Graduate Teaching Assistantships & Financial Aid

Studio/ Area TA-ships

All graduate students entering the Department are automatically considered for teaching assistantships (TA-ships) in their own studio/area of concentration. These are few in number, and highly competitive. For more information on the availability of and duties associated with these assistantships, contact the area coordinator of the program you are applying for. There is no additional application required to be considered for these appointments.

 

Gen-Ed TA-ships

In addition, there are a number of "Gen-Ed" TA-ships that support large undergraduate General Education music classes. Duties typically include lecture support, discussion section leading, grading and tutoring. All grad applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for funding through a Gen-Ed TA-ship at the same time they submit their application for admission. These positions are issued through the office of the Graduate Program Director, Prof. Erinn Knyt, and are also highly competitive. We seek intellectually curious students who are motivated, responsible, and who demonstrate excellent communication skills.

Click on the link for a TA-ship Application Form (pdf). 

Deadline: Dec. 1, 2022 for priority consideration for 2023-24. (Applications still considered after priority deadline)

Appointment Details

• TA’s a receive a full tuition waiver and 95% coverage of the Student Health Benefit Plan.
• Appointments are for 10 to 20 hours-per-week of work.
• The hourly wage is $32.66 for the 2022-23 academic year, with stipends totaling $12,410 (10 hrs/wk) to $24,821 (20 hrs/wk).
• Assignments last for the 38 weeks of the academic year, beginning in early September and ending in late May. Paychecks are issued bi-weekly.
• Residual mandatory fees (e.g. the service fee, Graduate Student Senate Fee, and Graduate Entering Fee) remain the responsibility of the graduate student. See the full fee schedule for Fall 2022 for a complete breakdown of required fees. Other tuition/fee info can be found on the Bursar's Office website.
• Graduate employees are also entitled to a number of benefits through the Graduate Employee Organization.
• Please visit the UMass Graduate School website for all Funding Policies & Procedures.

 

The Graduate String Quartet program offers teaching assistantships to four violinists, two violists and two cellists to form two string quartets. Please see the webpage or contact String Area Coordinator Elizabeth Chang for more information.

 

For information on Financial Aid, please contact:

UMass Amherst Financial Aid Services
255 Whitmore Building
Box 38230
Amherst, MA 01003-8230
(413) 545-0801
www.umass.edu/umfa

 

Click for a full list & descriptions of Music & Dance Department Scholarships and Awards