Graduate teaching assistants,
or TAs,
are graduate students
who teach introductory
and intermediate level college courses
in universities.
TAs develop course materials,
lead student discussions
or laboratory work,
and grade papers and tests
for undergraduate,
or bachelor’s level, courses.
For large classes taught by a faculty member,
TAs assist faculty members
with materials and equipment during class,
and in conducting their research.
They also provide feedback to students and,
for very large classes,
act as a bridge
between the professor teaching it,
and the students enrolled.
Graduate teaching assistants hold office hours
for answering students’ questions,
and offer extra help
or tutoring outside of class.
Graduate teaching assistants
must be enrolled in a graduate school program,
and have at least a bachelor’s degree
in the field they teach.
Typically, they have completed
a portion of the coursework
required for a doctoral program.