Teaching or
Research Assistantships represent a second major source of funding available only to graduate students. Typically, these assistantships support UCI faculty with their undergraduate teaching and principal research responsibilities in return for compensation. At UCI, the most commonly paid assistantship positions are: Teaching Assistant (aka TA), Tutor, Reader, and Graduate Student Researcher (aka GSR or RA). These positions pay a good salary (intended for living expenses) and, in addition, typically pay for the graduate student's institutional enrollment fees and health insurance fees at UCI.
Teaching assistantships usually involve leading an undergraduate group discussion section, supervising a laboratory, grading papers, and/or meeting with undergraduates during office hours. Research assistants are found especially in the science and engineering fields. They are engaged in laboratories or other institutional research settings to assist with faculty research projects. The typical teaching or research appointment involves working approximately 20 hours per week.
Although fellowship awards, and teaching or research assistantships, may be available for master's degree students, they are somewhat limited. In contrast, funding from these sources is more likely to be reserved for doctoral degree students who have advanced coursework preparation and who require more time to complete their degree programs. It is important to note that these types of funding opportunities are more than employment; they are invaluable means to build teaching and research skills, enhance interpersonal skills, and develop leadership experience in academic fields. This, in turn, improves knowledge and enhances the students' stature as both a scholar and academic leader.
