The School of Communication Studies awards a limited number of Graduate Assistantships. Awards for doctoral students include a nine-month stipend ($11,000 for 2006-2007) and a waiver of resident and out-of-state tuition. At the master's level, the award includes a nine month stipend ($7,300 for 2006-2007) and waiver of tuition. 

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available in summers. 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). Doctoral students 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 and at the Ph.D. level for three years.

Assistantship decisions are based on admission qualifications and are highly competitive. Decisions on these awards are usually made in March for the Fall semester. They are announced in early April. Sometimes new assistantship positions become available for Spring Semester. Students admitted administratively or conditionally cannot be considered for these assistantship awards. Graduate students with a master's degree and college teaching experience may qualify for part-time teaching.