All new Teaching Assistants are required to participate in our TA Training Program, which will help you understand the details and the importance of your role as a teaching assistant. All new teaching assistants must attend the TA Training, regardless of prior teaching experience or previous attendance at Rensselaer.

Course Number (Spring 2024)
92049 ADMN-6800-01

When
In person: TBD

Online: Learning Management System (LMS). LMS will remain open until January 19, 2024.

Registration
You will register for the course at https://sis.rpi.edu/, there is no cost to register or attend. 

TA Training is for new TAs (graduate students who have never been a TA at Rensselaer) who have received an award/appointment letter from their department. Do not register or join the online course unless you have received a letter from your department. Previous experience at another university does not waive the required training at Rensselaer. 

Grading
The TA Training course will appear on your transcript as a zero-credit required course and receive a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade. To earn an “S” grade you must attend the half-day training and complete the required assignments on the Learning Management System (LMS). All components must be completed by the deadline. If this criterion is not met, you will receive a “U” grade and your appointment may be in jeopardy.

English Language Requirement for International Student TAs. Spring 2024 Semester:  
New TAs who are international students may be required to complete COMM 1960: Effective Communication for Class Pedagogy, which is a language skill building course. Screening will be based on standard testing scores (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo) or a Webex interview.  Students who are required to take the course will be notified via email and asked to register for the course. There is a course fee or approximately $100 for software use.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Graduate Education at: graduate@rpi.edu.

Course Outline

In person meeting: 

TBD

Online Component:

1. Review the the TA Handbook
2. Watch classroom relevant videos and complete the required assignment
3. Complete Graduate Student Diversity and Inclusion Percipio Modules  
   1. Understanding and Overcoming Unconscious Bias 
   2. Acting with Diplomacy and Tact