Assistantships & Financial Resources

 

Public Speaking Teaching Assistantship

Public Speaking GTAs teach one section of Public Speaking (COJO 2010) in the first fall semester, two sections in both the subsequent spring and fall semesters, and one section in the final spring semester of the two-year MA program. You will also enroll in a 3-credit graduate teaching course in first fall semester, which is taught by Beau Bingham, and you will enroll in a 1-credit teaching practicum course (supervised by Beau Bingham) in the remainder of your semesters. 
For questions, please contact Academic Professional Lecturer Beau Bingham at bbingham@uwyo.edu.

Media Writing Teaching Assistantship

Media Writing GTAs teach one section of Media Writing (COJO 2100) in the first fall semester, two sections in both the subsequent spring and fall semesters, and one section in the final spring semester of the two-year MA program. We do expect Media Writing GTAs to have a degree in journalism or communication that entailed reporting, newswriting, and AP Style. Professional journalism experience in jobs and/or internships is considered a plus. 
For questions, please contact Assistant Lecturer Mitzi Stewart at mitzih@uwyo.edu.

PR/Marketing Administration for COJO

Some of the aspects of this position include creating bi-annual newsletters, helping with website updates, helping with social media (Facebook, Instagram), creating news releases for events and important research and student work, helping promote the UW Debate team, and event planning and promotion (e.g., COJO’s Honor’s Day celebration). 
For questions, please contact Associate Professor Dr. Cindy Price Schultz at cprice@uwyo.edu.

Wyoming Debate Union Administrative Assistantship

The debate GAA is responsible for day-to-day coaching of the Policy debate team. Their duties include holding and directing bi-weekly practice sessions, assisting with research production, traveling to approximately four NDT-CEDA tournaments per semester, and judging at those tournaments. This position does not include teaching a course. 
For questions, please contact COJO Department Chair Justin Stewart at jdstew@uwyo.edu.

Wyoming Debate Union Teaching Assistantship

The debate GTA is responsible for day-to-day coaching of the BP/Worlds debate team. Their duties include attending bi-weekly practice sessions and traveling to approximately three tournaments per semester. Additionally, the debate GTA teaches sections of Persuasive Argumentation, a 2000-level Communication Department class. 
For questions, please contact COJO Department Chair Justin Stewart at jdstew@uwyo.edu.

Rott Research Fellowship

The student who receives this fellowship will assist faculty members’ research efforts and work on their thesis/project related to Journalism or media-oriented subject. Besides all requirements listed for admittance into the Communication and Journalism graduate programs, they must also give a one-page summary about their research knowledge and capabilities, and explain how their planned thesis or project is part of the journalism or media field. 
For questions, please contact Associate Professor Dr. Cindy Price Schultz at cprice@uwyo.edu.

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Important Details

• Visit the UW Graduate Education page for general information and documents.

• The COJO Assistantship provides a monthly stipend plus a remission of tuition and fees. Students are responsible for the nominal A&S computer fee.

• International students can apply for an assistantship, but it requires an exceptional command of English, including previous experience in an American English speaking environment or an English speaking education.

• In general, graduate assistantships are awarded for one year and those students who successfully fulfill their academic and teaching responsibilities are offered a second year, unless the student receives the assistantship only during the second year of their program.

• The department does not limit enrollment just to those students who it can support financially. Many students either support themselves or receive assistantships through other programs.

• Students who begin their graduate program without an assistantship, and are successful in the program, are given priority when assistantships do become available.

The application deadline to be considered for a cojo graduate teaching assistantship is February 15.

You must have a complete application file to be considered. Fill out the graduate assistant application to ensure that you will be considered. You must also complete the GA application sent to you via email from the UW Office of Admissions (once you start an online application, UW Admissions will email you this document). You must upload a resume with your online GA application. The resume should include a 3-5 minute video link that highlights and illustrates how you would approach being a teaching, marketing, debate, or research assistant. The video will be evaluated by its content, not on technological quality. We will provide a software program or campus resource you could use if you have accesibility or technology needs.

Only a few COJO GTAs are available each year, so the assistantships are very competitive. Please email COJO Graduate Director Dr. Chia-Fang (Sandy) Hsu at hsus@uwyo.edu if you have any questions about the COJO GA responsibilities and duties.

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