TA Hiring Process

The Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Teaching Assistant Appointment Guidelines

  1. The Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics offer graduate courses under the SPH rubric. These courses range from 400-600 level major and integrated courses. New TAs are identified from the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and/or the School of Public Health (SPH) graduate students (i.e., MPH, MS, MS (HA), or PhD students) via the application process outlined below.
  2. The typical EPI/BIO course offerings and their associated TA appointments are listed in the following document: Typical EPI/BIO TA Appointments.
    1. Course Job Description
  3. To apply for a TA appointment, applicants must upload the following documents in one file labeled with the applicant’s name (Last Name_First Name_Term_TA Materials). PDF format is preferred. Please make sure all materials uploaded are labeled with the applicant’s name.
    1. Epidemiology and Biostatistics Application
    2. Resume or CV
    3. Academic Writing Sample (e.g., a previous paper written for a course) – Optional.

    Spring 2025 TA application deadline is November 17th, 2024

  4. Documents should be uploaded here
  5. TAs in EPI/BIO courses provide additional educational/instructional support resources to enrolled students. TAs in EPI/BIO and SPH courses do not serve as instructors of record and are not responsible for syllabi development. The typical TA duties for EPI/BIO courses involve:
    • Attending class
    • Establish office hours (3 hours per week) – for a set time each week and also by appointment.
    • Blackboard (Bb) preparation: TA will be responsible for checking content to update dates, instructions, and open assignments and release answer keys.
    • Manage Bb discussion board: TAs will work together to monitor Discussion Board to respond to questions within 24 hours.
    • Provide one or two lectures on subject matter such as key terminology.
    • Assist with communication to guest lecturers including providing link to online class.
    • Grade homework assignments, including the development of grading schedules.
    • Grade exams
      • Asist in proctoring exams
      • Post grades to the gradebook on the Bb
  6.  It is recommended that all TAs and course instructors meet before the start of the semester to discuss specific TA expectations for their particular courses. All TAs should have the expectation that their role involves contact with students, which may be in-person and/or virtual. Please note that the majority of EPI/ BIO classes are offered in an on-campus/in-person format and these classes are held on the east side of UIC’s campus.
  7. Summer EPI/BIO TA appointments are very limited and are dependent upon EPI/BIO courses meeting minimum enrollment requirements.
  8. All First time Teaching Assistance must attend “New TA Orientation”
  9. According to both Illinois state law (110 ILCS 305/7c) and UIC policy, all non-native English-speaking Teaching Assistants must be certified as proficient in spoken English before being given instructional responsibilities. Oral English proficiency testing will be conduct during the hiring process. For information on the procedure, see the International Teaching Assistant Program’s website: https://ita.grad.uic.edu/oral-english-proficiency-testing.

Additional Information Heading link

Factors Which May Enhance Eligibility for Appointments

The following factors are considered in Teaching Assistant appointments within the Epidemiology and Biostatistics  Programs. Please note that these factors are listed in no particular order.

Academic record: Students not in good academic standing will have lowest priority for receiving a TA appointment.

Master’s vs. PhD students: MPH, MS, MHA, or PhD students in the School of Public Health are prioritized over students from other colleges. Further priority for appointments will be given to students with an undergraduate background in public health (i.e., earned BA or BS in Public Health).

Initial year vs. continuing students: Depending on the nature of the course and current TA composition, instructors may prioritize first-year students or continuing students.

Previous teaching assistant experience for a specific course vs. need for professional development: In evaluating TA applicants, previous experience is considered. Students who successfully served as TAs for EPI/BIO courses in the past are prioritized for appointments.

Previous general teaching and professional experience, within or outside the university: In evaluating TA applicants, previous experience is considered. Students who successfully served as TAs in the past or have other relevant experience are prioritized for appointments.

Weight and relevance of previous job performance as a TA: Students who fail to complete their TA responsibilities (e.g., incomplete grading, lack of expected attendance, lack of communication with students/instructor, unprofessional behavior, etc.), will have lowest priority for future TA appointments.

Letters of recommendation: Letters of recommendation are not considered when making TA appointments.

The academic mission of the program: All TAs are expected to support the carefully planned curriculum infrastructure and provide an inclusive and affirming environment for graduate learning.

Assistantship Tuition and Service Fee Waiver

To receive a tuition and service fee waiver students must meet the following conditions:

  1. The assistantship must be between 25-67% time.
  2. Students must be degree seeking (non-degree students are NOT eligible).
  3. Students must hold an assistantship for 91 calendar days (41 calendar days during summer term). The days are defined as including the week before instruction begins through the last day of final exams.
  4. Students must meet and maintain Graduate College registration requirements. Students must register for minimum of 8 hours during the fall and spring semester and 3 hours in the summer term. International students are required to register for a greater number of hours if their appointment is less than 50%.
  5. Students must be in good academic standing.
  6. Students must have a permanent social security number.
  7. Students must successfully meet the requirements of the assistantship.

Tuition and service fee waivers do NOT cover the cost of any tuition differential.

Additional Information About Assistantships & TA Resources

For additional resources, please visit the following:

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