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Instructional Assistants

Recruiting and Working with Instructional Assistants

Instructional Assistant (IAs) positions, assigned to successful applicants in Master’s students and College of IST Integrated Undergraduate Graduate (IUG) programs, are hourly positions created to support teaching and learning. IAs are assigned to one or more sections of courses. They assist both the students who are enrolled and the instructors who teach. They are an integral addition to the teaching team. While they may be assigned many of the same responsibilities that TAs are assigned, the position is not considered as preparation for a future academic position. Rather, it functions more like the Learning Assistant (LA) position for superior undergraduate students. As such, IAs are compensated with an hourly wage. Instructors should meet with their IAs at the beginning of each semester to sign the Assistant-Instructor Agreement Form, which outlines the responsibilities of both the IA and the Instructor.

IA Recruiting

IA assignments work best when master’s students are invited by an instructor to apply.

IAs must meet the following requirements:

  • Making good academic progress
  • In good standing in the College of IST (i.e., no notes on file that would keep them from being placed)
  • Passing score on AEOCPT for international students.

To help with IA recruitment and ensure that all instructors have adequate support for their classes, please consider taking the following actions:

  1. Talk with Master’s students in your lab, in your graduate courses, or elsewhere.
  2. Encourage international students to schedule AEOCPT at the first opportunity (the test occurs three times a year, in January, May, and August).
  3. Share the Teaching Assistant & Instructional Assistant webpage: https://ist.psu.edu/learning/ta-ia
  4. Invite all interested Master’s students to fill out this Interest Form.
  5. If you identify master's students interested in working in your classes, please encourage them to fill out the IA Interest Form and indicate on the form that they have an agreement with you. Interest forms open for the Fall semester in late March, and open for the Spring semester in late October.

If you have any questions, email learning@ist.psu.edu.