The GTA Committee screens applicants by examining their academic records and a sample of their writing. If the application looks promising, the applicant is invited to campus for an interview with the GTA Committee. International candidates must have in-person interviews with the committee.

The First Year English Program at The University of Texas at Arlington integrates reading, writing, and critical thinking. During the first term, our goal is to prepare our students in the conventions of academic writing; during the second semester, we emphasize argumentative writing. The program involves very little lecturing by the instructor. Most of the work with students occurs in conferences or in small groups in a workshop setting. The emphasis is on working through a series of drafts with each student.

Generally, a graduate teaching assistant (GTA) teaches two courses and takes two or three courses each semester. To hold an assistantship, the graduate student must be admitted unconditionally to the Graduate School, take the minimum number of hours as specified by the Graduate School in each long semester, and be making satisfactory progress toward the degree. GTAs with fewer than 18 graduate credits in English teach in tandem with a senior GTA until the 18 hours are completed. In addition, the GTA must successfully complete 6 credit hours of training that is spread out over the first 10 months of graduate work, and attend a practicum for one hour each week during the first two semesters. The first training course begins at the end of July, during the second summer session. This means that students applying for assistantships should apply for admission for the second summer session rather than the fall semester. The first training course must be completed before the GTA’s first teaching assignment in the fall. Preference is given to students who are available to hold assistantships for both the fall and spring semesters.

For 2007-2008, GTA salaries range from $10,000 (for Master’s students) to $12,500 (for PhD students--$14,375 for PhD students who are ABD) per academic year. Salaries for AY 2008-09 will be announced in the Summer of 2008. The opportunity to teach summer classes exists, but summer support is not guaranteed. Out-of-state GTAs who are taking summer courses are given priority. A benefits package that includes medical, life, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance is also provided. At the present time, half of the cost of these benefits is paid by the state; coverage begins 90 days after the first day of employment. Optional vision and dental insurance is available for a small fee. Both in- and out-of-state GTAs pay in-state tuition. UTA’s tuition is among the lowest in the nation. See the UTA Graduate School website (http://grad.uta.edu/leftMenuPages/admissions.asp) for information about tuition and fees.

The GTA Committee will begin consideration of applications on February 1, 2008. Assistantships are contingent upon prior acceptance to The Graduate School, but we will consider your application while admission is pending. We will continue to review applications until all positions are filled. Please direct all inquiries to Dr. Margaret Lowry, the Director of First Year English, at mlowry@uta.edu or at 817-272-2488.