Funding

MA Students

For the M.A. degree, financial assistance may be given for a maximum of two academic years (or 4 semesters). Teaching Assistantships (TA) currently pay $15,450 for half-time employment for the academic year (September through May). Half-time graduate student employees receive the same health insurance as faculty and staff for the academic year and summer at no cost to the student. Spouses and families do cost extra and premiums are deducted from the student's salary. Teaching assistants normally help professors who are lecturing to large enrollment classes, such as persuasion, argumentation, nonverbal communication, organizational communication, and interpersonal communication. 

Take a look at the other benefits associated with being a TA on the University's student employment site.

Note: The salaries and fellowship amounts cited in this section are for Fall 2023, and are subject to change. We include this information only to give you a rough estimate of potential income.

PhD Students

For the Ph.D. degree, assistance may be given for a maximum of four academic years (or 8 semesters). Ph.D. students typically start as Teaching Assistants (TAs) and assist faculty with larger courses, but they also have the opportunity to be Assistant Instructors (AIs) in which they are the instructor of record for courses such as Professional Communication Skills or Interviewing. Ph.D. students are currently paid $20,600 for half-time employment for the academic year (September through May). Half-time graduate student employees receive the same health insurance as faculty and staff for the academic year and summer at no cost to the student. Spouses and families can be covered at an additional cost and is deducted from the student's salary. Students may add visual and dental insurance at an additional cost. 

Take a look at the other benefits associated with being an AI on the University's student employment site.

Note: The salaries and fellowship amounts cited in this section are for Fall 2023, and are subject to change. We include this information to give you a rough estimate of potential income.

The University of Texas at Austin
Department of Communication Studies
2504A Whitis Ave. (A1105)
Austin, TX 78712-0115
Phone: 512-471-5251 
Fax: 512-471-3504
Email: commstudies@austin.utexas.edu