Graduate Assistantships

Graduate teaching and research assistantships are available in most of the academic areas of The University of Memphis, requiring 10-20 hours of service per week. Most assistantships are provided by the student's home academic unit. Graduate assistants who work at least 10 hours per week are classified as in-state students for fee-paying purposes for the term of their appointment as graduate assistants only. Graduate assistantship contracts filed by the fourth day of class are eligible for a scholarship equal to the amount of tuition and fees. University-supported graduate assistants are expected to carry a 12-credit-hour load every semester (or 6 hours when enrolled only in thesis or dissertation hours). Nonresident assistants appointed for the preceding spring semester are eligible for in-state fees for summer, whether or not the student holds an assistantship in that summer term.

Non-degree students may not be awarded an assistantship. Graduate assistants must maintain a 3.00 GPA to retain their assistantships. Regents Online Degree Program fees are not covered by Graduate Assistantship waivers.UM Online Program Fees are also not covered by Graduate Assistantship or other fee waivers.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools requires that graduate teaching assistants have a master's in the teaching discipline or 18 graduate credit hours in the discipline. GAs must have direct supervision by a faculty member experienced in the teaching discipline, regular in-service training, and planned and periodic evaluations. Non-native English speakers must also pass the SPEAK test before they can be appointed teaching assistants. Contact the Center for International Programs and Services for information on when the SPEAK test is administered. Teaching assistants may teach only undergraduate courses. They may not teach more than 6 hours of for-credit courses without prior approval from the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.

Graduate Certificate in College Teaching

This program provides specific training in college teaching for graduate teaching assistants. The 12-hour program equips TAs with knowledge of and skill in effective college teaching methods. Only fully admitted graduate students who are graduate teaching assistants are eligible to enroll in the program. Contact the Graduate School for details.

Graduate Awards and Fellowships

Graduate student fellowship and award information can be obtained in the Graduate School, or on the Graduate School home page. All competitive awards administered by the Graduate School require maintenance of at least a 3.25 GPA. The Graduate School administers the following awards and fellowships:

The Van Vleet Memorial Doctoral Award is granted to two to three incoming doctoral students enrolled in the designated science fields of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology, Biology, Chemistry, Geological Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Microbiology & Molecular Cell Sciences, Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Eligible students must be nominated by their respective department chair. The award includes a stipend of $16,000 per year for four years plus tuition scholarship.

The Provost's Predoctoral Diversity Awards are awarded by least two departments each year, based on how well various requirements have been met. The amount of the awards vary by discipline and will be renewable for up to five years. All include a tuition scholarship. Each year departments compete based on their record of recruiting and graduating minority students. Departments provide a summary of their efforts, along with documentation of national under-representation in their discipline, to the Graduate School by October 15.

The University of Memphis Society, Inc. Doctoral Fellowship, established by UMS, Inc., annually awards a $2,000 fellowship to a full-time doctoral student based on exceptional academic achievement.

The Part-time Master's Fellowships are awarded annually to ten entering master's students. Awardees will receive $1,500 ($750 per semester; this award does not include a tuition scholarship) and must maintain a 3.50 GPA to receive the second semester funding. These awards are limited to one year.

Applications for the following fellowships should be submitted to the units listed below:

The Fogelman College of Business and Economics

Business and Economic Alumni Chapter Scholarship: Full-time graduate student; must have minimum GPA of 3.50. Financial need is considered.

Charles Greisbeck Scholarship: Full-time student majoring in accounting. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.50. Student must have exhibited leadership skills.

Humko Doctoral Fellowship: Third-year Business Administration doctoral student concentrating in Marketing.

Kenneth & Janet Austin Accountancy Fellowship: Full-time graduate student majoring in accounting. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.25.

Morgan Keegan Scholarship: Full-time or part-time student majoring in finance. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.50.

Dr. G. P. Racz Leadership Fellowship: Full-time student majoring in accounting or international business. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.25. Must have exhibited leadership; may be a graduate assistant.

Mark Sowards Memorial Scholarship Fund: Full-time graduate student. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.50. Must have an intent to enter into the field of real estate.

Stacey Steckler Sprinkler Scholarship: Full or part-time student majoring in accounting with a minimum GPA of 3.50. Financial need is considered.

Tilson Real Estate Fellowship: Full or part-time student majoring in real estate with a minimum GPA of 3.50.

The College of Education, Health and Human Sciences

The Dr. R. Eugene Smith Fellowship equivalent to in-state tuition is awarded annually to a graduate student pursuing studies in higher education administration.

The George W. Etheridge Early Childhood Education Scholarship is a three-year award presented to an early childhood doctoral student who has research experience; demonstrates academic, professional, or civic leadership; and is interested in young children.

The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders

The AUSP Alumni Chapter Fellowship is awarded each spring semester to a graduate student in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The recipient must demonstrate outstanding clinical skills and support of student and departmental activities.

The Marion G. Evans/Exchange Club of East Memphis Fellowship is awarded annually to graduate students training to work with the hearing impaired.

The Herff College of Engineering

A number of Fellowships funded by the Herff Trust are available to graduate students in the Herff College of Engineering.

The Herff Graduate Fellowship support for an MS student for two years and a PhD student for three years. Students are paid a minimum of $18,000 per academic year, plus tuition. The candidate must have a faculty advisor to work with prior to applying for a Fellowship. Application forms, available from each college department, should be sent to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research and must be postmarked by March 15. Awards will be announced on April 1.

Other Herff Awards are offered through the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Applications for these awards should be made directly to that department. The awards are:

• Herff Doctoral Research Fellowship
• Master’s Level Research Fellowship
• Post Doctoral Research Associate

Federal Aid

Limited federal assistance, in the form of workstudy, Stafford Loans, or Perkins Loans, is also available. Contact the Office of Student Aid at (901) 678-2303 for more information.

VA benefits and Title IV funds for enrollment fees are subject to cancellation and immediate repayment if the recipient stops attending, whether or not he/she has withdrawn or dropped a course. The instructor will report the last known date of attendance as the unofficial withdrawal date. Students who stop attending will be assigned a grade of F in courses that do not reflect an official withdrawal.