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Last Update 6/25/2026

Research Assistant (RA) and Learning Assistant (LA) positions are approved as Field Study placements. 

Research Assistants: 

  • Research Assistants (RAs) get hands-on experience in supporting the ongoing research projects of Social Ecology faculty. Students often work closely with, and are mentored by both the faculty and their graduate students while getting valuable research experience and knowledge for graduate school. Specific research projects and duties vary widely based on the nature and the area of research being conducted. Please review the RA positions listed in the catalog for details on the type of research and specific duties available. 

Learning Assistants: 

  • Learning Assistants (LAs) are undergraduate peer educators who work with students in the classroom setting to support and facilitate active learning in courses that are traditionally difficult or have high enrollment. LAs are required to enroll in a 2-unit LA pedagogy/training course concurrent to their first quarter as an LA (in addition to the SE 195/195W and the UNI STU 198 course). LAs are an important part of the instructional team. In the classroom, LAs support professors and graduate teaching assistants (TAs) with active learning -- typically in the form of group activities or discussions. Outside the classroom, LAs meet, reflect, and plan course curriculum and student progress with professors and TAs weekly.

What research and learning assistantships can count as field study placements? 

  • RA and LA positions LISTED in the School of Social Ecology-based Placement Catalog are automatically approved!
  • RA and LA positions WITHIN the School of Social Ecology that are NOT LISTED in the catalog may still be approved as a field study placement. Approval of non-listed RA/LA positions requires attaining consent from the faculty in charge to use their lab/class as a field study placement and they agree to take on the role of your field study supervisor. Faculty supervisors must also agree to submit final evaluations in which they confirm the completion of your fieldwork hours and to be responsive to email correspondence from our office.
  • RA and LA positions OUTSIDE of the School of Social Ecology must be reviewed and approved by the Field Study Director before they can be submitted as a field placement. Submit your position for review through the Research Assistant Clearance Request Form.

 

New Enrollment Policy for Research & Learning Assistants, effective Fall 2026

Research Assistants: 


Starting Fall 2026, students using research assistantships to fulfill their field study requirement may not concurrently enroll in additional units of SOCECOL 198 beyond their SOCECOL 195/195W enrollment.

However, some faculty members require all of their research assistants to enroll in SOCECOL 198 units, regardless of whether they are participating in field study. If a faculty member requires a student to enroll in additional SOCECOL 198 units, the student must complete additional fieldwork hours beyond the 80 hours required for field study at a rate of 20 additional hours for each unit of SOCECOL 198.

Learning Assistants: 

In addition to enrolling in 4 units of SOCECOL 195/195W Field Study, Learning Assistants (LAs) must also enroll in:

  • UNI STU 176 (2 units): A pedagogy/training course required only during the first quarter serving as an LA.
  • UNI STU 198 (2 units): Required each quarter, an individual serves as an LA. The course code for UNI STU 198 must be obtained from the faculty member whose course the LA is supporting.

*Please visit the UCI CLAP for more information about learning assistantships. For assistance with enrolling in UNISTU 176 or 198, please contact Josh Arimond, Certified Learning Assistants Program Coordinator, at jarimond@uci.edu.