Opportunities for Financial Assistance
Teaching and research assistantships are usually available each year on a competitive basis. Both types of assistantships provide a stipend to cover student living expenses and either a waiver, or funds, to cover tuition. Health insurance is also available at a moderate cost to the student. Both types of assistantships require approximately 16 hours of work per week. Students on assistantships must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester.
Teaching assistants at the M.A. level work under the supervision of a faculty member or instructor, and typically assist in the work load required to teach sociology courses. Research assistants at both the M.A. and Ph.D. levels are assigned to specific research projects and work directly under the supervision of the principal investigator responsible for the project. This provides valuable mentoring and experience in conducting social science research.
A particular strength of the program is that Ph.D. students can expect to gain excellent teaching experience while enrolled in the program. Ph.D. students on teaching assistantships are provided instructional training through a teaching proseminar and are typically assigned to teach sections of Introduction to Sociology. Advanced Ph.D. students who prove to be good teachers may be assigned to other courses, depending on departmental needs.
Students awarded assistantships can expect to receive support for two years at the M.A. level and three years at the Ph.D. level. Additional support may be granted based on a student's performance in the program.
Announcements of awards of financial support are made in March or April of each year.
Teaching and research assistantships are usually available each year on a competitive basis. Both types of assistantships provide a stipend to cover student living expenses and either a waiver, or funds, to cover tuition. Health insurance is also available at a moderate cost to the student. Both types of assistantships require approximately 16 hours of work per week. Students on assistantships must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester.
Teaching assistants at the M.A. level work under the supervision of a faculty member or instructor, and typically assist in the work load required to teach sociology courses. Research assistants at both the M.A. and Ph.D. levels are assigned to specific research projects and work directly under the supervision of the principal investigator responsible for the project. This provides valuable mentoring and experience in conducting social science research.
A particular strength of the program is that Ph.D. students can expect to gain excellent teaching experience while enrolled in the program. Ph.D. students on teaching assistantships are provided instructional training through a teaching proseminar and are typically assigned to teach sections of Introduction to Sociology. Advanced Ph.D. students who prove to be good teachers may be assigned to other courses, depending on departmental needs.
Students awarded assistantships can expect to receive support for two years at the M.A. level and three years at the Ph.D. level. Additional support may be granted based on a student's performance in the program.
Announcements of awards of financial support are made in March or April of each year.