Communication & Journalism Department

COJO GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS

The University of Wyoming is consistently one of the best values in the country. Additionally, there are a variety of options for funding your COJO Graduate Program experience. One option is the COJO Graduate Assistantships. 

DESCRIPTIONS OF ASSISTANTSHIPS

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 about the Public Speaking GTAs, please contact Academic Professional Lecturer Beau Bingham at bbingham@uwyo.edu He is the course supervisor for Public Speaking.

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 about the Media Writing GTAs, please contact Assistant Lecturer Mitzi Stewart at mitzih@uwyo.edu. She is the course supervisor for Media Writing.

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 about this position, please contact COJO Department Chair 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 about this position, please contact Matt Liu, the Director of Debate, at mliu6@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 about this position, please contact Matt Liu, the Director of Debate, at mliu6@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 about this position, please contact COJO Department Chair Dr. Cindy Price Schultz at cprice@uwyo.edu.

OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT ASSISTANTSHIPS

• 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.

Please email COJO Graduate Director Dr. Chia-Fang (Sandy) Hsu, hsus@uwyo.edu if you have any questions about the COJO GA responsibilities and duties.

You must have a complete application file to be considered. Fill out the graduate assistant application to ensure that you will be considered.

Only a few COJO GTAs are available each year, so the assistantships are very competitive.

OTHER FINANCIAL AID OR ASSISTANTSHIPS

Applicants may wish to investigate and pursue other forms of support such as scholarships, loans, part-time work, work-study, or service as a graduate assistant in other programs. Past students have been graduate assistants in the following areas (see list below). If you are interested in pursuing an assistantship in a particular area, please contact that unit directly. 

• Athletics (Marketing, Academic Support, Media Relations, Video Production, Ticketing)
• Residence Life and Dining Services
• Campus Recreation
• Outdoor Program
• Wyoming Student Union
• Campus Activities Center
• SLCE program
• Greek Life
• The Writing Center

However, just because students have received assistantships in the previously mentioned departments does not mean that assistantships are currently available. It is possible that the assistantship is only offered every other year or that the funding for the position no longer exists. Again, please contact the respective unit for more information. 

In addition, a limited amount of financial assistance is available through the Office of Student Financial Aid.

TUITION AND FEES

• For information on costs of attendance for graduate students, visit Financing Graduate School.

HOUSING

• For on-campus housing (residence halls or University Apartments), visit Residence Life and Dining Services.

• For off-campus housing, visit the classified ads section of the Laramie newspaper, The Boomerang.