Teaching assistants, also known as "TAs," are University staff members but are not technically part of the faculty at Iowa. Nonetheless, they are a valuable teaching resource.

Since some graduate students go on to become professors after graduation, those who become teaching assistants are required to do a certain amount of teaching in order to receive their graduate or professional degree. The faculty at Iowa is committed to helping them master effective teaching methods in the process.

Often, TAs will lead weekly class discussions or lab sessions that complement a professor's weekly lectures. This arrangement allows teaching assistants to help carry out course objectives, and allows students to discuss course material with an informed and reliable source.