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Graduate assistantships with competitive stipends and waiver of out-of-state tuition are available to qualified applicants. Assistantship responsibilities include teaching mass communication fundamentals, serving as supervisor of student contests, working in supervisory roles at student media outlets, assisting in computer labs or assisting faculty with teaching and research. Most assistantships are assigned starting fall semesters, but assistantships may be available for students who wish to begin the graduate program in the spring or summer. Assistantships are usually not awarded during summer terms.

To be appointed to a graduate assistantship, students must apply to the graduate adviser, School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Applications for assistantships may be obtained from the school's graduate adviser or by clicking on the following link: Assistantship Application

Preference is given to students with experience in mass communication and to those with high grades and test scores. Students must be employed for at least 20 hours per week to receive the out-of-state tuition waiver.

Instructional Assistantships

Instructional assistants earn a first year base salary of about $950 a month and work 20 hours per week. The student's time is mainly spent teaching writing labs and working with faculty members on work assigned to them.

Teaching Assistantships

Students with 18 hours of graduate work may be appointed as teaching assistants with responsibility as teacher of record.

Eligibility for all assistantships

To be eligible for assistantships, students must have unconditional admission status, should be enrolled in at least nine graduate credit hours and have a 3.0 GPA. All International students must be in possession of the appropriate lawful visas such as an F-1 or a J-1 in order to participate in graduate assistantships.

Assistantships are renewable generally for a total of four long semesters if students are favorably reviewed by their faculty supervisors at the end of each semester. Instructional assistants are expected to behave professionally by meeting all deadlines and attending to all duties as they would in a professional setting. All assignments and reappointments are made by the Graduate Adviser in consultation with the school's director.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication is also committed to supporting Graduate Student research activities and involvement in professional organizations. Limited travel funds may be awarded to students who present papers at or attend conferences. Limited travel funds are also available from the Graduate College for making presentations or presenting papers at professional meetings.