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GTA/IA Orientation

All graduate students who will be newly appointed Graduate Teaching or Instructional Assistants (GTA/IAs) are required to participate in the university-wide TA Orientation (TAO) prior to teaching their first semester. TA Orientation is an important part of the University’s Graduate TA/IA Training Program and will help to ensure your success as a TA at USC.

GTA/IA Orientation

All graduate teaching and instructional assistants who have any kind of instructional or teaching assistance responsibilities must participate in Graduate TA/IA Orientation, including GAs or GRAs who assist in any teaching role (this includes grading, online TA/IAs, office hours, lab monitoring, etc., as well as any other GAs who have instructional responsibilities.)  These sessions provide concise, helpful information, resources and guidance on developing your teaching skills as you prepare to teach or assist your professor of record. 

GTA/IA Orientations consist of four parts:

  • Part A is in-person and requires advance registration.
  • Part B is synchronous online (attend online virtually in Zoom) and requires advance registration. 
  • Parts C & D include asynchronous online modules and can be done on your own at any time prior to the start of classes.  
Students can register and participate in the Part A & B components in any order, but must complete all four parts for successful completion of GTA/IA Orientation.


A GTA/IA Orientation Information Sheet will be provided to registrants with more detailed instructions regarding all 4 parts upon registration.

NOTE:  Deadline for Fall 2026 GTA/IA Orientation registration is Monday, July 27.  Advance registration is required for parts A & B. Late registrations cannot be assured of their preferred date choice.

Students must make every effort to attend Parts A and B on the date listed below. GTA/IAs cannot assume their teaching responsibilities without having completed the Orientation. Any student who misses GTA/IA Orientation must contact Michelle Hardee, Program Manager, Graduate Student Development at hardeem@mailbox.sc.edu or 803-777-1975.

Fall 2026 GTA/IA Orientations
 

Modality

Registration

Topics

Part A

In Person
Required

Being a GTA/IA at USC

Part B

Online Synchronous
Required

Concurrent Sessions – Experienced GTA/IA Panels

Part C

Asynchronous Online Modules

No

Policies and Campus Resources

Part D

Asynchronous Online Videos

No

GTA/IA Role Responsibilities

Fall 2026 Orientation Dates and Times
Date Wednesday
August 5		 Thursday
August 6		 Tuesday
August 11		 Wednesday
August 12
Part A
In Person
Advance Registration Required

9 - 12 noon
Location TBD

1:00 - 4:00
Location TBD

9 - 12 noon
Location TBD

1:00 - 4:00
Location TBD
Part B
Online
Advance Registration Required

1:45 - 3:00
In Zoom

9:45 - 11:00
In Zoom

1:45 - 3:00
In Zoom

9:45 - 11:00
In Zoom

Workshop Components Descriptions

Part A

Being a GTA/IA at USC
In Person
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
  • USC policies (grading, attendance, etc.)
  • Pre-semester Checklist for new GTA/IAs, Responsibilities/Expectations of new GTA/IAs
  • Professionalism
  • Interacting with Students, Dealing with Disruptive Behavior
  • Networking / Meet & Greet

Part B

Concurrent Sessions:  Q&A with Experienced GTA/IA Panels from Schools/Colleges
Synchronous Online
REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Online synchronous Q&A panel sessions in which experienced graduate TAs, IAs, and GAs provide guidance, recommendations, tips, etc. for new GTA/IAs and answer any questions they may have. Sessions are divided into general disciplinary groupings:  Humanities, Social Sciences, and STEM/Health Sciences.

Part C

Policies and Campus Resources
Asynchronous Online Modules 

  • Each topic includes 15-20 minute video with quiz and resources – successful completion of all modules required
  • Content links hosted through the TA Orientation Blackboard Organization - access will be available in late July, 2026.
  1. Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  2. Discrimination & Harassment
  3. Student Disability Resource Services
  4. Student Health and Well-Being
  5. Academic Integrity
  6. Student Care Team and Student Conduct
  7. Law Enforcement and Safety
  8. Other Important Campus Resources
  9. Center for Teaching Excellence Resources and GRAD 701 Information
Part D

GTA/IA Roles and Responsibilities
Asynchronous Online Videos
  • Requirements for Part D include watching one video along with completion of the included reflection prompt. Each video (topics listed below) is approximately 15-20 minutes. 
  • Content links hosted through the TA Orientation Blackboard Organization - access will be available in late July, 2026.
  • Graduate Directors, Department Chairs, and Professors of Record may wish to advise their GTA/IAs as to which videos to watch.
Video Topics
  1. Basics of Lesson Planning for Any Kind of Class
  2. Building Community in the First Week of Class
  3. For Experienced Instructors: Teaching Resources, Course Development and Planning Help
  4. Getting Students to Think Critically and Creatively
  5. Grading Strategies and Recommendations
  6. Ideas for Student Engagement and Active Learning
  7. How to Lead a Good Laboratory Section
  8. Leading Good Discussions in Class
  9. TA'ing for Large Classes, F2F and Online
  10. Time Management, Stress Management, and Self-Care

PLEASE NOTE  Regarding your registration, confirmation of registration will be by email within a week of registration submission. If you have any questions or problems, please contact Michelle Hardee, Program Manager , Graduate Student Development at hardeem@mailbox.sc.edu.

Register for Fall 2026 GTA/IA Orientation

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