Overview
On an annual basis, the Collegium of University Teaching Fellows (CUTF) program invites graduate student instructors to propose courses that contribute to expanding undergraduate access to course-based research and creative activities. Prospective fellows are encouraged to draw inspiration from their own research and graduate school experience to design courses that will engage and inspire the next generation of researchers and creative practitioners, and help demystify graduate study pathways.
Research demonstrates that participating in course-based research and creative experiences yields a wide range of benefits for undergraduates that include: improving content knowledge, communication skills, confidence, self-efficacy, motivation, sense of belonging, educational aspirations, persistence, and more (Auchincloss et al., 2014; Meyer et al., 2023). By engaging graduate student instructors in the development and delivery of such courses, the CUTF program prepares graduate students for high-impact teaching careers and simultaneously ensures that undergraduates have opportunities to learn from some of UCLA’s most cutting-edge researchers and creative practitioners.
Program Benefits for Participants
Fellows receive one quarter of TA funding at 50% time at the level of Teaching Fellow, as well as two units of course credit associated with the program’s pedagogy seminar and a certificate of completion at the end of the program. Participation in CUTF can also be applied to satisfy requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Writing Pedagogy and CIRTL Certification. Fellows gain experience designing and leading a course as the primary instructor and benefit from a learning community that provides support for their professional development as educators. Each year, TLC celebrates CUTF participants with a reception.
Program Learning Outcomes
Through the CUTF program, UCLA graduate students:
- Design and teach an undergraduate course, with a focus on involving students in course-based research or creative activity in the fellow’s discipline.
- Apply evidence-based, learner-centered course design strategies to support the development of undergraduates as researchers and/or creative practitioners.
- Contribute to a peer learning community facilitated by the Teaching & Learning Center and receive individualized support from a faculty mentor.
- Engage in reflective inquiry to assess the impact of their course design decisions on student outcomes.
- Develop a teaching portfolio that documents lessons learned through the program in the form of revised course materials, a reflective teaching statement, and other materials to help fellows prepare for academic job searches.
Information Sessions
To learn more about the Collegium of University Teaching Fellows, please join us for an online information session. The content of both sessions will be the same (though Q&A may differ).
Session 1
4-5 p.m., March 10
Register here
Session 2
Noon-1 p.m., March 18
Register here
Departmental Nominations for the 2025-2026 CUTF cohort are due by 5 p.m. on April 30.
