Graduate Study
Becoming a Graduate Teaching Assistant
In any given year, between 15 and 25 graduate students in the Department are awarded Graduate Teaching Assistants. The positions may be awarded to incoming students for two (MA) or three years (MFA) and to continuing students for one (MA) or two years (MFA). These positions pay a monthly stipend and cover resident or non-resident tuition for first-year GTAs and resident tuition for second- and third-year GTAs. (It is assumed that first-year graduate students who are awarded GTA positions will establish Colorado residency by the beginning of their second year in the program.) Typically, students awarded GTAs serve as instructors in first-year composition courses. In some cases, they serve as research assistants or administrative assistants. A limited number of GTAs in the Intensive English Program are available for TEFL/TESL students.
If you want to be considered for a teaching assistantship for the MFA program, please apply to both the MFA program and the GTA by December 15. If you want to be considered for a teaching assistantship for the MA program, please apply to both your program and the GTA by January 15. GTA applications are considered after the application deadline for the following fall semester. The Department strongly recommends that students discuss the application process with the Graduate Program Administrative Assistant. If possible, we also recommend that students talk with faculty advisors about the application process.
For students already enrolled in the program, an orientation session about applying for a GTA position is usually conducted in November.
Students interested in applying for a position as a Graduate Teaching Assistant should obtain a copy of the GTA Application form . Colorado State University conducts background checks on all final applicants.
For information about course offerings and registration procedures for the upcoming semester or summer session, please view the Rambler, the Department's student newsletter.
This information is not intended to replace your advisor or the information in the CSU General Catalog, the Class Schedule, or the Department Checksheets.
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