Autumn 2026 Application

Autumn 2026 TA and Grader Applications are NOW OPEN! CLOSED. 

Deadline: July 1st, 2026 by 5:00PM Pacific Standard Time

Click the button below to apply.

FAQs

Why should I TA?

Hear from the previous TAs here: TA Spotlights!

What classes might need a TA?

The ECE department employs approximately 70 students each quarter as Teaching Assistants (TAs). Information about offered courses and current instructors can be found in UW Time Schedule (link to AUT26) and Syllabi for daytime courses, and PCE Time Schedule for ECE PMP courses (link to EE AUT26 and link to EEP AUT26). Note that TA assignments are dependent on enrollment, so not all classes will be assigned a TA.

We want to highlight that some daytime classes generally have at least one TA assigned based on previous enrollments — List of courses that might receive a TA. This is NOT a set or complete list since enrollments and class sizes change. The class may or may not get a TA depending on enrollment. The quarters in which these classes are offered are different, so please check the schedule for the appropriate TA application quarter to determine if the course is being offered.

You must be available in-person to run 1-2 lab or quiz sections of the courses you list on the application. Please check your class schedule as you apply.

Who gets selected?

Graduate students in ECE serve as the primary source for our pool of TAs. PhD students are given priority for TA positions. Master’s and Undergraduate applicants are generally considered only after nearly all PhD students have been placed. Undergraduate ECE students will be considered for TA roles only once we have fully exhausted the pool of available graduate students.

Appointment Considerations:

• PhD students within their guaranteed funding window.
• Any remaining courses will be matched with the best TA applicant based on skill sets needed and experience for that course.
• Faculty requests will be considered, but do not guarantee appointment. TA assignments depend on departmental instructional needs, available funding, applicant pool size, and skills coverage.

Graduate students from departments outside of ECE are rarely employed as TAs for ECE courses. Exceptions are made only in cases where a course requires highly specific knowledge that only certain students possess and are available to teach.

What’s the TA selection process and timeline?

The 3rd to 4th week of every quarter is usually when TA applications for the next quarter open. The application will stay up for 2 weeks (announcements will go out on the student listerv).

TA assignments depend on several factors, including course enrollment, budget constraints, the number of applicants, and the availability of open positions that align with the skill sets of qualified candidates. It may take 1-5 weeks to assign TA positions after the application is closed. Usually, students will hear back at least 2 weeks before the payroll start day (i.e., Sep 16th, Dec 16th, Mar 16th) of each quarter.

While instructors may encourage students to apply to TA for their course, there is no guarantee of placement. Master’s and Undergraduate students should not expect to rely on a recommendation, and are advised to continue exploring other funding options. Please check Handshake or contact other relevant departments or job opportunities.

For courses that are cross-listed with other departments (e.g., EE/BioE/CSE 423, EE/CSE 474, EE/ME/AA 510, EE/CSE 544, EE/ME/AA 550, EE/ME/AA 583), the instructor’s home department is responsible for managing TA assignments. Students interested in these courses should consult the home department of the instructor for information on their TA application process.

What do I need to submit?

Document(s) to provide for your application:

• Resume/CV
  A resume or a CV is required. Please have a section where you list ALL skills (Java, Python, CUDA, OpenCL, GPU,  Verilog, etc.). The rest of your resume should reflect all duties related to teaching, mentoring, tutoring, or project leadership, etc. No page limit for resume/CV.

• Transcript
  An unofficial copy of ALL transcripts (UW and any previous schools). We are NOT looking at grades. A broader look of the types of classes you took will help us find a course match if your first or second course choices are not possible. Please combine the transcripts into a single PDF for submission.

Can I apply if I am a non-native English speaker?

To be eligible for a TA appointment, graduate students must meet the Graduate Schools English Language Proficiency Requirement outlined in Policy 5.2. Indicate below how you meet this policy requirement.

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States, or hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom, where English is the medium of instruction
• Hold a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Juris Doctor (JD) from a regionally accredited institution located in the United States where English is the medium of instruction.
• Demonstrate spoken English proficiency with a test score on file at the University of Washington of at least a 26 on the speaking section of the TOEFL-iBT or a 7 on the speaking section of the IELTS
• Pass a one-time appeal interview at UW
• Pass English 105.

Please see Policy 5.2 for detailed information.

What are the TA responsibilities?

TA responsibilities vary depending on the course and instructor. Responsibilities may include attending lectures; leading quiz, review, or laboratory sections; facilitating discussions; holding office hours; tutoring students; responding to course-related emails and discussion forums; preparing or maintaining course materials and webpages; developing, proctoring, and grading assignments or exams; maintaining grading records; and attending instructional-team meetings.

Job responsibilities vary by instructor, so it is best to discuss the anticipated TA workload and expectations with the instructor during the application process.

A course TA is expected to work, on average, up to and no more than 20 hours per week.

Questions?

Contact Stephanie Swanson, Director of Academic Services (stepswan@uw.edu).