Graduate Assistant Training

Below you will find information to help you be more successful as a Graduate Teaching Assistant; the information may also be helpful if you are working at a graduate research assistant.  This materials is constantly changing, with current information added on a yearly basis. If you have attended a training before, please review the below for new and helpful information.

If you have any questions about the videos or links, contact gradschool@montana.edu.

Classroom Conduct, MSU CARES Program & More:

 The GEO is the labor union that represents ALL graduate assistants (GTA/GRA/GSA) at Montana State University. This is an opportunity to come together as a group to work towards improved pay, benefits ad conditions. Please see more on our website and be sure you are a par tof the GEO: https://www.msugeo.org/ or contact us at geocentralcommittee@gmail.com

The student conduct process at MSU is an educational and developmental process that balances the interests of individual students with the interests of the academic community. As a GTA, you should read and know the Code of Student Conduct. Also, take time to watch this short video on Handling Student Misconduct.

All students are required to uphold and abide by certain standards of conduct that form the basis of the Code of Student Conduct.  The link to the side will take you to the Code, and provide additional information that can help you as a GTA. 

Report Academic Misconduct 

MSU Alert

Active Shooter

 

Teaching Tips for Success

All courses that exist in Banner each semester are automatically created in this platform, so if you login you can find your course offering online and use it to teach your course. 

You may have used D2L/Brightspace as a student, but this training is intended to teach you how to use it as an instructor. You can present content, create discussions, conduct quizzes, submit grades, and more.

Link to Brightspace LE

Starting in MAY 2025, the new learning platform will be CANVAS:

Student portal and how to Get Started

Canvas Videos and More!

While at MSU, we want to be sure you stay safe no matter what you are doing, from research in a lab to walking across campus. SRM has detailed information about safety practices from being in a lab, to navigating the campus during the winter months.  Please be sure you know this information. 

Want to become a better educator? Consider adding the College Teaching Certificate onto your program of study!

Information on the College Teaching Certificate

 

Other Helpful Tools

If you are concerned about the welfare of someone affiliated with MSU and this is a non-emergency, we encourage you to complete a CARE ALERT. Sometimes people cannot or will not ask for support, so informing us of your concern may be a critical factor in getting them support, this is all part of the MSU CARES Program. Please review the link for more information.

Care Referrals

As you begin your graduate teaching, it is important to learn as much as you can on working with all the students you will encounter on a given day. Disability Services at Montana State UniversityLinks to an external site. is dedicated to providing accommodations and support to students with disabilities to ensure access to all university programs and services. We empower students and collaborate with campus partners to foster a culture where all abilities are valued, respected, and integrated into the learning and living environments. Guided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and its Amendments Act of 2008, our goal is to provide appropriate accommodations that address each student's needs individually. We currently serve approximately 6% of the graduate and professional student population at Montana State University.

What We Do:
- Eligibility and Accommodations: We work with undergraduate and graduate students to determine eligibility for both temporary and permanent accommodations based on information provided by the student and documentation from a qualified medical or counseling professional. Requests can be made through our Accommodate portalLinks to an external site.. This individualized and interactive process ensures that accommodations like extended testing time or note-taking assistance are tailored to each student's academic needs. For a list of common academic accommodations, visit our Academic Accommodations pageLinks to an external site.. We also work with students for special housingLinks to an external site., dietary, and assistive animalLinks to an external site. requests.
- Accommodations Notification: Students who qualify for accommodations, whether temporary or permanent, receive an electronic notification, which they can share with faculty directly. Students must notify their faculty each semester of their approved accommodations and agree on how they will be implemented.

We’re Here to Help: If you have any questions or need clarification about accommodations, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (406) 994-2824 or email disabilityservices@montana.edu. We are always happy to work with you to ensure you have the support you need.

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