Graduate Assistantships in ME

1. Full-time mechanical engineering PhD or MSME (Plan A) students.
2. Making satisfactory progress towards their degree.
3. Not already holding a 50% RA position or fellowship equivalent to 50%.
4. Not already enrolled simultaneously in CPT, OPT or GRAD 0999.
5. Not in danger of exceeding the Graduate Program parameters listed below.
   PhD students: No more than 10 semesters (8 semesters post MS) in the program
   MSME students: No more than 4 semesters, with those in their first semester in Plan A with an advisor.
6. Not already been assigned a total of 5 TA positions for the duration of their studies. The DGS can grant exceptions for extenuating circumstances.
7. Able to meet Language Proficiency Requirements for Teaching Assistants. This policy applies to nonnative English speakers who are considered for a teaching assistantship. If you apply for a teaching assistantship, you may be required to take the Spoken English Test for Teaching Assistants (SETTA) to ensure you have met the qualifications for holding a teaching assistantship.
    

The University of Minnesota uses three assessments to determine eligibility for a teaching assistantship for students who are nonnative speakers of English. Results of these assessments are converted into numerical ratings, which determine teaching responsibilities. Nonnative speakers must have an ELP score of 1 or 2 on record with the University to TA in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Even if a TOEFL exam was not required for admission to the University, an ELP score is a requirement of the Teaching Assistant position for nonnative students at the University of Minnesota. 

English Language Proficiency Ratings

Language Proficiency Requirements Policy

Spoken English Test for Teaching Assistants (SETTA)

 International Teaching Assistant Program

1. The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) establishes a preliminary number of TA appointments for each class.
2. Completed TA applications are distributed to course instructors based on which classes the applicant showed interest.
3. Course instructors make recommendations as to who they'd prefer to be a TA for that semester.
4. The DGS takes all course instructor recommendations and determines appointment offers for each class. PhD students are given preference for GA positions.
5. During the offer period, students are contacted by the DGS with offers and asked whether they will accept or reject the appointment.
6. Prospective TAs are sent their appointment contract. The students must sign and return these contracts in order to be officially processed and assigned as a teaching assistant by the University of Minnesota.

Appointment Responsibilities

Tasks for the role of Teaching Assistants may include:

• Development of instruction of courses
• Grading of exams, reports, and/or assigning final grades
• Preparation of examination or class materials
• Organization of course
• Assistance provided to faculty in the teaching or advising of students registered in specific courses
• Supervision or instruction of laboratory class, recitation sections, or intern groups
• Academic administrative duties directly related to administration of a course.

Appointment Commitments

• Once you sign your appointment contract, you are expected to begin work on listed start date list and continue until the end of the appointment. These dates extend beyond the weeks of classes and finals. Not starting on the contracted first day of work or leaving prior to grades are submitted may result in withholding pay for days missed.
   
• Prior to the start of classes for the semester you will:
  • Attend the mandatory TA workshop.
  • For nonnative speakers with an ELP other than 1, you must enroll in GRAD 5105 and stay enrolled while working as a TA or instructor in a class, lab, recitation, discussion online or face to face. Furthermore, it is policy of the Mechanical Engineering Department that you must be enrolled even if you are only grading, tutoring, holding office hours, or proctoring. You can drop the GRAD course upon passing the SETTA.
     
• Prior to the last day of classes for the semester you will:
  1. Complete and report on one TA professional development activity via the TA Canvas page
  2. Complete and report a peer observation via the TA Canvas page
  3. Be evaluated by the students of your course via the Google Form found at z.umn.edu/me-ta-evals

Please see our dedicated TA Frequently Asked Questions page

Ready to submit an application? 

Eligible graduate students interested in becoming a TA must fill out an application form for submission. A new application must be completed every semester.

TA Application Spring '26 Application Period is 11/4 to 11/12/25