Printer FriendlyAssistantships
The Department offers several graduate assistantships each year, including both Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Research Assistantships (RA). Most assistantships are half-time positions, requiring nine hours per week of work when school is in session. TA's are assigned to individual faculty supervisors and/or to the graduate program office to assist in various forms of research, community work and program development. TAs are not assigned formal teaching responsibilities, but they are offered the opportunity to assist faculty occasionally through guest lectures, leading discussion groups, organizing field trips and other methods. RA's work with faculty members who have grants. They may conduct research, collect and analyze data, undertake literature searches, perform grant writing, and participate in other related activities. As much as possible, we attempt to match students with faculty supervisors based on shared interests.
Half-time TA and RA positions are paid yearly stipends. In-state residents also are given full remission of all tuition and fees; out-of-state and international students are given remission of tuition but are responsible for fees.
Assistantships are limited to full-time students. However, incoming as well as current students are eligible. Our assistantships are competitive, and there is a separate application process. Announcement of assistantships for the coming academic year is made in mid-April, at which time all eligible students may apply. Students who have been accepted prior to the time of the announcement for the coming academic year are notified by mail of the opportunity to apply. For those students not receiving assistantships, the department can help in securing part-time employment in the student's area of interest.