Assistantships
IPFW requires that any student with a graduate assistantship maintain regular progress toward graduation. In most cases, this requirement means enrollment in a minimum of two (2) graduate level courses per semester. Graduate assistants usually teach two (2) sections of COM 114 (the basic course) and take two (2) classes. In certain specific situations, such as a graduating semester in the Spring, students can petition the Department one (1) semester in advance to enroll in three (3) credit hours of graduate-level course and/or research work and receive an assistantship. Federal law requires that international students holding an assistantship must take six (6) credit hours each semester to fulfill visa requirements, regardless of Program requirements.
Graduate assistantships will be awarded to the most qualified applicants based on the number of openings available. Graduate assistants receive a tuition reduction and stipend. In order to to receive a tuition reduction, you must complete and submit an IPFW Fee Remission form, available from Human Resources. If an international student has a teaching assistantship, visa requirements allow the student to take two (2) classes and maintain student status.
COM 598 Synthesis Research, an option for students who have completed coursework but who have not yet completed degree requirements, is a zero (0) credit hour course. In some limited circumstances, a student may use this course for one semester to hold an assistantship.
Graduate students who do not hold an assistantship are eligible for a Chancellor's Merit Award. Non-resident students of Indiana receiving the award can attend IPFW at in-state costs for tuition and fees. In order to be considered for this award, the Graduate Program Director first must nominate you. For more information, please review these criteria (pdf). If you receive this Award and you later receive an Assistantship, you cannot hold both and you will need to choose one.
For more information regarding assistantships, contact the Basic Course Director.
For more information regarding eligibility for obtaining and keeping assistantships, contact the Graduate Program Director.
Application Process
Decisions will be based on all graduate school application materials including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose. Additionally, the director of the basic course will interview selected applicants. Only students who are admitted to the program without condition, or who have conditions that have already been met are considered eligible for graduate assistantships. Students who are interested in applying for a graduate assistantship should apply no later than February 15 for the fall semester and September 15 for the spring semester.
After these dates, review will begin of eligible applications. An eligible application must include 1) an application for the assistantship and 2) a completed application for regular admission, including all undergraduate transcripts and all letters of reference. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Please complete and submit the application form. (PDF)
Students who do not receive assistantships are welcome to reapply in subsequent semesters by contacting the basic course director in writing by the specified deadline above.
Registering for COM 502 Classroom Communication
COM 502 Classroom Communication is a required course for all Graduate Assistants once they receive a teaching assistantship. Students cannot take COM 502 until becoming a graduate student since it is a graduate only course.
Contact Information
If you still have questions, contact Kevin Stoller for more information.
Keeping Your Assistantship
Graduate assistantships are not guaranteed positions. Maintaining assistantships requires maintaining acceptable academic performance. This requires that graduate assistants:
- Maintain enrollment in two (2) graduate level courses per semester
- Achieve no more than one (1) grade of C in their coursework while in the program
- Engage in acceptable performance in their teaching duties
- Attend all required workshops and other professional development activities as requested by the basic course director
- Receive acceptable evaluations (from students and supervisor)
Graduate Teaching Assistantship Eligibility:
The Department of Communication requires that any student with a graduate assistantship maintain regular progress toward graduation. This progress is defined as:
1. Unconditional admittance to IPFW Department of Communication – Professional Communication MA or MS program.
2. Taking two graduate-level COM or approved cognate courses that count toward the plan of study and teaching two sections of COM 11400.
3. Graduating semester exception:
o If a student has only one graduate-level COM or approved cognate course left on their plan of study, s/he may take that and teach two for one semester only.
o If a student has finished coursework, s/he may take COM 598 to complete his/her synthesis paper and comprehensive exams for one semester only.
Student must show evidence of filing for graduation with the Registrar for that final semester and receive written approval from both the Basic Course and Graduate Program Director to be considered for the final semester exception.
4. Good Academic Standing
o The IPFW Graduate Program requires that students earn grades of B- or above and retain a GPA of 3.0 or higher to remain in good academic standing.
5. Satisfactory Professional Performance
o Satisfactory Course Evaluations
o Satisfactory assessment of teaching
o Responsive and successful participation in professional development efforts as directed by the Basic Course Director
Graduate Teaching Assistantships are not guaranteed for the duration of the degree program. Decisions to extend or revoke appointments are based on the GTA meeting the above criteria. The Basic Course Director will work with Graduate Teaching Assistants to maintain classroom performance. The Graduate Program Director will advise Graduate Teaching Assistants on how to maintain good academic standing. If a Graduate Teaching Assistant cannot or does not meet expectations of the department, s/he will be notified one month prior to the next semester that the assistantship will be revoked.
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