Following the policy recommendations of the University of Minnesota Graduate School, we offer financial support to all Ph.D. students whom we admit to graduate study. Conversely, we do not admit Ph.D. students we are not able to support. At the Master's level, there may be exceptions to this rule, but only in unusual circumstances. We ordinarily admit new students for Fall semesters, since most courses are year-long and commitments of resources occur on a yearly cycle. The usual deadline for a Fall admission with funding is December 15.
The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) makes initial offers of Teaching Assistantships, and, subject to Graduate School approval, Fellowships. (Note: Fellowships are awarded only after a university-wide competition, to which the School of Mathematics nominates its top candidates. Fellowship awards are quite rare, and the vast majority of our students are supported through Teaching Assistantships.)
Generally, beginning TA's are offered a Teaching Assistantship at entry level. After passing the Ph.D. preliminary written examinations and related coursework, the TA is usually paid at a higher level. After passing the Ph.D. preliminary oral examination, the TA is paid at the highest level. (In some cases, to make competitive offers, incoming graduate students are offered an above entry level position, in which case there cannot be as many promotions.)
The School of Mathematics establishes base salary rates. The normal work load of a TA is considered a 50% appointment (20 hours per week). The stipend range for incoming Teaching Assistants for the 2010-11 academic year will be at least $19.91 hourly, $15,530 yearly. Along with a Teaching Assistantship, a tuition waiver and health insurance benefit is included. For first year Graduate Assistants (TAs and RAs) in good standing could receive up to $2,000 summer fellowships as funda are available.
A Teaching Fellowship consists of a full Graduate School Fellowship with the option of a half-stipend Teaching Assistantship at entry level, requiring half of the duties of a regular TA.
Required Orientations: If you have been offered and have accepted a Teaching Assistantship, you will be required to report in early August for foreign nationals and late August for domestic students, for our orientation programs. First year Teaching Assistants who come from non-native English speaking countries are required to attend the CSE TALK program which begins early August and continues for 3 weeks. All first year Teaching Assistants are required to attend the School of Mathematics orientation program which begins late August and will last for one week.