Master of Arts in Writing: Teaching Experience Program

Overview

Offered by the Master of Arts in Writing, the Teaching Experience Program (TEP) allows students to teach college composition as paid adjunct instructors while completing a Master of Arts in Writing. Students can then earn money at the same rate and on the same biweekly schedule as adjunct instructors, applying this money toward tuition or other expenses. 

This is not remitted tuition but rather a paid position, wherein students may earn money approximately equal to or above tuition and fees. Another important benefit of the program is that students will gain experience teaching on the college level, which is often a requirement for students looking for higher education teaching positions. 

Students accepted into the MA in Writing and TEP will teach at least one class every semester as they take their own classes in creative and professional writing. There is a two-year and a three-year program, so students can complete the 30-credit program relatively quickly or at a slower pace if they wish.

TEP Selection Criteria and Eligibility

Acceptance to the Teaching Experience Program is competitive. The application for the MA and TEP is a two-step process: 

1. Apply for the Master of Arts in Writing program by the Early Decision Deadline, which is February 15, annually. 
2. Once accepted to the MA in Writing program, students wishing to apply for a TEP position must submit an additional application directly to the program with a resume and a one to two page Letter of Intent explaining their interest in teaching and what makes them a good candidate for TEP. The deadline to apply for TEP is March 15, annually. 
3. TEP applicants will be interviewed by the Practicum instructor, Program Coordinator, and First Year Writing Coordinators to determine recipients of TEP positions. These interviews will take place in April and/or May.

Deadlines to apply for TEP, are strict. Contact the Program Coordinator in January or February to request a link to apply.​ 

TEP Additional Requirements

• Students accepted into the Teaching Experience Program will be required to take Teaching Practicum during their first fall semester of teaching, and an additional pedagogy class in the spring. Both courses will count as electives toward the MA in Writing.
• TEP instructors must receive a “B” or above in all of their graduate coursework.
• First year TEP instructors must receive satisfactory student evaluations and teaching observations from both (a) the Practicum instructor and (b) a member of the First Year Writing faculty who will be conducting classroom observations as part of the adjunct review process.
• During the second year, TEP students will be required to complete the adjunct review procedure already in place in the First Year Writing Program.
• Students not meeting these requirements will not be eligible for renewal as TEP instructors.