DEPARTMENT FINANCIAL AID

The Sociology Department offers graduate students Graduate Assistantships (GA's - assisting a professor or another graduate student with a class) and Teaching Assistantships (TA's - instructing ones own class; must have a MA and have completed the Teaching Practicum). Assignments are 10 to 20 hours a week. The pay rate is dependent upon position in program; MA students Graduate Assistantship, Ph.D. students (not ABD) Graduate Assistantship, Ph.D. Students (ABD) Graduate Assistantship, Ph.D. Students (not ABD) Teaching, Ph.D. Students (ABD) Teaching. Tuition waivers are included with assistantships.

GUIDELINES

Graduate Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships are awarded and evaluated each semester. Therefore, a GA/TA should not be assumed to be ongoing, but rather contingent on performance and availability of funding.

GA/TA awards are granted according to the following criteria:

1. Evidence of adequate progress towards the degree. Students are expected to complete their coursework and requirements in a timely fashion. Although the exact pace varies and each student’s progress will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, the following guidelines should be kept in mind: two years to complete the M.A., two additional years to complete comprehensive exams, and 2-3 additional years to complete the dissertation. (Note: OGS rule: assistantships to M.A. students can be for up to 5 semesters; Ph.D. students are eligible for a maximum of 10 semesters of aid.)

2. Performance in the program. Performance is assessed according to the student’s grades and performance in courses, number and duration of incompletes, quality of thesis, performance on qualifying exams, colloquium presentation, and other relevant criteria.

3. Prior performance as a GA/TA (if relevant). Performance is assessed according to formal and informal evaluation by the supervising faculty member or instructor, and/or evaluations of teaching (ICES scores, faculty evaluations of teaching), if applicable.

(Note: See also pp. 66-68 in the UNM Catalog 2006-2007)

FELLOWSHIPS

Andrew F. Mellon Foundation Fellowship Information

2011-2012 Mellon Doctoral Fellowships at UNM Application Coversheet

Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for a variety of other fellowships. For more information on available fellowships, follow this link.