Are you interested in applying to be a Legal Practice Teaching Fellow for 2024-25? Below is some information to help you understand the position and the application process.
What are the basic qualifications to be a Teaching Fellow?
A successful applicant will be a second- or third-year student during the 2024-25 academic year. While the threshold cumulative GPA requirement is 3.0, students who received a “B+” or better in each semester of Legal Practice will receive preferential consideration. Strong research and writing skills are essential, as is an ability to relate well to first-year students, to communicate clearly, and to work effectively as part of the nationally ranked LP Program. During any one semester, students cannot serve as a Teaching Fellow and a doctrinal class tutor or research assistant.
How many Teaching Fellows will be selected?
Every professor who teaches in the Legal Practice Program will select a Teaching Fellow for each of his or her LP sections. For the 2024-25 academic year, there will be nine sections of Legal Practice.
How long is the Teaching Fellow term?
The term for an appointment as a Teaching Fellow is for the fall and spring semesters, as the expectation is that a Teaching Fellow who performs satisfactorily in the fall semester will continue in the spring. A term cannot be split between two Teaching Fellows.
What is the compensation for serving as a Teaching Fellow?
Each Teaching Fellow will be paid a stipend each semester. We anticipate that the stipend will be $1250 per semester.
What are the Teaching Fellow’s duties and responsibilities?
Some duties and responsibilities vary from professor to professor, but in general, Teaching Fellows do the following:
* Complete online, university-mandated trainings (FERPA, etc.).
* Attend most the LP Professor’s classes.
* Meet with the LP Professor on a regular basis.
* Assist the LP Professor with development of teaching materials by performing research, doing dry runs on draft exercises, and offering other assistance at the request of the LP Professor.
* Assist in grading objective exercises and in keeping track of citation exercises.
* If required by the LP Professor, hold office hours at a time and place accessible to students.
* Conduct tutorial sessions, e.g., proper citation.
* Assist with oral arguments.
* Assist students with library research.
Based on these typical duties and responsibilities, the average workload is approximately 8-10 hours per week; however, the workload will not be evenly distributed (e.g., weeks when a Teaching Fellow is grading will be more work- and time-intensive).
Is there any other information I should know about being a Teaching Fellow?
Teaching Fellows must refrain from dating or having close personal relationships with students in his or her section(s).
How do I apply to be a Teaching Fellow?
Please discuss applying with the professor for whom you would like to be a Teaching Fellow, as each professor who teaches LP ultimately decides what must be submitted as part of his or her application. Professors may want you to submit the following materials.
(1) a cover letter that includes a statement of interest and indicates any preference for a specific professor who teaches Legal Practice, as well as whether you would be a returning Teaching Fellow;
(2) a resume with references;
(3) a 5-7 page writing sample;
(4) an unofficial transcript; and
(5) a tentative class schedule (if available when applying).
Keep in mind that you will need to create your class schedule for 2024-25 around the Legal Practice class for which you are selected to be a Teaching Fellow.
What is the deadline to apply?
Please touch base with the professor for whom you would like to be a Teaching Fellow. He or she has discretion to set an application deadline. You are, however, encouraged to submit your application materials sooner than later. If you are not selected by your first choice, you may be selected by another professor.
Questions? Please contact Professor Humphrey at wendy.humphrey@ttu.edu.
