CENTER FOR SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

Learning Assistants (LAs) are undergraduate peer facilitators who support student learning and evidence-based instructional practices. LAs are specifically trained to facilitate small-group student discussion and are focused on supporting students, rather than instructors.

LAs are offered between 5-10 hrs/week depending upon the needs of the course they support.  LAs are paid a stipend amount based on $13 per hour. LAs also:

• • • Participate as members of an instructional team in courses which actively engage learners
    • Facilitate students in small-group discussion during class time
    • Focus on supporting learners, rather than instructors (ex: LAs do not grade, but do plan questioning strategies to guide students through assignments)
    • Meet with their instructional team (instructor, TAs, LAs) weekly
    • Receive training in pedagogical theory and strategy as students in SCI 5050 – The Science of Learning (1-credit hour)

Specific LA roles vary by course. Ideally, at least 50% of LAs’ hired time will be spent facilitating student learning during required class time. New LAs will also spend an hour each week in a pedagogy course (SCI 5050). Roles for LAs are subject to change. In 2021-2022, LAs fulfilled the following types of roles:

• • • Lecture (supporting students during lecture in breakout groups, Zoom chat, etc.)
    • Lab (supporting students working on lab tasks in small groups)
    • Discussion section (supporting students working in small groups; generally a required course component)
    • Online facilitation (facilitating student interactions, such as on an online discussion board; generally an optional course component)
    • Mentor hours (supporting students based on needs; offering technical support, directing students to resources, reaching out to unengaged students)
    • Small group study (being available during a specified time for students to drop in for help; generally an optional course component and may include study hall, review session, etc.)
    • Grading (on a limited basis)

For additional information about the LA program, click here.

• Generally speaking, LAs need to have previously taken the course for which they serve as an LA (or they have completed an approved equivalent)
• Students may serve as an LA for a course that they have not previously taken IF they do not intend to take that course in the future, and IF the instructor grants approval.
• Students may NOT serve as an LA for a course that they are taking concurrently, even if there are different instructors involved.
• Summer LA positions are ONLY available to returning LAs. LAs must be matriculated (degree-seeking) U of U undergraduates, but they do NOT need to be enrolled in Summer courses. They DO need to be enrolled for the following fall semester.
• Fall/Spring LAs must be matriculated (degree-seeking) U of U undergraduates who are enrolled in courses (taking 3 credits or more).
• Post-baccalaureate students who are NOT enrolled in a graduate program may be considered for LA positions that receive relatively few applicants (e.g. some upper level courses), although currently matriculated/enrolled U of U undergraduates will receive priority consideration.

Questions? Please reach out to la@csme.utah.edu.

Fall and Spring LA positions are open to new and returning LAs. Summer positions are only open to returning LAs. 

The spring 2023 semester student application will be open October 27, 2022 – November 10, 2022.

We anticipate LAs for the spring 2023 semester are being hired for the following departments:

• BIOLOGY
• CHEMISTRY
• MATH
• PHYSICS

 Once the student application link is available, it will be posted here.

Before applying, please review program information at csme.utah.edu/la.

Applicants should prepare to complete the application. It takes time to complete, and asks for the following information:

• • • Contact information
    • Major, GPA, anticipated graduation date
    • Evidence of previous courses taken – DARS Report (find a video here about how to get a DARS report)
    • A written explanation of your interest in being an LA (< 300 words)
    • A written statement about your relevant experience (< 300 words)
    • A written statement about your experience working with diverse audiences (< 300 words)
    • Schedule availability, including your spring 2023 class schedule
    • Commitment to enroll in the FREE, 1-credit hour pedagogy course: SCI 5050: The Science of Learning (only for new LAs)
    • Commitment to complete program orientation (for all LAs).
  • • Recommendations are OPTIONAL FOR ALL APPLICANTS. We strongly suggest that you give the faculty/instructor who is completing the form as much advance notice as possible. See below for additional information:
      • • • Recommenders may be from the University of Utah, or any institution where you have been recently enrolled.
          • Please note that recommendations are handled only via the recommendation form; NO SEPARATE RECOMMENDATION LETTERS ARE ACCEPTED
          • Recommendation submissions are due at the same time as applications
          • When asking a faculty member/instructor to complete a recommendation form, students should send the recommender a completed FERPA release form along with a link to the recommendation form.