Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Experience 1970

Introduction

This course (PSY 1970) involves student participation as an undergraduate teaching assistant (UTA) for a psychology course under the supervision of a faculty member. Consent from a supervising faculty member in the psychology department and a permission number from a psychology advisor are required before registering for this course.

DSAS has published guidelines for the TA experience with suggested teaching-related activities, obligations for faculty, requirements if TAs grade etc. These guidelines are relevant for both faculty and student TAs.

PSY 1970 does NOT fulfill a Psychology major course requirement but will count as elective credit toward the 120 credits required for an Arts & Sciences undergraduate degree.

The School of Arts and Sciences allows a maximum of 24 credits of undergraduate teaching, directed reading, directed research, and internships among the 120 credits required for a degree.

Prerequisites

• PSY GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
• 12 credits of psychology (including current term)
• Previous completion of psychology course chosen for TA experience (or proficiency in subject area of course, subject to faculty supervisor approval)
• Any additional requirements as per faculty supervisor

Registering for PSY 1970

1. Review the next term schedule in Peoplesoft when it launches.
2. Identify a psychology faculty member and course you would like to request to become a UTA for in PSY 1970. Traditionally, lower level PSY classes offer opportunities to UTA.
3. Contact the faculty member regarding the possibility of becoming a UTA for this class and arrange for a meeting.
4. If accepted, the student and faculty member complete the learning agreement.
5. Email the completed learning agreement AND your academic advisement report found via your Student Center to psyadvis@pitt.edu. The permission code for self-enrollment in PSY 1970 will then be provided to you via email.
6. Use the permission number to self-enroll in PSY 1970 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant.
7. In order to earn credit, you are required to submit mid-term and end-of-term paper as well as mid-term and end-of-term evaluations as the academic component to complete your teaching assistant experience. All forms are available on Canvas once the term begins. See below for guidelines about the paper.

Completing PSY 1970 - Paper Format and Guidelines

In order to earn credit, the student MUST complete two reflective papers (one due at midterm and one at the end-of-term). These papers must be submitted to the Canvas site by the published due date, and are expected to be upper level quality. 

As an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA), you have gained valuable skills that extend beyond the classroom and are highly transferable to future academic, professional, and personal contexts. This reflection assignment is designed to help you identify these skills, provide concrete examples of when you demonstrated then, and consider how they will benefit you in future opportunities. 

The following are a few important guidelines to help you construct your papers:

Cover Page

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Term registered and date
• Course title and faculty supervisor’s name

Reflection Assignment Instructions

Please write a 2-3 page reflection (double-spaced) that addresses the following prompts:

• Identify at least three transferrable skills you have developed or strengthened during your time as a UTA.
• For, each skill, provide at least one concrete example of when you demonstrated or practiced this skills.
• Explain how these skills would be applied in future academic settings (e.g., workplace), or personal contexts.
• Reflect on which skill you feel most confident about and which skill you would like to continue developing and explain why.

Your reflection will not only help you recognize the value of your UTA experience but will also provide language you can use in resumes, cover letters, and interviews to descript your skills to future employers or programs. 

Common Transferable Skills Gained as a UTA

• Communication (explaining concepts clearly, answering student questions, writing emails)

• Collaboration and Teamwork (working with faculty, graduate TAs, and peers)

• Leadership (guiding discussion, mentoring students, being a role model)

• Time Management (balancing UTA responsibilities with your own coursework)'

• Organization (tracking assignments, grading, planning review sessions)

• Problem-Solving (adapting to unexpected challenges, responding to student concerns)

• Professionalism (maintaining appropriate boundaries, handling confidential information)

• Adaptability (adjusting to faculty expectations, course changes, or student needs)

• Critical Thinking (evaluating student work, identifying gaps in understanding)

• Public Speaking and Presentation Skills (leading gaps in understanding)

• Public Speaking and Presentation Skills (leading discussions, review sessions, or demonstrations)

• Interpersonal Skills (building rapport with students, fostering a supportive learning environment)

• Technical/Administrative Skills (using LMS platforms, grading tools, or classroom technology)

How will you know if your paper is acceptable? Once you turn in your paper at both the mid-term and end-of-term, you will be notified through your Pitt email address if the paper is unacceptable and comments on how it needs to be improved. If you do not receive an email, the paper was acceptable. If papers are not completed to standards, you will be asked to REDO the paper or receive an “NC” (no credit) for your PSY 1970 credits. Any AI generated materials will automatically receive a 0 on the assignment and a NC for the class.