We take pride in preparing our graduate students to teach at the collegiate level. Almost all of our newly admitted graduate students are hired as teaching assistants and help our instructors facilitate activities, grade assignments, and mentor students in both classroom and online undergraduate courses.
Early in your graduate career, you will attend teaching workshops offered through the Program for Instructional Excellence (PIE) and take a semester-long Teaching Sociology course in which you will study teaching philosophy, practice course design, create sample assignments, outline and give lectures, and receive peer and faculty feedback. We also offer opportunities to participate in departmental teaching workshops and discussions facilitated by a graduate student designated as a PIE Associate.
During the end of your third or beginning of their fourth year, you will be prepared to independently teach your first undergraduate course. Graduate instructors consult with faculty members and more experienced graduate students about their syllabi and teaching practices and receive additional support from our Undergraduate Teaching Coordinator.
Throughout your graduate career, you will have the opportunity to attend additional PIE workshops and coffee hours, which cover issues from using technology in the classroom, tips on grading, designing assignments, engaging students, and mindfulness in the classroom. In addition, FSU’s Preparing Future Faculty program holds workshops on writing a CV, conference presentations, crafting job cover and application letters, networking, and professional communication. Taking advantage of these resources can give graduate students a competitive edge when they go on the job market.