Teaching Assistantships
Each year the Department receives a budget for the funding of graduate assistantships. In addition, some grants include funding for graduate assistantships. We choose most graduate assistants on a semester-by-semester basis depending on needs and funding.
The Department Chair announces the deadline for applications. Completed applications should be submitted to the Graduate Program Assistant’s office (1115 Turlington) by 4 p.m. on the announced deadline. Applications are ranked by a committee of faculty in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator, who forwards a ranked list to the Department Chair. The Department Chair makes the assignment of assistantships.
Selection criteria include maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher, appointing a supervisory committee in a timely manner, clearing incompletes on the transcript, maintaining minimum registration requirements, time in the program, and completion of degree requirements in a timely matter (particularly completing the Comprehensive Examination, receiving the MA, completing the Qualifying Examination, and making progress on the dissertation).
ABD students in good standing have highest priority; first-year students in the Master's program ordinarily have lowest priority. Students holding assistantships who have fulfilled their responsibilities satisfactorily and who continue to make progress toward the degree will receive priority.
The maximum number of state-funded department assistantships a student can receive is six, whether they are classified as TA or grader. This maximum does not include terms serving as a teaching associate or summer assistantships.
