The Future Educators Academy (FEA) is an innovative program designed for prospective Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs). Developed in collaboration with Academic Affairs, the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL), and UMB schools, the FEA is committed to providing a tailored educational development experience for graduate students pursuing careers in education.
FEA Integration with UMB Graduate Assistantships
At the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) serve as both students and professional apprentices, gaining valuable teaching experience under the supervision of faculty. GTAs receive a stipend, student health insurance, and a tuition waiver (up to 10 credits per semester, excluding summer) in exchange for teaching-related responsibilities. While not considered university employees, GTAs are appointed by their academic programs and work under close faculty supervision.
In the Future Educators Academy (FEA), GTAs deepen their development as future educators. Their responsibilities may include assisting faculty, facilitating workshops or community programs, and supporting course administration. GTAs may also lead laboratory or discussion sections, gaining hands-on instructional experience. In addition, FEA GTAs receive mentorship from faculty and staff in the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL), with a focus on developing evidence-based teaching practices and instructional design skills.
Qualifications and Selection
To be eligible for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) in the Future Educators Academy (FEA), students must:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Demonstrate strong academic performance and potential to contribute meaningfully to teaching and learning at UMB
FEA assistantships may be awarded as full-time (20 hours/week) or part-time (10 hours/week) appointments and typically span 12 months, from September 1 to August 31, pending funding availability.
Letter of Appointment
All GTAs receive an official letter of appointment or reappointment from the FEA program director. This letter outlines:
- Stipend amount and benefit coverage (tuition remission and health insurance)
- Allowed course registration per semester
- Appointment dates and expected start date
- Nature of duties and reporting structure
- Weekly time commitment
- Signature lines for the program director and student, along with an acceptance deadline
Copies must be provided to the Graduate School and the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Additional Employment Restrictions
Graduate assistantships are intended to support academic progress and professional development. As such:
- GTAs are expected to devote full effort to their studies and assistantship responsibilities
- GTAs may not hold additional employment, either on or off campus, during the appointment period
- Exceptions require prior approval from the Graduate School Dean and are rare
Please refer to the UMB Graduate School Graduate Assistantships for the most current policies and procedures.
Registration Requirements
Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) at UMB must register for ABGA 901 each term they serve in a teaching assistantship. This registration formally establishes their assistantship status and ensures exemption from Social Security (FICA) taxes. While ABGA courses (ABGA 900/901/903) grant full-time enrollment status for administrative purposes, they do not count toward degree completion or tuition remission limits, and they carry no additional cost to the student.
ABGA 901 (Graduate Teaching Assistant – 7 credits)
- Fall Term – Section 01: CRN = 90003
- Spring Term – Section 01: CRN = 20003
- Summer Term – Section 01: CRN = 60003
Students must also be enrolled in at least 6 billable credits per semester to maintain eligibility for federal need-based aid. Courses taken for audit (AU) do not count toward credit requirements for graduation or financial aid and are not covered by tuition remission.
GTA Responsibilities
The specific duties of a GTA vary by program but generally include:
- Assisting with course grading, advising, proctoring, or administrative tasks
- Supporting or facilitating lab sessions, workshops, or community-based programs
- Teaching discussion sections or labs under close faculty supervision
- Contributing to the design or delivery of educational materials
In the Future Educators Academy (FEA), GTAs also receive structured mentorship in instructional design and pedagogy from FCTL staff, further preparing them for future faculty or educator roles.
Stipends and Available Benefits
Stipends (Effective September 1, 2024)
Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) in the Future Educators Academy receive the following stipends:
- Pre-candidacy: $34,325
- Post-candidacy: $36,325
Stipends are funded through a combination of state, institutional, and grant-based sources and must meet university minimums. Stipend classification is based on experience and academic progress, following two established levels (steps). UMB adheres to NIH guidance to ensure stipends are reasonable and appropriate.
Note: Graduate assistantship stipends are considered a financial resource for federal need-based aid eligibility.
Tuition Remission
Tuition remission is based on appointment status:
- Full-time GTAs (20 hours/week): 10 credits of tuition remission per fall and spring semester
- Part-time GTAs (10 hours/week): 5 credits per semester and 50% student health coverage, or 10 credits in one semester only
Note: Tuition remission is not available for winter or summer sessions.
Steps to Receive Tuition Remission (each semester):
- Complete the tuition remission form by the first day of classes. Forms are available from your program coordinator, payroll representative, or Human Resource Services.
- Sign and route the form for approval (including the appropriate funding source and chart string).
- Submit the approved form to Student Accounting (HSHSL, 601 W. Lombard St., 2nd Floor) for processing.
Student Health Insurance
All UMB students are required to have health insurance. Graduate assistants without equivalent coverage must enroll in the university’s plan. Premiums are typically covered by the assistantship, depending on funding.
- Coverage includes prescription medication, but not vision or dental (available separately at student expense).
- Family coverage is available for purchase but is not covered by the assistantship.
- Students with equivalent insurance may waive the UMB plan here.
Enrollment and Billing Details:
- Students are automatically enrolled and billed at the start of the fall (August 1) and spring (February 1) semesters.
- Those arriving early or registering for fewer than 9 credits must self-enroll.
- To cover the charge with assistantship funds, obtain a health insurance charge-back form from the Graduate School (Celeste Gerhart, 5th Floor, 620 W. Lexington St.) or your program. Submit it to Student Accounting to process the premium.
For a full description of benefits, refer to the Graduate Assistant Guide.
Programming
The Future Educators Academy (FEA) supports graduate teaching assistants in developing as future educators within graduate and professional education contexts. The program combines asynchronous online learning with periodic live sessions throughout the academic year. These sessions may include workshops, guest speakers, group discussions, or collaborative design work.
In the fall, GTAs are introduced to foundational teaching concepts and supported in developing instructional materials or design projects. In the spring, the focus shifts to application—through microteaching, discipline-specific workshops, instructional artifacts, or reflective statements. The exact format and emphasis may vary each year based on program goals.
Participants can expect regular engagement with FEA coordinators, peer collaboration, and opportunities for feedback. Evaluation mechanisms may include reflective activities, peer and mentor feedback, and surveys to improve future iterations of the program.
Eligible Degree-Seeking Programs
To apply for the Future Educators Academy (FEA), students must:
- Be enrolled full-time in a UMB graduate or professional program
- Be eligible for a graduate assistantship, including stipend, tuition remission, and student health benefits
- Not hold full-time employment during the assistantship period
Priority consideration is given to students in terminal degree programs. A limited number of master’s students may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Additional enrollment requirements, such as registration in the appropriate Graduate Assistant (ABGA) course, will be completed during onboarding for selected participants.
Programs Best Aligned with FEA Goals
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, PhD
- Biomedical Sciences, PhD
- Epidemiology and Human Genetics, PhD
- Gerontology, PhD
- Health Professions Education, PhD
- Medical Science, DMSc (limited to one student per cohort)
- Molecular Medicine, PhD
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, PhD
- Neuroscience, PhD
- Nursing, PhD
- Nursing, DNP (limited to one student per cohort)
- Oral and Experimental Pathology, PhD
- Palliative Care, PhD
- Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, PhD
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, PhD
- Physical and Rehabilitation Science, PhD
- Social Work, PhD
Other Eligible Programs (Subject to Space & Fit)
Students in the following MS programs may be considered on a case-by-case basis:
- Cellular and Molecular Biomedical Science, MS
- Epidemiology and Human Genetics, MS
- Medical and Research Technology, MS
- Pathology, MS
- Palliative Care, MS
- Pharmacometrics, MS
Application Forms
We are currently in the process of refining the Future Educators Academy for the upcoming academic year. While we are not accepting general applications at this time, limited outreach and recruitment are underway through select UMB graduate and professional programs.
We appreciate your interest and encourage you to check back for future opportunities. For questions, feel free to contact us.
FEA Graduate Assistantship Appointments
Since 2020, the Future Educators Academy has appointed 31 Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) and 1 Graduate Research Assistant (GRA), including 22 doctoral students and 10 master's students. These appointments, involving 39 faculty mentors, have come from 12 academic programs across six of the seven schools at UMB.
