes. GTA/IA Orientation consists of four parts, each with a different focus to provide concise, helpful information, resources, and guidance on developing your teaching skills as you prepare to teach at USC for the first time. Part A requires in-person attendance, Part B is facilitated synchronously online, and Parts C and D are asynchronous online content modules. Parts A and B require advance registration.

GRAD 701, Teaching Assistant Development

GRAD 701 is a formalized professional training course that GTA/IAs are required to take either during or before their first semester of teaching. Students must register for either the general GRAD 701 section 001 (open to all departments, most students register for this), a specific departmental GRAD 701 section (for certain departments only), or an equivalent course offered by their academic unit (if offered that semester) that has been approved by the Graduate School.

Preparing Future Faculty

For graduate students and post-docs who want to become faculty members at the college level, the Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) program is designed to assist participants in identifying and accomplishing key professional development activities related to becoming a future faculty member. The PFF program at USC is administered through a partnership between the Center for Teaching Excellence and the Graduate School.

Workshops and Events

CTE is committed to planning and implementing professional development programming for GTA/IAs. Graduate student workshops and events are specifically designed to address challenges unique to being a graduate teaching assistant.

For questions concerning GTA/IA training, contact Dr. Michelle Hardee, Program Manager, hardeem@mailbox.sc.edu or 803-777-1975.

All international graduate students who will be newly appointed TAs/IAs must additionally participate in an International TA Training speaking assessment practice workshop (ITA Workshop) and subsequently have their English proficiency assessed (ITA Assessment) through the English Programs for Internationals (EPI) office prior to the start of classes. For questions regarding International Teaching Assistant (ITA) training and assessment, English speaking/writing proficiency requirements or courses, or International Student Orientations, please contact the following:

• International Teaching Assistant (ITA) training workshop and assessment dates, workshop agenda and microlesson assignment, IELTS and iBT score exemptions, or other ITA questions: epib-ita@mailbox.sc.edu, 803-777-3867, or visit their ITA Workshop and Assessment page.

• English for Foreign Students (ENFS) requirements, courses, and other questions: epib-enfs@mailbox.sc.edu or visit the English for Foreign Students page

• International Student Services (ISS) Orientation dates and other information: iss@sc.edu, 803-777-7461, or visit their International Student Orientation page.

Center for Teaching Excellence