Teaching Assistantships
The Department of Communication&Journalismoffersa limited number ofteaching assistantships for Ph.D. students andM.A. students. All assistantships are competitivelyawarded.If you wish to apply for an assistantship, youmustupload the Assistantship Interest statement as part of your application(seeApplicationProcedurespage, item7).
Assistantships are considered term appointments.Teaching assistants typically teach two courses per semester (four total for the year). This load is considered a 0.5 FTE (full-time equivalent). The financial package for teaching assistants who teach four courses per yearconsistsofa stipend for teaching, tuition waiver for up to 24 credits per year (12 per semester), and health insurance.
Funding for the teaching assistantship is for the duration of your graduate program (four years for Ph.D. students and two years for M.A. students),pending three conditions: (a) teaching performance (b)personal academic performance, and (c)departmentalbudgetary conditions.
Resources for Teaching Assistants
We work very hard to ensure that your teaching experience is rewarding. We want to help you achieve your goal of being an excellent teacher. Therefore, we offer the following resources:
- FacultyMentoringandCoordination.At C&J,teaching assistantsareresponsible for teachingtheirown classes (i.e.,for most classes,TAs are not assistants,but the primary teachersfor the courses). However,facultyserve as coursecoordinators and mentors whoprovide support to help you be successful in your teaching. The support includes meeting before the semester to assist with course and syllabus preparation and regular meetings during the semester to discuss ongoing issues in the course (e.g.,class activities, grading, lectures, problems,etc.).The meetings provide the opportunity to share what is working, and what is not, in your own classes.
- Teaching Trainingand Resources.At C&J,teaching assistantshave access totraining sessionsandotheropportunities to enhance their teaching skillsand build a solid portfolio. All teaching assistants take theone-credit courseC&J 584 Teaching Communication at UNMduring their first Fall semester in the program.In addition,UNM’s Center for Teaching & Learningoffers a diversity ofresourcesand supportfor graduateinstructors (https://ctl.unm.edu/).
Research and Other Assistantships
The Department of Communication& Journalism mayalsoofferhasothergraduateassistantshipscontingent onavailabilityof funding.The funding for these projects is variableandoften depends onfaculty researchgrants or othercampusresourcesand initiativesavailable.Check with theGraduate Programs Coordinator and Department Chair to learn more about these opportunities.
Cost of Attending UNM
The following information may be useful for you in planning the cost of attending the University of New Mexico. Tuition ratesfor graduate studentsandcost of attendancefor the 2024-2025academic yearcan be found on theFinancial Aidpage.Be aware that rates will vary from year to year.
