Teaching Assistantships

One way to help cover the cost of your graduate degree is to work as a teaching assistant or reader position during your time at UC Davis. Graduate student assistantship and reader positions offer students reduced tuition, and monthly or hourly stipends. Most students meet the requirements to be a teaching assistant or reader during their second year after their core courses are completed.

What does a teaching assistant do?

Teaching assistants are responsible for conducting discussion sections, holding office hours and grading homework. A TA is responsible for participating in regular class, as well as their discussion section. The purpose of this rule is to ensure responsibilities such as proctoring or grading exams are shared equally among fellow teaching assistants. As a TA, you will be asked to administer midterms and finals for lectures, and be asked to hold extra office hours during midterms and finals. 

What does it mean to be a reader?

The title “Reader” is given to a student employee who provides various services as a course assistant, such as grading student papers and examinations. A reader does not have the same responsibilities as a teaching assistant.

How much does it pay?

  • A 50% teaching assistant appointment receives $7,303.83 for the entire quarter, plus fee remission
  • A 25% teaching assistant appointment receives $3,651.19 for the entire quarter, plus fee remission
  • A 25% reader appointment receives $16.75 per hour and fee remission

**The salary and fee remission amounts are subject to change without notice.Teaching assistants appointment of 25% or higher receive a fee remission*, except for courses taken in Summer Sessions**. Teaching assistants appointed to Summer Sessions are appointed by the Office of Summer Sessions. There are no fee remissions offered for any student academic appointment during the summer. *Fee remission includes education and registration fees as well as Health Insurance.