Updated May 2025
Teaching offers many graduate students important professional experience as well as a source of income during their program. Teaching Assistants (TAs) also play an important role in providing an education to undergraduate and graduate students and serve as valuable members of the UCLA instructional community. This guide provides an overview of how to become a TA, including eligibility and training requirements, the application process, and tips for being a competitive candidate.
Note that this guide is not exhaustive — be sure to explore the linked resources for up-to-date information.
What is a TA and what do they do?
A TA is an enrolled graduate student who holds an academic appointment that is supervised by a faculty member. TA duties vary widely by discipline and course but may include leading discussion sections, grading, lesson planning,and others outlined in the UC Academic Student Employee Contract. Specific TA responsibilities should be communicated via a supplemental letter that accompanies a Written Notice of Appointment when hired.
TA appointments typically range from 25% (110 hours per quarter; an average of 10 hours per week) to 50% (220 hours per quarter; an average of 20 hours per week) time. Appointments of at least 25% time carry the potential for tuition and fee remission. As Academic Student Employees (ASEs), TAs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). More information on TA compensation, working hours, and benefits can be found in the UCLA Academic Apprentice Personnel Manual.
What eligibility requirements must I meet to be a TA?
Graduate students need to meet certain qualifications to be TAs. Prospective TAs must be enrolled in at least 12 graduate units and be in good academic standing (not be on academic probation or have a lapse in degree candidacy), as well as have at least a 3.0 UC graduate GPA. Non-native English speakers must also pass the Test of Oral Proficiency (TOP) or meet exemption criteria. Graduate students can serve as TAs for no more than 12 academic quarters, or by exception, up to 18 quarters following their advancement to doctoral candidacy.
Additional requirements may apply for specific appointments. Review the UCLA Academic Apprentice Personnel Manual and consult a departmental grad advisor or the Division of Graduate Education for further guidance.
What training requirements do I need to meet to be a TA at UCLA?
The UCLA Graduate Council has designated three primary training requirements for becoming a TA. Note that training requirements may vary based on the TA’s hiring department. See below for details, and visit the Teaching and Learning Center website for additional information.
Enroll in a 495 Course
All new TAs are required to complete a departmental 495 pedagogy course prior to or during their first quarter as a TA. Course format varies by department and is tailored to fit that discipline. Check with the hiring department about which 495 course is required and which quarter it is offered.
Complete Professional Standards and Ethics Training (PSET)
These online compliance modules in Bruin Learn equip TAs with an understanding of their role and responsibilities, as well as acquaint them with resources to support their students. Graduate students can self-enroll in the PSET course at any time but must complete it by the end of the second week of their first term as a TA or, in the case of a late appointment, two weeks after the start of the appointment. Training is intended to take four to five hours to complete.
Complete Basic Pedagogy Training
TAs must complete training in five basic pedagogy areas as part of their 495 course. This requirement can be satisfied in one of three ways: by completing the TLC-developed Foundations of Teaching curriculum in its entirety, by completing equivalent departmental training, or by a combination of the previous options. The pathway students follow depends on which department they enroll under for their 495 pedagogy course. View this chart to determine which pathway is being used by a specific department.
How do I find out about TA positions?
Graduate students can learn about available TA positions through department mentors and peers, as well as by building a professional network across campus. Additionally, the UCLA ASE/GSR Marketplace provides email notifications about open positions.
Below are some additional pathways for finding open TA positions:
Collegium of University Teaching Fellows (CUTF): An opportunity for doctoral students to design and teach an undergraduate course with support from the TLC.
Teaching Assistant Consultant (TAC) Program: An opportunity for graduate students to serve as a TA for a 495 departmental pedagogy course.
Cluster Program: An opportunity for graduate students to serve as TAs for a year-long seminar helping first-year students successfully transition to UCLA and teach their own seminar during Spring Quarter. The Cluster Program also recruits graduate students to teach during Spring Quarters.
Writing Programs: TA positions for writing-focused courses are available with additional training requirements.
Academic Advancement Program: An opportunity for graduate students to teach as part of the Freshman Summer Program and Transfer Summer Program for incoming undergraduates.
How do I apply to be a TA?
Applications for TA positions typically involve submitting a CV and cover letter to the hiring department. Remember to consult the department for specific deadlines and processes (including whether the department recruits TAs from outside their degree programs).
Before applying, reflect on teaching experiences and a philosophy of teaching to craft compelling application documents. Make an appointment with consultants at the Teaching and Learning Center, Graduate Career Services, and the Graduate Writing Center for support in crafting compelling application materials.
How do I make myself a competitive TA candidate?
Departments and programs have varying criteria for awarding TAships. Make sure to check with the department or program for which you would like to be a TA about required or preferred qualifications.
Additionally, graduate students interested in becoming TAs can develop valuable skills by participating in professional development opportunities hosted on campus by the TLC, Center for Education, Innovation, and Learning in the Sciences (CEILS), Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL), HumTech, the UCLA Library, and other offices. Attend these centers’ pedagogy-related workshops and events to learn about instructional best practices, become familiar with teaching technologies, and grow a professional network at UCLA.
In addition, candidates can complete teaching-related coursework or earn a teaching certificate through programs such as CIRTL Certificate, Graduate Certificate in Writing Pedagogy and Project MATCH, Candidates can also gain teaching experience as an instructor at a community college to become more competitive applicants.
What else should I know about being a TA?
Get in touch with the TLC’s Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Engagement (GSPSE) team for additional resources and insights about being a TA at UCLA.
Resources
Contact the following campus offices, centers, and/or programs for additional information on applying for TA positions:
UCLA Academic Apprentice Personnel Manual
UCLA Center for Education, Innovation, and Learning in the Sciences (CEILS)
UCLA Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL)
UCLA Graduate Certificate in Writing Pedagogy