Graduate Program

An advantage of being a graduate student in the Communication Studies Department is the diversity in researchers and their multiplicity of methodologies. Our faculty use and teach a wide range of research methods including experimental, ethnographic, critical, and survey methods.

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Communication Studies » Graduate » Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance through the Department of Communication Studies is available mainly through teaching assignments. We have a number of teaching assistantship (TA) positions and assistant instructor (AI) positions for properly qualified graduate students. We also have a few fellowships offered by the College of Communication and the University.

All admitted applicants for the Department of Communication Studies graduate program are considered for financial assistance, so no additional application materials are necessary.

Students who are Teaching Assistants or Assistant Instructors for the University of Texas who are employed half-time and are employed for more than four and a half months earn the following benefits:

  • They are entitled to pay in-state tuition, even if they are non-residents.
  • The University of Texas Office of Graduate Studies awards tuition assistance to TAs and AIs that partially covers 9 hours of tuition each semester. This award is considered taxable income, so federal income tax is deducted. Students may use the education credit on their federal income tax.
  • Premiums for medical insurance for TAs and AIs are paid by the University of Texas Office of Graduate Studies; therefore, graduate students receive the same health insurance as faculty and staff at not cost to them for the entire year; not just the academic year. Insurance for dependants is available for additional cost. Texas has no state income tax.

When grants are available, graduate research assistantships are awarded using the same criteria as teaching assistantships; salary rates are also the same.

In addition, a certain percentage of non-resident students who are awarded a scholarship of $1,000 or more (by a scholarship committee officially recognized by the administration of The University) are eligible to pay the same tuition as Texas residents.

Due to limited funds and the large number of students who are eligible for funding, competition for departmental funding is great. For information concerning University financial aid, contact the Office of Student Financial Services.

Assistant Instructors

For the Ph.D. degree, assistance may be given for a maximum of four academic years (or 8 semesters). For the combined M.A. and Ph.D., assistance may be given for a maximum of five academic years (or 10 semesters).

Fellowships

Fellowships are for students who are currently enrolled or have been enrolled previously in a graduate program at UT Austin. Selection of continuing fellowship recipients is quite unlike selection of recruitment candidates. Emphasis is placed on performance since the student entered the Graduate School, not on GRE scores or undergraduate GPA. The Graduate Coordinator will call for applications for Fellowships in December for the coming academic year.

AI/TA Course Appointment Policy

Communication Studies Department graduate students can be funded in two ways, either as multi-semester commitment or on a semester-by-semester basis.

Teaching Assistant/Assistant Instructor Hiring Policy

A decision to hire a graduate student as a teaching assistant or assistant instructor is complex, requiring consideration of many factors. Ultimate responsibility for hiring rests with the Chair of the Department, who seeks input and guidance from as many relevant sources as possible. The process by which decisions are made has not been and cannot be reduced to a simple formula or invariant ranking of criteria. This document attempts to explain the procedures.

Summer Hiring Policy

The primary criterion is to further the educational mission of the Department. Graduate students who can teach or assist with courses that need to be taught receive the highest priority. Beyond this primary criterion, we take into consideration:

Teaching Assistants

For the M.A. degree, financial assistance may be given for a maximum of two academic years (or 4 semesters). For the combined M.A. and Ph.D., assistance may be given for a maximum of five academic years (or 10 semesters). Teaching Assistantships (TA) are awarded to both M.A. and Ph.D. students.