Graduate Assistantships at Wayne State University

Graduate programs at Wayne State University offer various funding opportunities, including competitive graduate assistantships, fellowships, and tuition scholarships, to support both Ph.D. and M.A. students. Each year, a limited number of these awards are available based on merit, academic standing, and program requirements.

Renewing Graduate Funding

Current graduate students wishing to renew their assistantship, fellowship, or scholarship must reapply each year, as positions are not automatically renewed. Renewals are granted based on factors such as academic progress (e.g., GPA, timely coursework completion), career development (e.g., research publications or conference presentations), and active participation in departmental activities.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) either assist faculty members or lead their own undergraduate courses, depending on their prior teaching experience. Responsibilities may include creating course materials, grading, proctoring exams, lecturing, and facilitating discussions. GTAs receive a stipend, housing allowance, tuition scholarship, and subsidized health benefits. Students must enroll in a minimum of six graduate credits each term and generally take two to three courses or dissertation credits. Although GTAs are prioritized for Ph.D. students, master’s students may also be awarded these positions based on their teaching potential and departmental needs.

Thomas C. Rumble Fellowships

The Thomas C. Rumble Fellowship supports Ph.D. students through specific stages of their training, helping optimize their academic progress. This fellowship provides a stipend, housing allowance, tuition scholarship, and subsidized health benefits. Rumble Fellows are expected to be fully enrolled (minimum of eight credits) and participate actively in Graduate School events. Fellowship recipients cannot work outside the university but may hold an additional university position with approval for up to 10 hours per week. A Rumble Fellowship may be renewed once, based on satisfactory progress.

Graduate Professional Scholarships (GPS)

The Graduate Professional Scholarship (GPS) covers resident tuition for six to ten graduate credits each fall and winter semester. Applications open in winter, with a deadline of April 1 each year, and are announced in early June. Applicants must reapply each year to be eligible for future awards.

New Graduate Assistant Applicants

Graduate students not currently holding an assistantship or fellowship can apply for a position for the next academic year. Decisions are based on academic standing, departmental needs, and availability. The Graduate Committee reviews applications and recommends candidates to the department chairperson, who makes final appointments in consultation with the committee.

Types of Assistantships Available

1. Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs): GTAs work about 20 hours weekly, performing instructional duties in undergraduate courses. Their roles may include grading, assisting in labs, leading discussion sections, and sometimes teaching courses independently.

2. Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs): GSAs also work 20 hours weekly, assisting with research, administrative, or scholarly activities under faculty supervision. GSAs do not usually perform instructional duties but contribute to university projects and academic initiatives.

3. Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs): GRAs, often doctoral students, conduct research directly tied to their academic program and degree requirements. These roles involve working approximately 20 hours per week in research areas relevant to their thesis or dissertation.

How to Apply

Not all graduate assistantship opportunities are managed directly by the Graduate School; many are offered at the department level. Department websites typically list available positions and provide contact information for further inquiries. Students are encouraged to inquire early, ideally a year in advance, for fall semester assistantships.

For international students, these funding opportunities represent an important way to support their academic journey, gain valuable teaching or research experience, and engage in the academic community while completing their graduate studies.

Please check your programs at: https://wayne.edu/programs

Graduate Assistantships, Fellowships, and Scholarships for International Students

Wayne State University

Main Points

Graduate Assistantship, Fellowship, and Scholarship Opportunities

Graduate Assistantship, Fellowship, and Scholarship Opportunities

• Available Positions

  • Graduate Assistantships, Fellowships, and Tuition Scholarships for Ph.D. and M.A. students.

  • Limited, competitive positions awarded annually based on academic progress, departmental needs, and availability.

• Renewal Requirements

  • Current recipients must reapply annually (positions are not automatically renewed).

  • Criteria for renewal include:

    • Academic progress (e.g., GPA, coursework completion).

    • Career preparation (e.g., conference presentations, journal submissions).

    • Active department participation and previous assistantship performance.

• Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs)

  • Responsibilities: Assist faculty or teach undergraduate courses, including grading, proctoring, lecturing, etc.

  • Eligibility: Priority given to Ph.D. students, but master’s students may also be considered.

  • Benefits: Stipend, housing allowance, tuition scholarship, subsidized health benefits.

  • Enrollment Requirement: Minimum of six graduate credits per term.

• Thomas C. Rumble Fellowships

  • Purpose: Supports Ph.D. students at specific stages of training.

  • Eligibility: Full-time enrollment required; employment outside the university restricted.

  • Benefits: Stipend, housing allowance, tuition scholarship, subsidized health benefits.

  • Renewal: Can be renewed once, based on satisfactory progress.

• Graduate Professional Scholarships (GPS)

  • Coverage: Resident tuition for six to ten graduate credits in fall and winter semesters.

  • Application Deadline: April 1 each year, with results announced in early June.

  • Renewal: Reapplication required annually.

• Types of Assistantships

  • Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs): Instructional duties, about 20 hours weekly.

  • Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs): Research/administrative roles, 20 hours weekly.

  • Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs): Research relevant to academic programs, typically for Ph.D. students.

• Application Process

  • Most assistantship positions are managed by individual departments.

  • Suggested Inquiry Start Time: One year in advance for fall positions.

  • Application details are typically available on department websites.

• Key Deadlines

  • Renewal Decisions: Usually made by March 15, no later than May 1.

  • GPS Applications: Due April 1; results announced in early June.

These opportunities provide financial support, professional experience, and involvement in university academic life for both domestic and international students.