Teaching Opportunities for Graduate Students

Students interested in pursuing a career in academia or teaching have many opportunities at the departmental level to practice and expand their skills as teaching assistants. Additionally, students may pursue the following opportunities to further their pedagogical skills:

Graduate Institute for Teaching (GIFT) 

The Graduate Institute for Teaching (GIFT), run out of the GSAS Office, is a two-phase program held each summer that is designed to prepare GSAS doctoral students for an academic career in teaching at the university level. 

Writing Consultants and Academic Mentors

The StAAR Center (Student Accessibility and Academic Resource) at Tufts hires graduate students to work as Writing Consultants and Academic Mentors. Writing consultants work one-on-one with undergraduate and graduate students on a wide variety of academic writing projects in all disciplines, including papers for coursework, personal statements, senior honors theses, and graduate theses and dissertations. Academic Mentors provide workshops and coach undergraduate and graduate students in a wide variety of academic skills, including time management, studying and note-taking strategies, and more.

Osher Scholars

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Tufts offers graduate students the opportunity to design and teach courses to "third agers." In the past, Osher scholars have taught courses in Chicano art, Indian classical movement, e-learning, creative writing, and environmental sustainability.

Experimental College

The Experimental College (ExCollege) at Tufts serves as a major focal point for educational innovation, expansion of the undergraduate curriculum, and faculty/student collaboration within Arts, Sciences, and Engineering. The ExCollege seeks visiting lecturers each semester to teach small, participation- and discussion-based courses that engage Tufts undergraduates in an exploration of ideas shaping the world today. Experienced graduate students are welcome to apply.

Graduate Engineering Teaching Training (GETT)

The Graduate Engineering Teaching Training (GETT) program is not currently being offered. We suggest graduate students consider the Finding Your Voice in Science Communication special topics course as an alternative to enhance their technical communication skills. An abridged version of GETT is offered during RA/TA training to all matriculating PhD students. Should a student feel they need a refresher, they are always welcome to join in those sessions led by Dr. Meredith Portsmore.