Associate instructorships (AIs) undertake up to 20 hrs/week of teaching or lecturing responsibilities, typically in laboratory classes or discussion sessions for introductory geology courses. A training session is held annually at the beginning of the Fall semester to prepare and familiarize AIs with the requirements and responsibilities of these positions. University policy requires international students whose native language is not English to pass a test in English proficinecy prior to any AI appointment involving classroom teaching. Such tests, involving oral and written examinations, are held in Bloomington several times during the year. Entering students whose native language is not English are expected to pass this test during their first semester in residence, and to thereby become eligible for continued AI support. In exceptional cases, this examination can be waived for students whose educational training has been in English.

AIs receive a stipend and tuition fees for 30 credit hrs/year. Students are responsible for unremittable fee charges and fees levied for student activities, health, technology and transportation charges. Student AI stipends are for 10 months (i.e., Fall and Spring semesters) and may be supplemented during the summer by research funds.