Mentored Experience Requirements (MERs)

As part of the university-wide degree requirements, PhD students and some master’s programs (i.e., MFA in Writing and MFA in Dance) at WashU must complete program-defined Mentored Experience Requirements (MERs). The MERs is an accomplishment that is noted on the student’s academic record when complete. Each program established a Mentored Experience Implementation Plan (MEIP) in which required MERs units and pathways for completion are defined and specified in the Bulletin.

Students are advised by their program to plan their assignments and chosen pathways each semester until the MER is completed. Program advisor titles differ by school and program. Some program advisor titles may include Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), Director or Associate Director of Doctoral Studies (DDS or DADS), Graduate Academic Coordinator (GAC)/Graduate Program Administrator (GPA) or Program Coordinator.

Mentored Experience Implementation Plans (MEIPs)

A MEIP is a program-defined plan for students to complete their MERs and engage in Mentored Teaching Experiences (MTE) and/or Mentored Professional Experiences (MPEs). All MEIPs include:

  • Philosophy related to the role of teaching or professional experiences;
  • Preparatory engagement required before engaging in MTE;
  • Approved pathways by your program that specify the number of MTE or MPE units required to complete the MERs.

Mentored Teaching Experiences consist of semester-long assignments as either an Assistant in Instruction (AI) or a Mentored Independent Teacher (MIT). 

Mentored Professional Experience (MPE) are offered by some programs as part of their plan. MPE’s are unpaid experiences that allow students to develop skills and experiences relevant to their intended career outcomes.

No student is allowed to do an MTE or MPE in the same semester and students should not engage in more than 20 MER units cumulatively within a semester.

Programs may offer optional Teaching Intensive Pathways (TIP) or Professional Intensive Pathways (PIP) for students who want to continue to build on the MER requirements after meeting the standard requirement.

To learn specific details about MEIP elements or to find your program’s MEIP, see the Bulletin. Each program provides additional detail under its program degree requirements page.

Resources and Forms

Mentored Experience Student FAQs

Which plan do I follow and where do I find my plan?

MEIPs were updated by programs during AY 2024-25. They are effective as of Fall 2025 and apply to all continuing students who have yet to complete their Mentored Experience Requirements (MERs) and new students starting in Fall 2025. See the Bulletin for your specific plan under your program’s degree requirements. Each program works a little differently but in general you should plan to meet with your program to identify your Required Pathway.

How do I start my Mentored Experience Requirement?

Each program has defined the Preparatory Engagement activities you are required to first complete before beginning any Mentored Teaching Experience (MTE) or Mentored Professional Experience (MPE). For many programs, students complete the Preparatory Engagement activities in their first year of study and then work with their program advisor who will advise them on how to plan for the remaining MTE or MPE engagements.  Check with your program for more information.

How many semesters do I need to enroll in the Mentored Teaching Experience (MTE) Course?

The new MEIPs track MER units instead of semesters of engagement. See your program’s required pathways in the Bulletin and discuss options for assignments and pathway progression with your program.

How do I get assigned for my MTE?

Students plan their assignments with their program.

What are MER units?

MER units for MTE or MPE experiences are determined by the program based on the level of activity needed for each assignment:

Assistant In Instruction (AI)

  • 5 MER units are equivalent to an average of 5 hours per week of engagement and students enroll in their program’s 8005 course (or equivalent) during the semester of engagement.
  • 10 MER units are equivalent to an average of 10 hours per week of engagement and students enroll in their program’s 8010 course (or equivalent) during the semester of engagement
  • 15 MER units are equivalent to an average of 15 hours per week of engagement and students enroll in their program’s 8015 course (or equivalent) during the semester of engagement.

Mentored Independent Teaching (MIT)

  • 20 MER units are equivalent to an average of 20 hours per week of engagement and students enroll in their program’s 8020 course (or equivalent) during the semester of engagement.

Mentored Professional Experience (MPE)

  • 20 MER units are equivalent to an average of 20 hours per week of engagement and students enroll in their program’s 8120 course (or equivalent) during the semester of engagement.with their program.
Am I able to teach as a primary instructor as part of the Mentored Teaching Experience (MTE)?

Mentored Independent Teaching (MIT) allows students to be listed as the primary instructor. If your program allows for Mentored Independent Teaching (MIT) as part of their Mentored Experience Requirements (MERs), you will need to discuss opportunities with your advisor and seek their approval.  If approved by your advisor and program to conduct MIT, you will use the Mentoring MTE Plan form to outline the expectations with the faculty MIT mentor for the course and submit it to your program coordinator or advisor when you register for the MIT course numbered 8020 before your semester of engagement. 

Can I use a paid experience to count toward my department’s Mentored Experience Requirements?

No, paid experiences may not be counted toward your degree requirements. 

May I teach during summer session at WashU for the School of Continuing or Professional Studies (CAPS) as part of my Mentored Teaching Experience (MTE)?

With permission from your program, you may teach during the summer session as part of your MTE. Note that paid experiences may not be counted toward your MER. Additionally, no student is allowed to teach for pay before they have completed their Mentored Experience Requirements (MERs).

I have completed my program’s Mentored Experience Requirements (MERs). Can I continue to teach or engage in a professional experience?

The guardrails surrounding the Mentored Experience Requirement allows students flexibility, agency, and choice for additional teaching or professional experiences at the conclusion of their program’s defined degree requirement.

Some programs’ Mentored Experience Implementation Plans articulate a Teaching Intensive Pathway (TIP) or Professional Intensive Pathway (PIP). These options allow students to voluntarily elect to continue teaching or engage in professional experiences under the formalized mentorship structure of the Mentored Experience Requirement. These experiences remain unpaid. Students declare their interest in a TIP or PIP after discussing the opportunity with their program. The program coordinator for the program must also be notified to ensure the student is set up in a cohort for TIP or PIP in Workday.

After completing the Mentored Experience Requirement, students may alternatively pursue teaching or professional opportunities outside of the formalized mentorship structure of the Mentored Experience Requirement. In these cases, students must seek paid opportunities and may not pursue a TIP or PIP.

My department does not offer the Mentored Professional Experience (MPE) as an option to fulfill the Mentored Experience Requirement. Can I still engage in an MPE?

No, MPE is an academic experience that is applied toward a degree requirement. However, students may pursue paid professional experiences that encourage the exploration of diverse careers. Students should always heed the part-time employment policy when considering engagement in a paid professional experience.

Can I participate in a paid Mentored Professional Experience (MPE)?

No, an MPE is an academic experience that is applied toward a degree requirement.