The School of Communication Studies awards a limited number of Graduate Assistantships every academic year. Awards for students include a nine-month stipend and a waiver of resident and out-of-state tuition. A limited number of graduate assistantships are also available during the summer semester. These summer appointments provide free tuition for six credits of study in addition to a stipend.

The duties of Graduate Assistants are to teach two classes (or 3 sections of a lecture/lab class), assist with research, or perform a combination of duties. These duties consume 20 hours per week. Most assistants teach our basic communication course, Introduction to Human Communication (COMM 15000). College of Communication and Information Doctoral students may have opportunities to teach other undergraduate courses in Communication Studies after completing a mandatory mentor program with a faculty member.

All graduate appointees must register for at least eight credits (typically, three courses) per semester. Normally, students in good standing at the M.A. level are supported for two years. Assistantships will be reviewed and renewed annually. Assistantship decisions are based on admission qualifications and are highly competitive. Decisions on these awards are usually made in March and no later than April 1st for the Fall semester. Sometimes new assistantship positions become available for Spring Semester. Students admitted administratively or conditionally cannot be considered for these assistantship awards. Students wishing to be considered for graduate assistantship must apply by January 15th ( Application for Graduate Assistantship).