• More CA/TF FAQs

CA/TF: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a CA and a TF?

The primary distinguishing feature between Teaching Fellows and Course Assistants is that TFs generally have several more years experience teaching (and with the subject matter or the specific course), than CAs have. Although it is not required, most Teaching Fellows are doctoral candidates at the HKS or another Harvard school. Not all courses qualify for Teaching Fellow assistance. To receive a TF the course must satisfy one or more of the following conditions: (1) the course is an advanced one (e.g. a course designed for prospective Ph.D. students); (2) the position involves a significant amount of teaching, generally in formal, scheduled review sessions, or (3) the course has a substantial amount of written work that requires Ph.D. level experience and judgment to evaluate.

What are the duties of Course Assistants?

In addition to attending the class, CAs may expect to do anything from preparing materials for class to holding “office hours” for one-on-one tutoring, reviewing problem sets, doing “first reads” on written assignments, arranging for media services in the classroom and maintaining the intranet Classroom web page. Exactly what any individual CA does depends on the course, the student’s abilities, and the needs of the faculty member. In addition to the normal work during the semester CAs are responsible for administering course evaluations at the end of the term, and for proctoring the final examinations.

What are the duties of Teaching Fellows?

The TF system at the HKS is slightly different than at other schools at Harvard. TFs are not assigned “sections” in the same way as they are at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). At the HKS TFs are expected to work approximately 15 hours per week. In addition to attending the class, the TFs’ primary responsibility is to run formally scheduled review sessions. Reviews at the HKS are not done in “sections” of 10-15 students as they are at FAS. The review session accommodates all students from the class who care to attend. Depending on the size of the class and the number of other TFs or CAs, TFs may also expect to prepare course materials, manage the CA team, hold “office hours” for one-on-one tutoring, review problem sets, and do “first reads” on papers. Exactly what any individual TF does is dependent on the course, his or her abilities, and the needs of the faculty member. While TFs may assist faculty by grading problem sets or other materials where the faculty provides an answer sheet, or may perform “first reads” on written work, TFs do not assign grades to students. Faculty are solely responsible for assigning students’ grades in courses. In addition to the normal work during the semester TFs are responsible for administering course evaluations at the end of the term, and for proctoring the final examinations.

When are job assignments made?

The list of possible jobs that students receive in May is very tentative and will not reflect final decisions on course offerings. Some new courses will be under consideration, others may change semesters, some may be dropped. Deciding teaching assignments is a rolling process between March and mid-June. We ask students for their job preferences early so that we can be sure to hear from everyone before they leave for the summer.

Fall Assignments

Fall assignments are generally sent out by email on or about August 1. At this time the fall and spring schedules are public. Students are asked to check the schedule before committing to a job so that they can be sure they will not have a conflict. Job confirmations are due no later than August 15.

Spring Assignments

Spring Assignments are generally made in late October or early November. Even though spring assignments are made later, it is really important to fill out your preferences for spring ’08 jobs when you submit your preferences in May of this year. The information is very useful in understanding your overall interests if we can’t give you your first choice of job in the fall, or if a course you are interested in changes semester.

Eliminating CA or TF Jobs

Assignments made according to allocation guidelines based on previous years' enrollments, adjusted for enrollment expectations for the following year. (For instance, changes in the MPP or MPAID class might effect the number of CA slots available in MPP and MPAID core courses.) There are some exceptions to these guidelines, but please note that should a course enrollment drop drastically below the projected enrollment we may have to eliminate the CA or TF job. We will try to relocate you to another job, but cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will be conservative in our initial allocations so that we may avoid this situation.

Standby Jobs

Because of the uncertainties in enrollments, in some cases we assign “standby” jobs. This means that if the enrollments are borderline, or that at the outset there is uncertainty about how many students will be in the class. Nearly all new course jobs are initially listed as "standby" because we have no idea of how many students may enroll. “Standby” means you are next in line for a job if the enrollment warrants a CA.

I have to CA or TF for both semesters, or can I CA/TF for only one semester?

Jobs are assigned one semester at a time. Many people get a job for both semesters, but not all do. And, if you want to CA/TF for only one semester simply say so on the Job Request Form.

Do I need to talk to the faculty member to line up the job before submitting my Job Preference Form

You may certainly speak with the faculty member to express interest in being a CA or TF for the course, but it is not necessary, and this alone would not guarantee you will receive the job. You must also submit the Job Request Form online.

Are there required meetings and workshops?

There will be two required meetings in the fall for fall term CAs and TFs. The first will be brief, during Registration/Orientation week, and primarily about payroll and resource issues. The second, during the first week of classes, addresses substantive teaching issues that arise for CAs and TFs. There is also a substantive meeting again in the spring for those new CAs and TFs who did not have jobs in the fall.

What are my commitments and responsibilities?

Fall term CAs and TFs are expected to participate in the CATF meeting during Registration/Orientation week and in the workshop as above. New Spring term CAs and TFs are expected to participate in the CATF meeting at the begining of the spring semester as above.

Work begins on the first day of the term (fall or spring). Though we are unable to pay you until the first day of classes it would be useful if you would introduce yourself to the professor for whom you are working by Shopping Days. Some faculty will need your assistance during Shopping Days if your own shopping schedule permits.

We consider your acceptance of an assignment a professional commitment. Once you have accepted a position we expect the assignment to be final. The only exception is if your own course schedule conflicts with your job assignment. In this case we will do our best to find you another assignment, but we cannot guarantee another assignment.

What is the CA Wage rate?

CAs usually work 10 to 12 hours a week, or approximately 165 hours per semester. In 2008-2009 we expect CAs to be paid $15.75 per hour. Head CAs (those who are coordinating at least three additional CAs in the course) receive an additional dollar per hour. CAs turn in time sheets once week , and are paid weekly. Ph.D candidates in CA jobs are paid the same rate as all other CAs.

What is the TF wage rate?

TFs are expected to work about 15 hours per week and are paid a flat rate. In 2008-2009 we expect TFs to be paid approximately $5000 for a semester length course. TFs are paid at the end of each month. TFs whose position includes major administrative duties and coordination between at least three other CAs or TFs may be eligible (but not always) to receive an increase of up to 15%. TFs who run two identical review sessions for a course may be eligible (but not always) for an increase of up to 25%.

Will my earnings be taxed?

Everyone who has a job must submit tax forms. Whether or not you have taxes taken out of your wages depends entirely on your individual situation. International students should check with the Harvard International Office to see if their home country has a tax treaty with the United States

Do I have to be on Federal Work Study to get a job?

It is not required that you be on Federal Work Study to get a CA or TF job. However, if there are two equally qualified students interested in a job preference will be given to the student with Work Study funding. (Federal Work Study funding is available only to domestic students.)

If I do have work study, do I have to use it for the CA job?

Individuals who are employed in more than one position at Harvard University may elect to use workstudy awards for both positions. It is often possible to request that your total workstudy award be increased if you anticipate that your earnings from both positions will exceed your workstudy allotment. If you find it necessary to apply your workstudy funding to only one position, we strongly encourage you to use it for the position with the highest total expected earnings. This will often be your position as a Course Assistant or Teaching Fellow. Doing so will ensure that the Kennedy School realizes the greatest possible savings and therefore reinforces the School's ability to continue hiring students. If you have Work Study funding and you do not use it on CA or TF job it will diminish your chances of getting a CA or TF job.

Can I be on another Harvard Payroll in addition to my CA or TF job?

Generally speaking you are permitted be on another Harvard payroll. The Peoplesoft payroll system will require you to inform us if you are simultaneously on any other Harvard payroll. There are university wide limits on the combinations of jobs that are acceptable, and the total number of hours an individual works. There are occasions where these limits mean students have to make a choice between one job or the other.

Are there special considerations for International students?

International students must have a social security number and be certain they have the appropriate visa authorization to permit them to work.