Students with graduate teaching assistantships in the Department of Kinesiology are assigned to teach physical activity (KIN 100-119), KIN lab courses, and/or selected KIN lecture courses. For a complete list of courses visit the schedule of courses. In most cases, Graduate Teaching Assistantships are reserved for fully-funded KIN PhD students.
Criteria for Awarding Graduate Teaching Assistantships
Physical Activity Courses: Candidates must have: (a) expertise in the selected activity; (b) experience teaching or coaching the selected activity; (c) current certification in first aid; and (d) current certification in CPR. Evidence of expertise might consist of transcripts showing courses completed, a college letter in the selected sport, or nationally/internationally ranked performances in the sport. Experience teaching or coaching the selected activity could be demonstrated by teaching the activity at a public school or health club, coaching a high school or collegiate sports team, or certifications offered by professional organizations.
Additional qualifications for aquatics, conditioning/fitness, and first aid/CPR courses are specified below. In every case, the candidate must present a current certification card.
- Aquatics/swimming courses – current American Red Cross certification in Lifeguard Training, Water Safety Instructor, Water Safety Instructor Trainer, Lifeguarding Instructor, or Lifeguarding Instructor Trainer as appropriate.
- Conditioning/fitness courses – current certification from the American Council on Exercise (ACE), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Aerobics & Fitness Association of America (AFAA), S.T.E.P. Aerobics, or National Strength and Conditioning Association.
- First Aid and Personal Safety – current certification as First Aid Instructor, Responding to Emergencies Instructor, Community CPR Instructor, or CPR for the Professional Rescuer Instructor.
Lab or Lecture Courses: Candidates must have knowledge/expertise in the course content and experience teaching the selected activity. Evidence of knowledge/expertise might consist of transcripts showing courses completed or strong letters of recommendation. Experience teaching the subject matter could be demonstrated by serving as an intern instructor in the course or credentials such as the MSU Certificate in College Teaching.
Award Procedures
In most cases, Graduate Teaching Assistantships are awarded to KIN PhD students identified by the department as full-funding recipients. These students will be receive information directly from the Department of Kinesiology to determine their teaching assignments prior to the start of the semester.
In some cases, students in a KIN MS program may be eligible for partial funding on a case-by-case basis if there is a specific teaching need in the department. Current KIN MS students may reach out to Andrea Childress (childr46@msu.edu) to inquire about potential teaching opportunities.
Graduate Employees Union
Graduate teaching assistants at MSU are represented by the Graduate Employees Union. The current version of the GEU contract is posted here. TAs should read this contract carefully regarding their rights and responsibilities. For more information, go to the Graduate Employees Union web site.
Evaluation of KIN Graduate Teaching Assistants
Graduate teaching assistants are evaluated annually, in alignment with GEU and Department guidance. Evaluations are used to foster instructional growth and to help graduate students build their professional teaching portfolio. There following evaluations can take place:
1. Teaching Observation – This evaluation is for use by IOR’s and TA’s in order to set up an observation of authentic teaching. To start the evaluation process through a teaching observation, the TA or Instructor of Record (IOR) need to set up a day/time for observation of the course in mention. Once a mutually agreeable evaluation day/time has been determined, the IOR uses the forms below for evaluation. Once the evaluation is complete, the IOR and TA meet to discuss the evaluation and submit the form to the KIN Office (attn: Andrea Childress).
2. Teaching Assistant Evaluation – This evaluation is for use by the Instructor of Record for either teaching assistants that have no teaching assigned or for experienced teaching assistants (TA’s) for which no teaching observation was made.
Directions: To start the evaluation process for this form, the Instructor of Record (IOR) sets up a meeting with the TA to discuss what the TA is doing well, areas for improvement, and providing suggestions for future reference. After this discussion, the IOR submits the TA/RA Evaluation Form. After completion of this form, a copy will be sent to the IOR, TA, and academic advisor (if applicable).
3. The Student Perceptions of Learning Survey – MSU uses the Student Perceptions of Learning Survey (SPLS) to support high-quality instruction by providing (1) instructors and academic programs with data about student perceptions related to instructional practices to support course improvement in MSU’s teaching and learning environments; (2) instructional supervisors with one source of information for consideration in personnel decisions such as retention, promotion, salary, and tenure in recognition that effective teaching constitutes an important criterion in evaluating personnel; and (3) students with information to guide decision-making related to course selection. More details about SPLS can be found here.