In addition to the above-mentioned requirements, the following criteria applies to students seeking a GTA appointment:

1.To be appointed as a GTA, students must (a) have a master's degree in a discipline related to the course to be taught, (b) have completed at least 30 semester hours of graduate coursework in a related discipline, or (c) have professional certification(s) deemed equivalent to a master's degree.

2.All doctoral students must take BA 9200, Seminar in University Teaching, before or during either the first or second semester of teaching. This course is taught each fall and spring semester. Prior teaching experience will not exempt a student from this requirement. If a student did not take BA 9200 during his/her first semester of teaching and has a scheduling conflict his/her second semester as a GTA, a deferral may be required. A written request for deferral must be made to the student's Doctoral Coordinator. With concurrence of the Doctoral Coordinator, the Director of the Doctoral Program may grant a deferral.

3.Students who are non-native speakers of English must be able to adequately communicate in order to be appointed a GTA.  The academic unit will determine through coursework and interviews if the student has the necessary language skills.  Poor performance in the classroom due to weak language skills may result in the loss of the GTA appointment.

Doctoral students serving as GTAs should become familiar with the university's policies on student and faculty obligations, academic honesty and students' right to due process, as well as procedures regarding hardship withdrawals and grades of "I" (Incomplete). It is the responsibility of a GTA to be familiar with university policies and to follow correct procedures.

Graduate Research Assistantships - The GRA position involves assisting a professor in conducting research or performing support duties for the academic unit. The types of GRA assignments can vary widely. Examples might include: assisting a professor with library research; executing (statistical) data analysis programs; or providing assistance in the gathering or coding of research data. These assignments will probably enhance research skills, but students cannot be guaranteed each GRA assignment will result in a perfect match between the research needs of the faculty and the learning needs of the student.

In many cases, the GRA assignment will result in a publishing opportunity for the student and the faculty member. This is ideal, but not always possible. GRAs are expected to work an average of 13.5 hours per week.

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Temporary Instructorships

The appointment of dissertation-stage students as Temporary Instructors (TIs) is intended to benefit both the student and the CBA. Appointment as a TI provides the doctoral student with income during the year in which they are working full-time on the dissertation, increasing the probability of timely completion of the degree. From the college's perspective, TI appointments provide competent instructors capable of staffing most of the college's courses, with the exception of graduate courses.  Students on temporary visas may wish to check with the Offices of International Student and Scholar Services to make sure that the TI appointment will not violate any immigration policies concerning employment and student status.

A TI is appointed for one academic year. An appointment for a second year may be granted, but a TI cannot be employed in that position for more than two academic years. While TIs are not eligible for a tuition waiver, they will receive exemption from the college's continuous registration requirement.

To be considered for a Temporary Instructorship, a student must have passed the dissertation proposal defense demonstrated superior academic standing (for example, a GPA of 3.5 or better demonstrated satisfactory classroom teaching ability and a background of teaching some courses where there is a projected shortage of instructors during the period of appointment.

A TI may not be engaged in any other significant form of employment during the period of appointment. Appointments are requested by the chair/director of the academic unit and must be approved by the associate dean with corresponding responsibility.

Tuition Waivers

Students receiving a GRA or GTA appointment will automatically receive a tuition waiver. No special application is necessary. Such students are still required to pay fees assessed by the university (including student activity, athletics, health and registration fees -- international applicants will be assessed insurance fees). Note that students receiving TI appointments do not receive a tuition waiver.

Students who have not been hired as a GRA or GTA and fall under the continuous registration regulation may complete an application to have out-of-state tuition waived in the college's Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services or discuss alternatives with the assistant director of the doctoral program.

Fellowships and Scholarships

RCB Fellowships and Scholarships - A number of fellowships and scholarships are available, ranging from $500 to $10,000 per year. Such stipends are awarded in addition to the amounts received for GRA and GTA appointments. Information on specific fellowships and scholarships is available from the departmental Doctoral Coordinator.

Other Funding Sources - Publications available from the Reference Librarian in the University Library which list funding sources include: College Blue Books and Scholarships, Peterson's College and Money Handbook and Financial Aids for Higher Education. As most scholarship and fellowship money is allocated by the early spring for the fall semester, students should begin to search for funding sources a year prior to the expected date of enrollment.

Student Loans

For information regarding loan programs available to students, contact the Office of the Director of Student Financial Services (404/413-2400). Since most loan money is committed months before registration, early application is essential.