Department of English
Teaching Assistantships

The Department of English offers a limited number of teaching assistantships. Priority for teaching assistantships is generally given to Ph.D. students, but we do award teaching assistantships to some master's degree students. Stipends for these assistantships are $14,000 in 2007-2008. Teaching assistants are exempt from out-of-state tuition and receive a substantial fee waiver for courses. In 2007-2008, the waiver reduces fees to $60.57 per credit hour.

Teaching assistants (TAs) are responsible for teaching three courses per year in the Core Writing program or leading four discussion sections per year in the Western Traditions program. TAs without previous teaching experience in our program are required to take English 737 during their first semester in an assistantship (if they have not taken it earlier). Some TAs with special training may be assigned to sections for international students. The department makes every effort to accommodate assignments to the Teaching Assistant's graduate course schedule.

To keep a teaching assistantship, a graduate student must continue to make satisfactory progress in a graduate degree program. A TA must register for a minimum of 6 graduate credits each semester to maintain an assistantship. In addition, he or she must pass at least 10 graduate credits each year. At present, the teaching assistantships of master's degree students in good standing may be renewed for a total of up to two years; of Ph.D. students in good standing, for a total of up to five. The Graduate School sets a firm maximum of six years for any one person to hold a teaching assistantship, even if the person pursues both the M.A. and the Ph.D. at Nevada. This period may be shortened for unsatisfactory performance as a student.

Students currently holding a Teaching Assistantship who wish to defer the TA for one year may petition the English Department’s Graduate Committee for a TA deferment. Such deferments, if granted, are typically for one year, and only in cases of family/medical emergency or in order to allow the student to pursue an unusual opportunity to enhance their professional experience as a researcher and/or teacher.

Information on applying for teaching assistantships is found under How to Apply for a Teaching Assistantship.