We would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the most important steps in making the ITA English certification process smooth and successful.

Please ensure that the departmental contact responsible for
international TA and AI appointments receives this notice.

1. The "For Departments" link on the ITA Program web site <http://ita.cte.utexas.edu> contains links to a departmental packet with detailed instructions, a registration checklist, and a list of important dates. The "Student Information Packet," on the same web page, can be printed and distributed to international graduate students interested in becoming certified TAs/AIs.
   
   
2. Graduate Advisors or Coordinators must first register prospective ITAs (including exemptions) on the ITA program web site <http://ita.cte.utexas.edu> by clicking on Register a New Prospective ITA under the "For Departments" link. After an ITA is registered, it is then the ITA's responsibility to schedule an appointment for the Oral English Proficiency Assessment by contacting TIEP at 477-9283, ext. 482 or <ita.test@tiec.org>.
   
   By registering a student on the ITA Program web site for English Certification, a department (or any UT unit) authorizes the student to take the Assessment (or qualify for an exemption). Please have a departmental account number available at the time of registration for Assessment fee billing purposes.
   
   Exemption requests must be made at the time of registration and should be made well in advance of the Assessment and ITA Communication Workshop.
   
   
3. Any ITA, who may eventually teach, should be encouraged to take the assessment and the ITA Communication Workshop at the first available opportunity. Planning ahead will ensure that your department has an adequate pool of certified TAs and AIs for upcoming appointments.
   
   
4. Prospective ITAs/AIs must attend the ITA Communication Workshop in order to be certified for a position involving student contact. The ITA Communication Workshop schedule is available on our web site (and is also part of the "Department Information Packet").
   
   
5. To avoid schedule conflicts, please consider the ITA Communication Workshop dates and times when planning departmental functions. The ITA workshop is typically scheduled from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. the Wednesday prior to the start of classes. Visit our website to see the most current schedule.
   
   If you have any questions regarding the ITA Program or the English Certification process, please do not hesitate to contact us at 471-2482. We thank you for supporting the success of ITAs and for promoting teaching excellence at The University of Texas at Austin, and we look forward to working with you in the coming semesters.