Graduate and teaching assistants (GAs and TAs) are employed by academic department to assist with teaching-related duties. Notices of available positions are posted on the departmental website before the beginning of the semester. Interested applicants should contact their department/program for guidance regarding available GA or TA positions.
Graduate and Teaching Assistants are unionized and governed by a Collective Agreement (CUPE 4580).
GAs and TAs are not permitted to begin work duties until their contract has been approved by Graduate Studies and all required documentation has been submitted and reviewed by Human Resources to determine that all legal requirements have been met. An email confirmation will be sent to GAs and TAs once their contract has been approved.
If you are a new student employee of the University, or if it has been more than one year since your last contract with the University of Windsor, please review the detailed instructions on the HR website under section “For Students: New Hire Forms”.
Full-time doctoral and Master's students in eligible programs may be offered a Graduate Assistantship (GA) for up to 140 hours per term. Under the current GA/TA collective agreement, a Master’s students who is offered a GA position will receive GA support for a total of three terms, and a doctoral student - for seven terms. Additional grace GA term(s) may be provided depending on availability. The value of a full 140-hour Master's GA is $5,826.80 per term and a doctoral GA - $6,493.20 per term (rates as of Sept. 1, 2023).
GA rates (effective September 1, 2023):
- M II – $41.62 per hour
- PhD – $46.38 per hour
(Above rates include 4% vacation pay. A TA/GA will receive 4% or 6% vacation pay based on their years of employment in accordance with the Employment Standards Act.)
- Note that GAs are paid employment positions - for details review the information about employment of graduate students.
- Notices of available GA positions are posted on the departmental website before the beginning of the term. For available positions contact the graduate department or program where you are interested in applying for a GA position
Some departments may offer teaching assistantships (TAs) for undergraduate students. Notices of available TA positions are posted on the departmental website before the beginning of the term. For available positions contact the department or program where you are interested in applying for a TA position
TA rates (effective Sept.1, 2023):
- TA I (Years 1 and 2) – $21.55 per hour
- TA II (Years 3 and 4) – $23.21 per hour
- TA III – $30.46 per hour
- M I – $30.46 per hour
(Above rates include 4% vacation pay. A TA/GA will receive 4% or 6% vacation pay based on their years of employment in accordance with the Employment Standards Act.)
Resources for new and current GAs and TAs
The workshop is held each Fall for new graduate and teaching assistants in all faculties and departments.
View materials and resources from the 2023 annual orientation workshop for new Graduate and Teaching Assistants on the event webpage.
The Centre for Teaching and Learning is holding the GATAcademy every Fall, with interactive workshops for both new and experienced GAs and TAs. For more information on this and other events coordinated by the GATA Network, please visit: http://www.uwindsor.ca/ctl/388/gata.
Graduate and Teaching Assistantships are paid as a salary and considered employment. Review the information about employment of graduate students.
Obtaining an Employee Number
New GAs and TAs who have not been previously employed by the University will be provided an employee number by email once their completed New Hire Documentation, and their approved contract has been received by Human Resources.
Mandatory Training
All new employees at the University of Windsor, including new GAs and TAs must complete mandatory training for new employees. Contact the department where you are holding a GA/TA contract for guidance.
Review information about mandatory employee training for GAs and TAs.
Access the Mandatory Training site once you receive your employee number at: www.uwindsor.ca/requiredtraining
If graduate students receiving GAs wish to enroll in the payroll deferment plan through the Cashier's Office, a payroll deferment form must be submitted to the cashier's office each term within the cashier's posted deadline - for details refer to the instructions on the cashier's payment options webpage under "Graduate Students Payroll Deferment Plan".
- Review Teaching and other supports for GAs and TAs
- The GA/TA Network Development Team works with GAs and TAs across campus, introducing them to mentors and resources they will need to improve their teaching knowledge and skills. Visit CTL's website for details or check out the GA/TA network on Facebook.
- GATAcademy: a variety of resources targeted to GAs and TAs in all departments are available from the Centre for Teaching and Learning including the GATAcademy and other events coordinated by the GATA Network - for details please visit: http://www.uwindsor.ca/ctl/388/gata.
- Faculty of Graduate Studies services and contact information
- CUPE 4580 Collective Agreement
- CUPE local 4580
- GA/TA Network
- Senate Bylaws and Policies:
- Academic Integrity Office
- Centre for Teaching and Learning
- Required Employee Training
- Registrar’s Office
- Human Resources Office - student appointments information
- Cashier’s Office
- Office of Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility
- Health and Safety
- Sexual Misconduct Response & Prevention Office
- Graduate Student Society
- International Student Centre
- Student Support Services
- Student Success Centre