Teaching experience can be obtained by becoming an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA). TAs work under the supervision of a faculty or graduate student instructor to learn about college-level psychology teaching. Each undergraduate TA experience is unique and tailored to the student’s skills and knowledge and the instructor’s needs. Independent of the particular course or instructor, TAs will benefit intellectually by developing their communication and leadership skills and by gaining a better understanding of how people learn.
PSY 4940: Teaching Assistant
College-level teaching experience in psychology as an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA). Each assistantship is unique and tailored to the student’s skills and knowledge and the instructor’s needs. Responsibilities may include facilitating discussion groups or study sessions, reviewing written assignments, providing evaluative feedback, and responding to student questions and inquiries.
- Prerequisite: Instructor permission and completion of the course for which the student will serve as a teaching assistant.
- Must have previously completed and earned an above-average grade in the course for which they will serve as a TA.
- Students must be supervised by either a faculty member or a graduate student instructor.
- Credits Per Semester: 0-3
- Maximum Enrollment: 4 credits
- Grading Scheme: S/U
- Enrollment Form: PSY4940 Teaching Assistant Enrollment Form
Across all IW classes (PSY4905, PSY 4911, PSY4970, PSY4940, and PSY4949), a maximum total of 9 credits can be taken, and these 9 credits can count toward the 36 PSY credits required for the major. You cannot exceed 9 credits of IW under any circumstances. More information can be found on our Hands-On Experiences page.
Note: IW courses cannot satisfy the 4k electives. These credits can only apply to the 3k additional psych electives requirement.
Additional Information on UF policies can be found here.
Enrollment Requirements
To enroll in PSY 4940, please complete the steps below:
- Get approval from an instructor to be a TA.
- Complete Step 1 on PSY 4940: Introduction to Teaching in Psychology registration form.
- Complete BOTH UF Trainings:
- PRV802: FERPA Training * Must be updated annually.
- GET803: Maintaining a Safe and Respectful Campus *Must be updated every two years.
Note: Training documents MUST reflect your name, completed training, date, and score earned. Students can submit their training transcript.
- Print/ send the PSY4940 registration form and proof of training to obtain your instructor’s signature.
- Note: If you plan to work primarily with a graduate student as your instructor, you must also obtain a signature from the graduate student’s faculty supervisor.
Once signed, send documents to psych-advising@ufl.edu. Hard copies will not be accepted. An advisor will register you for the course. At the end of the semester, the instructor will assign you an S or U grade based on the hours you completed and the satisfactory nature of your work as a TA.
Please be aware: As part of the IW policy, students can enroll in 0-3 credits of PSY4940 with a maximum of 4 credits allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I become a Teaching Assistant?Here are some helpful tips for becoming an undergraduate teaching assistant (UTA) in the psychology department!
- Identify Course: Consider the courses you’ve excelled in and would be interested in assisting with. UTAs are usually selected for introductory courses like General Psychology and upper-level courses that align with your strengths.
- Build Rapport with Instructors: Cultivating a good relationship with your instructors can be crucial. Participate actively in class, attend office hours, and demonstrate interest in the subject. Building rapport makes it easier to approach instructors when seeking UTA positions.
- Express Interest: Contact the course instructor you’re interested in assisting with. Express your interest, share your qualifications, and ask if they have available UTA positions.
- Application Process: If the instructor is interested, they may ask you to submit formal information.
Visit the Department of Psychology Faculty page for contact information.
This should be discussed with the instructor for whom you are a TA. Review your degree audit to see how many credits of IW you have taken and how many credits you have left in the additional psych electives. Students must work 45 hours for each credit they are enrolled in during the semester.
If you want to confirm your eligibility, please email psych-advising@ufl.edu for assistance.
No, these credits can only apply to the 3000-level additional psych electives. The credits will not apply to a psychology major if you have completed the additional psych electives area.
Yes, you can enroll in 0 credits of PSY 4940. This will still reflect on your transcript; no course fee is associated.
To avoid a non-refundable late fee of $100.00, students must register for at least one credit hour in any course before the Drop/Add period starts.
Yes, you must submit individual enrollment requests.
No, we will not retroactively adjust credits once the semester has ended.
This decision is based on when you make a request and the circumstances. Students expressing extenuating circumstances must submit a college and possibly a university petition to request a correction of academic record and/or fee liability. Please see the CLAS Petition website: https://www.advising.ufl.edu/resources/forms/college-petition-form/
Students enrolling for 0 credits without additional coursework are subject to a 1 credit UF fee. This is not a fee Psychology can override.
Please see UF Student Financial Aid & Scholarships for the most up-to-date information. Undergraduate Cost
You should submit your enrollment form before the drop/add deadline to ensure your credits are accurately factored into important considerations like financial aid eligibility and your full-time or part-time status. However, students can still enroll up to the semester’s midpoint, though this may result in being fee-liable for the requested credits. This fee liability cannot be overridden.
If you cannot enroll before the drop/add deadline, it’s crucial to consult with UF Student Financial Aid and Scholarships to understand potential impacts before proceeding.
Please note that psychology advisors are unable to assist with financial matters.