Learning Assistant Program for Students
Learning Assistants (LAs) are students who act as peer-instructors in the lecture hall or lab environment. They are typically students who had performed well in the class before and are willing to put in the effort and training to become a facilitator for student learning in the classroom. LAs are similar to tutors and Teaching Assistants, though they primarily help other students during in-class activities. Note that LAs do NOT teach courses.
Duties of a Learning Assistant
A Learning Assistant is a paid on-campus job. LAs typically assist the instructor in helping students learning experience. This can involve promoting classroom discussion, helping students with in-class activities, etc. Being an LA typically requires the LA do the following:
- LAs are typically expected to arrive early for the class they assist in or work ahead of time to set up a lab. They are expected to remain for the entire class time, assisting as needed.
- Typically, LAs meet once a week outside of class with the instructor to prepare for the next week's activities and to review the previous week's activities, evaluating what works and what doesn't.
- New LAs are required* to take the 1-credit Learning Assistant Training Seminar (BIOL 389 or XXX 389 equivalent). As motivation to take the course, LAs who take or have taken the course earn an extra $1 to their hourly wage.
- *Exceptions, such as scheduling or credit conflicts, will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Benefits of being a Learning Assistant
In addition to getting paid, there are some other benefits of being an LA:
- LAs learn the material better: If you are interested in a career in a given discipline, being an LA can offer you a way to build up your understanding of the discipline.
- LAs are collaborators: LAs work with instructors to improve the education of the students in the course. This means LAs work as collaborators and faculty get to know them well. This can be very useful is you need letters of recommendation for a job or graduate school.
- LAs get practical educational experience: LAs get hands-on experience in the classroom and if you are interested in either a teaching position after college or a teaching assistant position in graduate school, being an LA gives you some practical experience in trying to help students learn.
Applying to be a Learning Assistant
If you are interested in applying to be LAs for next semester, please use the web form.
How much are Learning Assistants paid?
LAs are paid by the department that is using them, e.g. a student serving as an LA for a Biology course is paid by the Biosciences department, a student serving as an LA for a Math course is paid by the Mathematics department, etc.
Most LAs work anywhere from 5 - 10 hours per week and can earn a salary ranging from $970 - $2500 per semester. The following payment chart can be used to determine wages and salaries for LAs.
- LAs can earn between $13 - $17 per hour.
- New LAs earn a base wage of $13.00 per hour.
- LAs who have taken the LA Training Seminar earn an extra $1.00 per hour.
- A $0.50 per hour raise is given for each additional semester an LA participates in the program.
- SOME departments may optionally offer a $1.00 - $2.00 raise for LAs who assist with certain courses that are in particular need of LAs.
- LAs can earn an additional $1.00 for helping with courses “in need” of LAs.
OR - An additional $2.00 for helping with courses in “HIGH need” of LAs.
- Definitions for “in need” or “HIGH need” are unique to each department:
- e.g. Some departments may want to incentivize LAs to help with large entry level courses.
- Other departments may want to incentivize experienced LAs to help with upper-level courses.
- NOT all departments implement this type of raise.
- LAs can earn an additional $1.00 for helping with courses “in need” of LAs.