The Distinguished Teaching Award (DTA) is a highly competitive award granted by Graduate Division and accompanied by a monetary prize. Based on the strength of nomination letters and the nominee’s student teaching evaluations, a committee appointed by Graduate Division will award 2-3 DTAs annually to graduate students who have shown exceptional teaching ability. DTA Award recipients are recognized during the annual Graduate Division Excellence in Teaching Banquet held in the Spring quarter.

The Outstanding Teaching Assistant (OTA) Award is a departmental-level award granted by Graduate Division on behalf of the departments to recognize teaching excellence within specific fields. As many as 100 graduate Teaching Assistants receive this award annually. OTA Award recipients are recognized during the annual Graduate Division Excellence in Teaching Banquet held in the Spring term.