Quarterly TA  FAQ

This is a Frequently Asked Questions page for the "Quarterly TA" application process.

STEP 1: Read this FAQ

What is a quarterly teaching assistantship?

It is a teaching appointment awarded to a limited number of qualified graduate students who pass a competitive review. In exchange for financial support for one academic quarter, you are expected to work as an employee of the PSU ECE Department and perform certain teaching and/or grading duties. Graduate teaching assistants are represented by the Graduate Employees Union.

For general information, see:  https://www.pdx.edu/ogs/graduate-assistantships

Who is eligible for a quarterly TA appointment?

• Any full-time ECE graduate student may apply. Students from other MCECS departments are considered on a case-by-case basis.

• Preference is given to PhD students first, followed by MS thesis, and then MS course (non-thesis).

• You must be in good academic standing: being on academic probation or having a finding of academic dishonesty by the Student Conduct Committee makes you ineligible for a TA appointment. 

• Preference is given to students who have completed at least one term at PSU in their graduate program.

What are the general requirements?

• You should have a good GPA (grade point average) in the engineering classes you have taken.

• You should have good communication skills.

• Your schedule must have sufficient time available to fulfill your assigned TA duties. Having an internship  of 20 hours per week or more will disqualify a student from being a GTA. Other internships coinciding with a GTAship will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

• You must register for 9 credits of coursework directly applicable to your degree program. Students within 2 terms of graduation are allowed a minimum of 5 credits per term.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen?

No, you do not. International students are welcome to apply.

Do I need a Social Security number (SSN)?

Yes, you must be cleared to work in the United States and have valid documentation to support that. PSU can help an international student who does not have a SSN card to apply for one, but be aware that the process can take a long time. For an overview of the process, visit this page: Getting an SSN

How do I apply for a quarterly TA appointment?

There is an online Google Form that you need to fill out. The link is at the end of this FAQ.

When can I apply, and what are the due dates?

The application for the academic year 2024-25 opens May 1, 2024. Deadlines for each term are noted below, upcoming deadlines are noted in red.

When will I know if I have been selected to be a quarterly TA?

Except in cases of unexpected department needs or course scheduling changes, selected quarterly TAs will be informed no later than two (2) weeks before the start of the quarter for which they applied. We will also make every effort to let those not selected for a TAship know about the status of their application at that time.

What are the types of ECE TA appointments?

1. Course (lecture) - Assist with classroom teaching, recitations, and grading duties, along with course preparation

2. Lab - Handle lab teaching and grading duties

Note: If you are assigned to a lab section, then you are obligated to attend and supervise the lab sections in person.

What is the duration of a quarterly TA appointment?

One quarter (13 weeks) only.

How many hours am I expected to work each week as a TA?

The typical FTE (Full Time Equivalent) allocated to quarterly graduate TAs are:

• 0.30 FTE (12 hours/week for 13 weeks for covering a single course)  -or-

• 0.49 FTE (just under 20 hours/week for 13 weeks for covering two different courses or multiple lab sections). Most quarterly positions are .49 FTE.

How much will I be paid for my work?

Payment is in the form of:

• Remission of your tuition costs for one academic quarter - For fall, winter, and spring quarters, remission covers up to the first 9 credit hours of tuition. Summer TA positions do not include tuition remissions.

• Remission of part of your student fees - The department usually covers some of it, while you pay the rest.

• Monthly stipend - The amount of money you receive depends on your appointment's FTE allocation.

When do I have to show up on campus?

You must be present and available at least 1.5 weeks before the start of the quarter. This time may be used for required training and for staff to process any paperwork that needs your physical presence.

What type of training will I receive?

All new teaching assistants must undergo training to become familiar with PSU/ECE teaching and privacy policies. This may be in the form of a workshop or an online presentation. For lab TAs, there is an additional training session to cover lab procedures and lab equipment.

How is my performance assessed?

Students in a course have the opportunity to fill out a TA Evaluation form. The course instructor can compose a formal written assessment of your overall performance, which is kept in your ECE TA personnel file. Typical criteria include: 1) demonstrating the required knowledge base for the course, 2) acting in a professional and responsive manner when interacting with students and the instructor, 3) being on time to office hours and to class and/or lab meetings, 4) being diligent, accurate, and fair when grading student work, and 5) showing initiative in finding ways to improve course and student outcomes.

Can I be fired from a TA position?

Being a teaching assistant is a privilege, not a right. If you do not fulfill your contractual obligations as a teaching assistant and university employee, the ECE Department can terminate your employment in accordance with PSU and union contract rules.

What if I find an internship or something similar and decide not to finish my TA appointment?

While the ECE Department cannot stop you from quitting and finding another position elsewhere, resigning from a TAship without notice causes stress for faculty, staff, and students alike. Please communicate early if youthink something will interfere with your TAship.

If I successfully finish a quarterly TA appointment, am I guaranteed to get another one?

No, you are not. However, if the instructor you worked for thought highly of your performance, they might recommend you for another open position.

Will being a TA interfere with my own classwork, research, or social life?

Your TA assignment is an actual job, and you are an employee with all of the resulting responsibilities. This means you are expected to complete your TA duties properly and on time, or communicate as early as possible in a professional manner if your availability changes. 

STEP 2: Prepare to Apply

The online application form will ask you to answer several questions and submit information about yourself.

1. Decide which courses you are interested in being a TA for and that also match your qualifications. For your selected courses, you should have either taken them before at PSU or have taken equivalent courses at another institution. 

2. OPTIONAL:  If you have a résumé (CV) that you wish the instructor(s) to review, then have a digital copy ready to upload. If desired, you may also upload unofficial transcripts as extra documentation.

STEP 3: Fill out the Application Form

Click the button below to access the online application form.

• You will need a Google account (either your own or a PSU one)  to access the form.

• If the form is closed, that means applications are currently not being accepted.

• You can amend your application after you've submitted it through the confirmation link that will be emailed to you.

So what happens next?

• Applications are reviewed by ECE staff to verify students meet criteria: are full-time admitted graduate students, are enrolled in 9 credits of required coursework for the term of employment, meet academic standards, and are not in a full-time internship. 

• All valid applications are reviewed by the relevant course instructors. If an instructor is interested in your application, you may be contacted to schedule a meeting or interview to discuss your qualifications and the expectations of the job.

• We will inform you no later than two weeks before the start of the quarter if you have been selected. If you agree to accept a position, then you will receive an official appointment letter from the ECE Department with information on what to do next.

• ECE Staff and faculty are eager to fill TA positions, and are actively working on this process.  Contacting staff and faculty to ask about the status of your application or to argue your need for a GTAship only delays our ability to complete the process so we politely request your patience- all applicants will be notified once decisions are made.  Students who disregard this request demonstrate a lack of attention to requirements which can harm their GTA application.

Who can I talk to if I have more questions?

• Your academic adviser

• Email < eceinfo@pdx.edu >