TA Appointments
Every Ph.D. applicant accepted to the Physics Graduate Program will be offered full financial support through a Teaching Assistantship from the beginning of their graduate studies. A minimum of three academic years will be covered, which includes a tuition and service fee waiver and a 9-month academic year stipend of approximately $23,494 (AY23-24) provided the student remains in good standing with the Program, able to satisfactorily perform their teaching duties, pass their Qualifying Examination in the required time, and obtain a Thesis Advisor by the end of their 2nd year, as described in the Graduate Student Handbook. A student who does not obtain a Thesis Advisor by the end of their second year can be at risk of losing their financial aid from the Physics Department. Teaching duties under these appointments will require on average 20 hours of work per week.
It is our expectation, based on previous experience, that the Department will be able to provide financial support for you throughout your graduate studies past the initial three years. Many of our graduate students are awarded Research Assistantships with one of our research groups instead of a Teaching Appointment by the time they have passed the Qualifying Examinations. These research positions also include a tuition and service fee waiver and monthly stipend. If no research appointments are available, your Teaching Assistantship may continue at the discretion of the Department of Physics after the first three years of study, pending good academic progress and satisfactory teaching performance.