Mentored Experience Requirement (MER)

Both full and part-time PhD students admitted to the program are required to complete the Mentored Experience Requirement (MER) as outlined in the program’s MEIP.

No. The MER is a degree requirement applied to all PhD students (and a few MFA students). A student’s source of funding bears no impact on the MER. Students supported by external sources, such as the NSF, NIH, or a training grant have designated time for academic activities, including coursework, teaching requirements, and other related requirements.

Yes, a student may pursue more than one Assistant in Instruction (AI) activity per semester if the opportunity is available, the program supports this approach, and the overall weekly average of all AI assignments does not equate to more than 20 hours per week, corresponding to 20 MER units.

No. The purpose of the plan is to set clear expectations for students and faculty regarding the degree requirements. Students interested in engaging further may seek to be an MIT or opt for the Teaching Intensive Pathway (if a component of the MEIP). The student may only seek paid employment in instructional support at the university AFTER they have successfully completed their Mentored Experience Requirement.

Every department should engage the chair, the DGS or graduate director, and their faculty in discussion about how best to determine MER unit weight (using increments of 5) for AI assignments. This weighting corresponds to the time per week a student devotes on average per week for the AI assignment. A recommended approach is to review those courses that have previously utilized an AI to understand average weekly time commitments. Department or program leadership then determines the amount and types of support needed for each course and assigns a standard MER unit weight to the course that applies regardless of which faculty member teaching the course. All Mentored Independent Teaching (MIT) assignments carry a weight of 20 MER units. All Mentored Professional Experiences (MPE) carry a weight of 20 MER units.

Generally, no. In order to establish equity within the MTE experience, the MER unit assignments for AIs should not vary by faculty member or semester. However, this may occur with substantive changes in enrollment or when programs have included in their MEIP how MER unit weighting is based on differing AI duties. This differentiation should not be based upon a faculty’s preference, but rather the advanced experience needed by the student given their previous experience. This differentiation in AI role and weighting must be planned in advance of the semester and incorporated into the MTE Mentoring Plan for each AI. If a program plans to have MER unit weighting based upon duties for the role rather than class, this should be stated in their MEIP. Changes should be determined in consultation between program leadership (chair, director, DGS, and DUS in consultation with program or department faculty). Any determination must be made prior to the start of a given semester.

Teaching in CAPS or another school or department as part of the MTE is only permissible when faculty mentorship is clearly embedded into the student’s pedagogical experience. The same procedural expectations of the Mentored Independent Teaching (MIT) are required including the MTE Mentoring Plan, registration under MER course 8020,  and permission from the home program and director to pursue an MIT outside of the home program or department. Any engagement in teaching as part of the MER is a degree requirement. Students may not receive both credit and pay for such activities. Additionally, no student is allowed to teach for pay before they have completed their Mentored Experience Requirement (MER). 

Yes. The same guidelines apply to students interested in teaching a summer class. Students must enroll in the MER course 8020 for Mentored Independent Teaching and use the MTE Mentoring Plan. The MIT will count toward their cumulative MER unit total. Note: If the student has not completed their program-defined MER, they are not eligible to apply or serve as an instructor for pay or be paid for instructional activities at WashU.

A Mentored Professional Experience (MPE) is defined as an unpaid experience for students that allows them to develop skills and experiences relevant to their intended career outcomes. An MPE should be substantive and meaningful in nature, akin to an internship. An MPE requires at least 150 hours and no more than 180 hours of total engagement for a semester or summer and is allocated 20 MERs units. Students must find their MPE and an appropriate MPE Site Advisor. Students fill out an MPE Registration Request and Evaluation Form to seek approval from their program (and school, if necessary) and then use this form with their MPE Site Advisor and for evaluation. Students register for the MERs Course 8120 during their semester of engagement. Given the considerable time commitment incurred in pursuing an MPE, students are not permitted to engage in an MPE and an MTE (AI, MIT) in the same semester. Students may also pursue only one MPE in a semester.

No, Mentored Professional Experiences (MPEs) are optional but may provide an important professional experience for certain disciplines.

Yes. Up to six (6) MPE assignments can be required in your plan. Any MEIP that contains only MPEs or both MTEs and MPEs may have 120 units as their total number of MER units. Students who wish to pursue other professional engagements are encouraged to identify paid opportunities after completion of the MER. 

No. Given the significant time commitment associated with pursuing an MPE, students are not permitted to engage in an MPE and an MTE (AI, MIT) in the same semester.Students may also pursue only one MPE in a semester.

Mentorship stems from the culture of the school, department, program, and disciplinary field. Besides the program’s preparatory engagement activities that prepare students for MTE, a faculty member provides pedagogical and teaching mentorship during the MTE. The faculty teaching the course, or overseeing a student’s independent teaching, uses the MTE Mentoring Plan to initiate the discussion about goals and expectations for the MTE. This form should be completed prior to the start of the AI or MIT assignment. Faculty should be aware that some students may need or desire additional mentorship in their pedagogical training.

No. The student cannot be paid for an AI or MIT experience. However, the department or program must agree to pay associated travel costs during the period of time required of the student as the course AI or MIT. If a student is required to travel to perform their AI or MIT duties, any costs incurred for travel must be paid in accordance with relevant WashU travel policy.

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.

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.

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.

Students plan their assignments with their program.

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.

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. 

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

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).

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.

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.

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