The Division of the Humanities worked with departments to create tailored pedagogical training plans, which outline requirements related to teaching. The Division articulated a clear analogy between learning to become a scholar and learning to become a teacher. Students are trained to become scholars through coursework, reading lists, qualifying exams, writing a dissertation, and above all through advising and mentoring.  Similarly, students are trained to become teachers through pedagogical training and corresponding teaching assignments to prepare them for future careers and to make them competitive on the job market. The pedagogical training plans also recognize that a student’s training as a teacher should be informed by the student’s disciplinary interests and that degree requirements will vary by program.

For example, a student’s teaching experience typically will be structured progressively, e.g. beginning with Teaching Assistantships and leading to a Graduate Student Lectureship in the student’s discipline and/or in the College Core Curriculum. 

Each doctoral program has established a pedagogical training plan, which is available to students in the program. If there are concerns about the pedagogical training plan requirements and/or what's being asked of the student within the teaching opportunity, please connect with the Dean of Students at humdos@uchicago.edu.

Students are now able to hold teaching positions for compensation, and in most cases, must have completed their pedagogical training requirements. Students must apply for these positions via GradGargoyle, they must be in good academic standing making progress towards degree completion, and the classes themselves must meet enrollment minimums. Students should consult with their program and/or the Dean of Students with questions and approval for these student teaching support positions.