Math Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) have a variety of teaching roles. A standard GTA position is referred to as a 50% GTA, with teaching expected to involve 50% of the graduate student’s effort. Incoming students participate in the GTA Mentorship program that includes direct input from a faculty mentor, including providing course materials and giving course visits. GTAs participating in the Mentorship program achieve significantly higher student evaluations on average than those not in the program, and the undergraduate students of Mentored GTAs perform significantly better on common finals. GTAs in the Mentorship program progress to higher-level courses and greater autonomy, with a goal of approval to have sole responsibility for classes.
In addition to the GTA stipend, tuition and maintenance fees are paid for the academic year and the following summer term. All students receiving a minimum of 25% time GTA award will also receive student insurance as part of their assistantship. The only fee that must be paid by the GTA at registration is the Facilities, Health, Library, Technology, University Programs and Services Fee (depending on the status of the student). Stipends may be augmented or teaching reduced by fellowship or grant money for exceptionally well qualified students. PhD students in their final summer before their expected graduation date are normally provided a summer departmental fellowship to support research towards finishing their dissertation. Other summer University funding opportunities are also available.
Students who are awarded a GTA position can expect to receive continued support as long they maintain good academic progress towards the PhD and perform well in their teaching and other assigned responsibilities. Good progress includes passing the Diagnostic Exam, offered in August and May, by the beginning of the second year in the graduate program and passing the preliminary exams according to the schedule in the Graduate Catalog.
Applications received before January 15th will receive primary consideration on a competitive basis for new GTA positions for the following academic year. Awards may be made as early as January 25 for outstanding applicants. Applications received after January 15th will be considered for GTA positions remaining after the initial awards have been made.
Additional funding opportunities may also be found here.