Graduate Student Financial Support

Via assistantships and instructorships, CMLL strives to offer financial support to promising graduate students enrolled in our programs. Support is often based on the typical academic year (fall-spring), and may include summer assignments. Applications to be considered for financial support can be found on the respective graduate program pages. (Note: Enrollment in a CMLL graduate program is not an automatic guarantee of support.)

When financial support is offered, it is usually in the form of employment in one of two position types: Teaching Assistant (TA) or Graduate Part-time Instructor (GPTI). Further detail about these positions appears below.

A Teaching Assistant (TA) position is supportive in nature, both on the employment and professional development levels. Teaching Assistants typically provide support to a faculty member's instruction (completing a variety of duties), or may act as the leaders of discussion sections (which run in concert with large enrollment courses). During the time as a TA, the graduate student receives training, guidance, and mentoring on how to effectively teach in their discipline, manage a classroom, devise materials, and other important related tasks. A TA is not eligible to be the instructor of record for a course, and commonly has less than 18 graduate hours in the subject area being taught.

A Graduate Part-time Instructor (GPTI) is usually an instructor of record, meaning that the individual is generally responsible for the teaching and care of his or her own own class(es). Even so, the graduate student still receives a robust amount of training, guidance and further professional development. As opportunities allow, and as the graduate student continues to grow professionally, more complex responsibilities may be assigned, including the teaching of upper level courses (beyond the lower-level "two-year" language sequence). Greater exercise is then available in the development of course content, implementing various pedagogical strategies, devising syllabi, and similar professional responsibilities. Typically, GPTIs possess 18 graduate hours in the subject area being taught, or have native/1st language ability and meet several other firm criteria.

Stipend/Salary Requirements

It is extremely important to recall that all supported graduate students are expected to enroll full-time, and to successfully maintain that enrollment (i.e., 9 credit hours or more in long semesters, at least 3 hours or more during any summer session in which employed). There is also the expectation, unless carefully articulated in advance, that all course enrollment will be within CMLL. Exceptions, such as dual or interdisciplinary programs, completing a minor, the pursuit of professional certification, or similar endeavors, can be discussed with relevant advisors.

Most Teaching Assistants and Graduate Part-time Instructors work at half-time (i.e., 50%), although exceptions occassionally occur. In addition, as departmental and university employees, all supported graduate students are expected to view their employment responsibilities seriously. All instructional personnel are expected to be effective, approachable teachers, and to demonstrate good departmental citizenship. There is the preconception that all employees will perform well, and enjoy all positive aspects of departmental employment.

Tip:  An offer of employment with the department is not a "contract" with the University, or any other binding agreement.

Stipend/Salary Ranges

The initial stipend a supported graduate student can expect depends on several factors:  the educational level of the person, the academic program concerned (MA/PhD), professional experience, and the type of position actually assigned (these are usually all interconnected).

The salaries indicated below are for one academic year (two long semesters, typically fall through spring), and are at 50% (meaning half-time):

Some examples:  A beginning graduate student at the MA level typically starts out as a Teaching Assistant (TA), and thus earns $9,350 for the academic year (September through May). Upon completing 18 graduate credit hours, the student is eligible to move to the Graduate Part-time Instructor category ("GPTI"). If so promoted, the stipend then increases to $11,350 (the "raise" will be effective in the next fiscal year following). Promotion from one category to the next depends on more factors than just earning the 18 hours alone, but completing the requisite number of graduate hours is a crucial component.

Doctoral students typically begin as Graduate Part-time Instructors, and initially earn $13,350 for the academic year. Upon reaching ABD ("All But Dissertation") status, such students earn $14,350 (effective in the next fiscal year following that achievement of ABD status).

In addition, annual merit raises may be awarded to those eligible employees in any given year who have demonstrated exceptional performance and successful execution of all duties (including being effective teachers and demonstrating good departmental citizenship).

Fee & Tuition Waivers

Being supported by the department, at least at 50%, triggers in-state tuition, and invokes a number of fee waivers. This is one central benefit of being supported by the department. CMLL Advisors can assist individual graduate students with forecasting how such fee and tuition waivers will affect their own academic billing scenario.

Please also see the Graduate School Financial Information Web page for additional generalized information on tuition and related costs at TTU.

Health Insurance Benefits

Under many situations, supported graduate students are eligible to enroll in the State of Texas Employees Group Health Insurance Plan, which is administered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Texas. The State of Texas pays one half of the required amount for basic employee-only coverage. As noted in the chart above, all stipends include a $150.00 monthly augmentation to assist in the payment of insurance benefits (this augmentation may not cover the entire amount required from the employee's cost sharing, but should represent a significant portion). More information on the State of Texas health insurance plan can be found at the TTU Benefits Office Web site.

In addition, the TTU Student Health Plans site provides options for students needing health insurance. This insurance is separate from the State of Texas Group Insurance Plan mentioned above.

Important:  Graduate students who are of international origin (i.e., not American citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents) must meet specific requirements for health insurance. Details can be obtained from the TTU Student Health Services site. According to this site, international students are automatically enrolled in the TTU Academic Health Plans coverage unless a waiver process is completed. The costs for this insurance will be added to the student's bill from TTU Student Business Services (along with any regular academic tuition or fee charges).

Current and potential graduate students are encouraged to please ask the departmental administration about any questions concerning health insurance coverages.

More Technical Definition of Positions

TA—Teaching Assistant    A graduate student not eligible to be the instructor of record for a course. Typically has less than 18 graduate hours in the subject area being taught; generally works in an assistive capacity to a faculty member, and/or may act as leader of discussion sections in relevant large-enrollment courses. TAs are usually enrolled in the program in which they are employed (or a closely related program). TAs are often automatically promoted to GPTI status once the requisite course hours are obtained (pending satisfactory teaching/job performance). Note: Promotion in title does not guarantee a monetary promotion, however; this depends on the time of year/budget cycle in which the change occurs.

GPTI—Graduate Part-time Instructor    A graduate student who is eligible to be the instructor of record for a course. Typically possesses 18 graduate hours in the subject area being taught, or has native/1st language ability and meets several other criteria. GPTIs are usually enrolled in the program in which they are employed (or a closely related program).