Teaching Assistantships
Preparing for Class
The Graduate School makes financial support available to graduate students through a set number of teaching assistantships, which are distributed among the various graduate programs at New Mexico State University.
The English department makes every effort to provide eligible graduate students with financial support in the form of teaching assistantships, when students request such consideration in their applications. The English department recommends eligible students for teaching assistantships to the Graduate School; the Graduate School awards available assistantships to eligible students when they are admitted into a specific program of study. In their personal statements and in the supporting materials of their applications, prospective students should offer evidence of their preparation for teaching.
Standard Term of an Assistantship
For M.A. students in the Literature, Rhetoric, and Technical and Professional Communication emphases, the standard term established by the Graduate School for assistantship support is four semesters. Assistantships at the MA level are exceptionally competitive. Applicants to the MA in Creative Writing should not apply with the expectation of receiving a GA. For M.F.A. students in Creative Writing, the standard term is six semesters. For Ph.D. students in the doctoral program in Rhetoric and Professional Communication, the standard term is ten semesters.
Applying for an Assistantship after Admission
Students who have not requested or received a teaching assistantship when admitted to a program of study may apply to be considered for assistantship support after admission, and should observe the usual deadlines (October 1 for spring semester, February 1 for fall semester). All applications for assistantship support should be in writing, should be addressed to the Graduate Studies Committee, and should provide whatever information and supporting documentation the applicant deems useful to making a strong case for consideration.
Extending an Assistantship
Students who have been awarded assistantship support may apply to extend the terms of their award if they cannot complete their program of study within the number of semesters supported by the award. They should submit a written request to the Director of Graduate Studies as early in the final semester of their assistantship as possible, and no later than the usual deadlines (October 1 for spring semester, February 1 for fall semester). The request should detail the need for continued support and should be endorsed by the student’s adviser. Each request will be considered by the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) after graduate assistant appointments for the next semester have been made. After awarding assistantships to new students and assessing departmental needs for additional assistantships, the GSC will recommend to the Department Head whether continued support should be granted.