UNDERGRADUATE INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS are advanced students who assist in the instruction of a Communication course under the supervision of the course instructor. Depending on who their supervising instructor is UIAs may help design the course, deliver lectures, and grade assignments. Being a UIA helps you demonstrate your ability to act in a leadership role while you learn to supervise others.

The experience of being a UIA is very helpful for students who want to get a teaching assistantship when they go to graduate school, as well as for students who anticipate being in professional situations where they will instruct others. To become a UIA you must find a professor who is willing to be your supervising instructor. Then contact the department chair to get the application information needed to receive department approval to be a UIA. If you receive such approval you must also enroll in SC 495: Field Experience, under the supervising instructor's name.

Download the Undergraduate Instructional Assistant contract here.