The M.A. in Writing program (MA-WRI) graduate students will have the opportunity to fill various graduate teaching assistant (GTA) positions. Compensation for these positions consists of a 100% tuition remission during employment and approximately a $10,000 annual stipend. The position requires 20 hours of work per week.
Note: to be considered for a GTA position, applicants must complete an Application for the M.A. in Writing program
Full-time M.A. in Writing students will enroll in a 6-unit, two-semester course sequence during year 1 of the program to fulfill the Pedagogy Concentration. During this first-year pedagogy coursework, graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) will be assigned a teaching mentor and shadow an ENG 1010: College Composition course. As mentee instructors, GTAs will practice teaching various components of ENG 1010. All students will tutor in the Loma Writing Center during the pedagogy course sequence, and then toward the end of the first year of the program, students will apply to teach ENG 1010: College Composition. Students selected to teach as instructors of record during their second year in the program will receive funding in year 2. The expectation is that students will be approved to teach provided they qualify for adjunct employment at PLNU, are in good academic standing, and have demonstrated ability to contribute to our high-quality standards of teaching. Approval of teaching applicants will be based upon factors including, but not limited to, the quality of work during program year 1, satisfactory progress toward the degree, and satisfactory completion of all duties relating to the appointment and availability of funding.
Approval of teaching applicants will be based upon factors including the quality of work during program year 1, satisfactory progress toward the degree, and satisfactory completion of all duties relating to the appointment and availability of funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m interested! How do I apply?
All full-time program candidates must complete an M.A. in Writing program application with Graduate Admissions and express their interest in the position in their Teaching Statement as a part of that application. Applications also require a resume/vita and one letter of recommendation.
Who can apply?
Anyone who applies to the MA-WRI program will be considered for a graduate teaching assistant position.
All full-time program candidates must complete an M.A. in Writing program application with Graduate Admissions and express their interest in the position in their Teaching Statement as a part of that application. Applications also require a resume/vita and one letter of recommendation.
After I complete the application what happens?
Top candidates—selected by WRI faculty—who meet eligibility requirements will be interviewed for admission into the MA-WRI program. During the candidate’s interview for admission, they’ll be asked to expand upon their interest in tutoring and teaching, including how they see themselves fitting into Point Loma Nazarene University’s Christian, Wesleyan higher education context. Toward the end of year 1 of the program for admitted students, those interested in teaching ENG 1010: College Composition will interview for teaching positions for year 2 of the program. Any students not hired for teaching positions are not guaranteed funding in year 2 of the program, though it is possible that they could continue tutoring in the Loma Writing Center. The expectation is that students will be approved to teach provided they qualify for adjunct employment, are in good academic standing, and have demonstrated ability to contribute to our high-quality standards of teaching.
If hired as a graduate teaching assistant, will this apply directly to my tuition?
Yes. In program year 1, all graduate teaching assistants will receive a tuition remission and a $10,000 annual stipend in exchange for 20 hours a week of tutoring and/or teaching. In program year 2, students approved to teach will receive renewed funding. Positions require 20 hours of work per week at a benefit comparable to 100% of tuition and approximately a $10,000 annual stipend. All GTAs will log their work hours and will be paid bi-weekly.
What is the general commitment like for these roles?
Unless noted otherwise, all positions require a commitment for the full academic year (August - June).
I’m interested in the M.A. in Writing program and GTA tutoring, but not the GTA teaching; can I still apply?
All M.A. in Writing students apply to teach ENG 1010: College Composition. If they are not approved to teach, students might be considered for continued tutoring in the Loma Writing Center, depending on availability and program needs. However, those students would be responsible for covering their second-year tuition.
When will applications open and close?
Though applications are open year-round, it is recommended that applicants interested in starting the program in the fall turn in their application ahead of the early application January 20 deadline.
Will I be taxed on the stipend and tuition remission?
Yes. Both the $10,000 annual stipend and a portion of your tuition remission are taxable.
- Stipend: Taxable and reported as income. You’ll receive this biweekly as you work 20 hours/week for 32 weeks.
- Tuition Remission: Covers 18 units per year (valued at $11,988).
The IRS allows $5,250 in graduate tuition benefits to be tax-free each year.
The remaining $6,738 will be reported as taxable income on your W-2.
Be sure to consult a tax advisor for how this applies to your personal situation. Thank you!
If you have any questions and/or make any changes to your schedule or student account, please contact Student Financial Services at (619) 563-2882 or gpssfs@pointloma.edu, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, as it may impact your financial aid.
** Please include your full name and Student ID when responding **
Do I have to be a Nazarene to teach as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the program?
We welcome and encourage people of all backgrounds as students in our programs. Issues that relate to faith may be discussed in some classes, and engaging in discussion with individuals with alternative points of view will be encouraged as learning opportunities. Students will work within a learning community that is supportive academically, spiritually, and emotionally. In regard to the opportunity to teach ENG 1010: College Composition as a graduate teaching assistant, applicants must interview toward the end of program year 1 and demonstrate how they fit within Point Loma Nazarene University’s Christian, Wesleyan context. The expectation is that students will be approved to teach provided they qualify for adjunct employment at PLNU, are in good academic standing, and have demonstrated ability to contribute to our high-quality standards of teaching.