ONITA takes place during the week prior to the start of any regular semester. The orientation is required for all new international graduate students before the first semester of teaching or assisting with teaching at MU, unless they have completed any postsecondary degrees in the United States prior to starting their MU graduate program.

Orientation activities

At the orientation, international teaching assistants (ITAs) will:

• Review principles of effective teaching, including communication strategies
• Develop familiarity with the U.S. classroom and lab culture
• Apply principles in microteaching sessions

Orientation instructors include expert faculty and instructors, experienced ITAs and MU undergraduate students.

Registration

Academic department contacts may enroll international graduate students in ONITA through the ITAP Canvas site for Department Contacts. Please contact ITAP at itap@missouri.edu or 573-884-1762 with any questions.