Availability of Financial Support
The Rhetoric & Technical Communication program endeavors to support all students needing financial assistance. Doctoral students have priority over Master's students because of the longer time commitment involved. Decisions on financial support and contract offers for the upcoming academic year are made in spring semester, after applications to the program have been reviewed and acceptances determined.
The primary source of funding available for Rhetoric & Technical Communication graduate students is payment for teaching. Students serve primarily as Graduate Teaching Instructors (GTIs) and are instructors of record in the courses they teach. The load is three courses per year (one fall course and two spring courses the first year, two fall courses and one spring course thereafter). GTIs typically teach English Composition and Technical Communication—though qualified graduate students may occasionally be offered teaching opportunities in other disciplines, as well as administrative support positions or research assistantships.