UCLA is a large and complex institution. This page provides answers to basic information regarding University TA policy and practices and provides links to units in the University that share responsibilities for various aspects of the TAship. This information is designed to answer some of your questions and to help you find the appropriate sources and materials for additional information.
Many graduate students work as Teaching Assistants as a way to get valuable classroom teaching experience. A TA’s duties may include teaching, holding office hours, preparing course materials, and grading under the tutelage and supervision of regular faculty members who are responsible for curriculum and instruction in the University.
TAs are academic student employees hired directly by departments, thus if you are seeking employment as a TA, first check that you are eligible to be a TA (see the first link below), then contact the department in which you wish to teach directly. To be notified about potential TA openings across campus, please join Graduate Division’s TA Marketplace listserv.
Eligibility
Information regarding eligibility, terms of employment, qualifications, and duration of employment for TAs, can be found in Graduate Division’s resource for Working at UCLA. You can also review the Academic Apprentice Personnel Manual.
Benefits
A summary of benefits, requirements for maintaining benefits, and the acknowledgment statement for students receiving academic apprentice appointments at UCLA can be found in the Fee Remission Benefits & Statement of Understanding.
Union contract
Information on addressing workload, benefits, grievance and arbitration, and discipline and dismissal can be found in the UAW Union Contract.
Salary scale
Salary information is published in the Academic Apprentice Salary Scale.
Financial assistance
Interest-free loans are available for qualified TAs as a way to receive checks early. Apply through the Advanced Loan Authorization Form for TAs.
You may be eligible for other financial assistance in addition to your teaching assistantship. Consult the Financial Aid Office (A-129J Murphy Hall)
Graduate students at UCLA are required to attend/complete quite a lot of training from the University and from their home departments. When you become an employee of the University, whether as a TA, GSR, or other employment, additional training may also be required. The information provided on this page applies only to TAships.
Campus-wide TA Training Requirement (effective Fall 2022)
In April 2022, a new strengthened requirements for Teaching Assistant (TA) training, enacted by the Graduate Council and effective fall quarter 2022 was announced. For the academic year of 2022-23, these requirements affect both new and continuing TAs.
All departments and programs hiring TAs must ensure that TAs enroll in a 495 pedagogy course before or during their first quarter appointed as a TA. The departmental 495 pedagogy course must include completion of the Professional Standards and Ethical Training (PSET) module in BruinLearn, attendance of the Foundations Series workshops, and disciplinary pedagogical training.
Please see the Campus-wide TA Training Requirements page for more information.
TA Workshops and Annual Conference
The CAT TA Training Program assists TAs at UCLA to improve their teaching and advance their professional development. The TATP offers a campus-wide TA Conference in the Fall and workshops throughout the year. The Foundations Series workshops, required by most departments are offered throughout the year through the CAT TA Training Program.
Visit our website for information on our workshops and other events.
Test of Oral Proficiency (TOP)
Students who plan to work as a teaching assistant (TA) at UCLA and are non-US citizens must pass the TOP before working as a TA in any department at UCLA. All non-citizens are considered international students. This includes permanent residents. However, international students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. university are exempt from taking the TOP. Register to take the TOP Exam.
Title IX Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Prevention Training
The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community in which students, faculty, administrative, and academic staff can work together in an atmosphere free of all forms of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation, including those of a sexual nature. Specifically, every member of the UCLA community should be aware that the University is strongly opposed to sexual harassment and that such behavior is prohibited both by law and by University policy. It is the intention of the University to take what ever action needed to prevent, correct and, if necessary, discipline behavior which violates this policy. The Title IX/Sexual Harassment Prevention Office is located at 2241 Murphy Hall.
All graduate students, new and continuing, are required to to take Title IX compliance training, as outlined on the Graduate Division website. Not completing this training in time could impact your ability to register for classes. Your hiring department may also require an additional TA-specific Title IX training that will cover your reporting responsibility as an employee. This training is different from the training you receive as a graduate student. Please check with the department in which you are employed regarding these requirements.
Reporting structures and support vary based on the type of grievance. Please select one of the accordion sections below to learn more.
Complaints against a teaching assistant
A person who alleges that an apprentice appointee (graduate student Teaching Assistant) has violated University policy or professional ethics can address a complaint to the department chairperson who has jurisdiction over the individual’s appointment. The chairperson is empowered to lodge a formal complaint against the individual with the Dean of the school or college under whose jurisdiction the department falls. The formal complaint consists of a written statement of the facts that allegedly constitute a violation of University policy or professional ethics. A copy of the statement is sent to the individual against whom the complaint has been lodged.
If the Dean concludes that there is a clear probability that the individual’s continued assignment to his or her regular duties would endanger the University or substantially impair the integrity of the academic program, the Dean may place the individual on full or partial interim suspension with pay, pending resolution of the case. Upon investigating the facts of the case, the Dean may impose appropriate disciplinary sanctions including written censure, suspension, or dismissal, subject to the procedures for termination. The Dean informs the Chancellor, the Dean of the Graduate Division, the department chairperson who has jurisdiction over the individual’s appointment, and the individual, of the decision and of any sanctions to be imposed. When the sanction to be imposed involves dismissal, the dean must give notice in accordance with the policy on termination. In any case resulting in the imposition of a sanction, the individual has the right to appeal under the Campus Appeal Procedure. See also Article 8 in the Union Contract.
Complaints against a faculty member
Informal Consultation: If the Teaching Assistant feels safe they should discuss the matter with the faculty member concerned, and together they should make an effort to resolve the problem. If the Teaching Assistant does not feel safe meeting with the faculty they can discuss the issue with the department chairperson.
College and School Deans: A TA who wishes to make a complaint about the department chairperson, or about the department as a whole, may take the matter to the appropriate dean in the College of Letters and Science (2300 Murphy Hall, 310-825-9009) or to the appropriate dean of the school or college concerned.
Office of Ombuds Services
The UCLA Office of Ombuds Services is a conflict management resource that serves all members of the campus community, including Teaching Assistants. The Ombuds Office offers a safe place to discuss employment issues (including sexual harassment), interpersonal conflicts, academic concerns, policy questions, bureaucratic frustrations, ethical challenges, and other campus-related problems. Visitors can expect that their identity and concerns will be kept confidential by an impartial Ombudsperson. The Office also seeks to promote fair conflict management by identifying systemic concerns. The Ombuds Office is located in Strathmore Building, Room 105 (310-825-7627) and is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Reporting bias, sexual harassment/violence, or labor concerns
When someone alleges discrimination by faculty, staff, or students, it is the University’s ethical and legal responsibility to conduct a thorough, independent, and objective investigation. The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion plays a crucial role in those investigations. Review the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion’s guidelines for reporting bias on campus.
Contact the Title IX/Sexual Harassment office to report an incident of sexual violence or sexual harassment.
If you have problems, questions, or concerns regarding your work or labor issues, contact UAW Local 2865-Los Angeles Office, 510-549-3863.
In addition to the many resources that the TA training program provides, our campus partners also offer specialized services.
Support for teaching
Grading and Assessment Resources
Technology Resources
For questions about adding or dropping a course, changing a credit detail, or withdrawing from the university, students should visit their assigned academic counseling unit.
College Counselling
The majority of undergraduates in the College of Letters & Science are assigned to the College Academic Counseling office, located in A316 Murphy Hall.
See your individual department to find your departmental advisor.
Academic Advancement Program (AAP)
Students are eligible to be in the Academic Advancement Program (AAP) if their academic profiles and personal backgrounds may impact their university experience and their retention and graduation, or if they are part of any federally funded program that requires counseling, peer learning, or mentoring.
Honors Program
Students in the Honors Programs must complete honors coursework and maintain a specifc GPA. They need to submit petitions and meet with Honors Counselors. Students must apply to join the Honors Programs.
Student Athletics
Student-athletes have unique requirements to meet NCAA academic eligibility rules. They need to meet with specific counselors assigned to them by the university.
Financial Aid office
The Financial Aid Office administers undergraduate scholarships and all graduate and undergraduate financial aid that is based on financial need. It also manages awards, scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans.
Scholarship Resource Center
The Scholarship Resource Center provides scholarship information, resources, and support services to undergraduates regardless of financial aid eligibility.
We have highlighted a few key tutoring resources on campus. Be sure to visit this link for a comprehensive list of Tutorial Services in the College of Letters and Science.
AAP Peer Learning Sessions
AAP Peer learning sessions are led by trained peer learning facilitators in a majority of core courses. Student must be an AAP student to sign up for these sessions.
History Writing Center
The History Writing Center offers writing services for undergraduates currently enrolled in History courses.
Inquiry Space at Powell Library
The Inquiry Space at Powell Library offers research consultation for assignments across disciplines at Powell Library. Provides help with finding, organizing, and citing research sources.
Library Research Workshops
The Library Research Workshops offers workshops for undergraduate and graduate students to assist in the research process.
Life Sciences Core Peer Learning Center
The Life Sciences Core Peer Learning Center offers weekly group learning assistance with select lower-division Life Sciences courses.
Student Math Center
The Student Math Center offers group study and tutorials for lower-division math courses.
Student Retention Center
The Student Retention Center is a collective effort of students from historically underserved communities. The projects and services within the SRC are designed to assist undergraduate students with academic difficulties and cultural and social transitions.
Tau Beta Pi Tutoring Program for STEM support
The Tau Beta Pi Tutoring Program offers engineering and non-engineering students assistance in a range of subjects, including physics, chemistry, calculus, and computer science.
Undergraduate Writing Center
The Undergraduate Writing Center provides one-on-one sessions with peer learning facilitators to support students with writing assignments and projects.
Writing Success Program
Writing Success Program of the Student Retention Center, supports students at any point of the writing process to develop their critical-thinking and writing skills.
Bruin Resource Center
The Bruin Resource Center provides services open to all students, with a particular focus on current or former foster youth, students with dependents, students in recovery, student veterans, transfer students, and undocumented students.
Center for Accessible Education
The Center for Accessible Education facilitates academic accommodations for students with disabilities.
Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion provides support services and resources to build an equal learning and working environment.
LGBT Campus Resource Center
The LGBT Campus Resource Center provides education and advocacy services and fosters an inclusive environment for UCLA’s LGBTQIA community.
Title IX/Sexual Harassment Prevention Office
The Title IX/Sexual Harassment Prevention Office takes reports of gender discrimination. Provides advice regarding rights and responsibilities under Title IX, as well as policies and procedures.
Consultation and Response Team (CRT)
Consultation and Response Team (CRT) in Case Management Services provides support for students in distress by developing a plan of care.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides individual, group, and emergency counseling, as well as psycho-educational workshops and programs.
Dean of Students Office
The Office of the Dean of Students responds to reports of incidents of bias and issues concerning the student code of conduct.
Economic Crisis Response
Economic Crisis Response provides individualized responses to students in extraordinary financial crisis.
Title IX/Sexual Harassment Prevention
Title IX/Sexual Harassment Prevention takes reports of gender discrimination. Provides advice regarding rights and responsibilities under Title IX, as well as policies and procedures.
Created through Student Affairs, this Guide for Graduate and Undergraduate Students provides information on health and safety, campus life, the nature of instruction, and more to help students envision and prepare for the year ahead. Bookmark it and check it regularly.