ASSISTANTSHIPS

The Department of Applied Communication Studies has a number of graduate teaching assistantships to support students each year.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship Application

In order to apply for a graduate teaching assistantship, a person must have applied for admission the SIUE Graduate School AND the Master's Program in Applied Communication Studies. In order to be considered for such a position, the student must be accepted into the Graduate School AND the Graduate Program in Applied Communication Studies.

To apply for an assistantship:

• Complete the Graduate Teaching Assistant Application Form and submit it to the Basic Course Director by March 1 at noon.
• Submit two professional and/or academic references that can speak to the applicant’s ability/aptitude for teaching. Please have these two people submit the Graduate Teaching Assistant Recommendation Form. They may also submit an additional letter if they would like (although this is not a requirement). Reference materials need to be received by March 1 to be considered. The recommendation form and letters can be sent to:

Basic Course Director
Department of Applied Communication Studies; Box 1772
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL 62026

• Complete an interview with the Basic Course Director between February 1 and March 15. The Basic Course Director will schedule an interview with the applicants after teaching assistantship application materials have been received. Interviews will last approximately 30 minutes.

Note: Current graduate assistants may reapply for an assistantship, although they are not guaranteed a position. Positions are competitive each year. Returning TAs will need to complete the Returning Teaching Assistantship Application Form.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship Requirements

To hold an assistantship, a graduate student must:

• attend and successfully complete TA training sessions held in May and in the summer
• attend the mandatory Graduate School orientation in August
• enroll in SPC 560 in the first fall semester

Graduate Teaching Assistantship Duties

Teaching Assistants (TAs) typically teach two sections of the basic courses (either ACS 101 Public Speaking or ACS 103 Interpersonal Communication Skills, as assigned by the Basic Course Director.

About the Courses: Public Speaking is designed to teach students how to be more effective public speakers. Topics include researching topics, audience analysis, organizing and outlining ideas, as well as effective delivery techniques for informative and persuasive speaking situations.

Interpersonal Communication Skills is designed to teach students the importance of communication in everyday lives and relationships and to provide them with interpersonal communication skills that may enhance their relationships. This course covers topics such as: self-concept, perception, verbal and nonverbal communication messages, relationship development and deterioration, conflict, and relationships with family, romantic partners, friends, and coworkers among many other topics.

Teaching assistants in the Department of Applied Communication Studies have autonomous responsibilities (under supervision of the Basic Course Director) for structuring and teaching their courses. Teaching assistants design a syllabus based on instruction from the Basic Course Director, create their own lectures, activities, exams, and fulfill all grading and administrative duties related to the course. Teaching assistants receive training and mentoring to help them succeed in teaching at the college level.

Graduate Assistant Application Form	PDF |	WORD
Returning Graduate Assistant Application Form	PDF |	WORD
Graduate Teaching Assistant Recommendation Form	PDF |	WORD
Permission Form for Reference Letters	PDF |	WORD