Teaching Fellows

Psychology Department Graduate Teaching and Advanced Teaching Fellowships

Eligibility:

Open to full-time psychology Ph.D. students who:

  1. have completed a master’s degree or research competency
  2. have been admitted to candidacy (HSP program)
  3. are in good academic standing
  4. are making satisfactory progress in research
  5. have obtained their advisor’s approval, and
  6. are interested in gaining supervised teaching experience

Fellowships are for one academic year. Requests for a one semester fellowship will be considered. An Advanced Teaching Fellowship is offered as a second-year experience to students who excel as fellows. Advanced Teaching Fellows will not enroll in PSYC 796, however they will have the opportunity to teach again, as well as gain skills in supervising and peer mentoring first year teaching fellows. The first year and advanced teaching fellowships are considered full-effort commitment for a full-time graduate student during the period of appointment. Students with existing funding commitments (e.g., an RA) are eligible to apply, but will not be able to hold both the teaching fellowship and another RA or TA appointment. Teaching Fellows may not hold any other teaching position at the same time at UMBC or elsewhere. As well, time allocated to other professional responsibilities should not interfere with fellowship.

 

Mentorship and Training:

Fellows will identify (or be assigned to) a course content mentor who provides consultation on the course coverage, textbooks, typical assignments, and evaluation methods. Fellows will also enroll in PSYC 796 under the direction of Dr. Eileen O’Brien, the teaching fellows mentor. Dr. O’Brien provides guidance, structured learning experiences, and direct observation and feedback to support pedagogical skill development in college teaching.

 

Expectations:

Psychology Department Teaching Fellows will be assigned to teach one 3 or 4 credit course per semester and are expected to complete all relevant work associated with PSYC 796. Fellows in classes that usually have TAs will serve as the instructor and TA. Fellows, particularly Advanced Fellows, are also encouraged to participate (when possible) in faculty development activities, CTLS, etc. to support skill acquisition in instruction and course design. In consultation with the fellow, Dr. O’Brien, the course content mentor, and the fellow’s academic mentor, fellows will usually receive the same course assignments for both semesters to enhance skill development.

 

Compensation and Benefits:

Teaching Fellows will be appointed as Graduate Assistants and receive the following:

  • a stipend at the normal department level for the period of appointment
  • additional support for professional development and research activities, conference travel, books, and/or supplies up to a total of $1000 for a fellowship year ($500 for a 1-semester fellowship)
  • enrollment in the UMBC student health plan
  • up to 6 credits of tuition remission per semester
  • access to summer teaching opportunities (when available)

 

Advanced Teaching Fellows will receive:

  • a stipend at the normal department level for the period of appointment
  • additional support for professional development activities, research activities, conference travel, books, and/or supplies up to a total of $500 for a fellowship year ($250 for a 1-semester fellowship)
  • enrollment in the UMBC student health plan
  • up to 4 credits of tuition remission per semester
  • access to summer teaching opportunities (when available)
  • opportunity to teach elsewhere, if appropriate

 

Student wishing to teach after successfully completing the 1or 2-year Teaching Fellows sequence are welcome to do so at the regular Adjunct rate, except in the rare case where other arrangements are warranted.

 

Selection Criteria:

Preference will be given to applicants who:

  • have career aspirations that involve teaching or wish to explore teaching as a career opportunity
  • have received favorable evaluations in prior TA, RA, and/or GA assignments, plus favorable evaluations in their Teaching Fellowship for Advanced Teaching Fellowship applicants
  • express an interest in teaching a high demand course, including (but not limited to): Introductory Psychology (PSYC 100); The Science and Practice of Psychology (211); Developmental (200); Learning (210); Psychology and Culture (230); Abnormal (285); Community (387); Social (340); Research Methods (311)
  • are endorsed by their faculty advisor
  • have advanced to candidacy (HSP)
  • are within their first 6 years of study in the program

 

Interested in becoming a Teaching Fellow for the 2024-2025 academic year? 

Please complete the google form application by January 2024.