Support for graduate students is available from a variety of sources, including Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs), Research Assistantships (GRAs), and Fellowships. It is a general policy of the Program to financially support all grad students. Details regarding individual support types and amounts are provided in offer letters.
All support is contingent upon making good progress with the timely completion of the degree milestones. What constitutes “good progress” is included in the degree requirements above.
7 Graduate Assistantships (GAs) and Other Support
GTAs are awarded to new entering Geology graduate students each year. GTA support includes a 9-month stipend and a waiver of full-time tuition. In return for this stipend, the student works about 20 hours per week teaching and/or assisting in undergraduate labs and classes.
GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS (GRAs). Research Assistantships are positions that support student research under the supervision of a faculty member with funded research grants and are competitively awarded Terms of RA employment vary and pay commensurately to GTAs and also include a full waiver of tuition. Normally the research performed is part of the student’s thesis or dissertation. Students interested in obtaining RA support should contact faculty working in their field of interest.
UNIVERSITY FEES. Students are responsible for mandatory WVU and ECAS fees (health care, campus recreation center, computer use, and library fees). The current fee schedule is posted by WVU on an annual basis on tuition.wvu.edu.
SUMMER SUPPORT. Summer tuition is waived for students who held a GTA or GRA during the preceding two semesters.
DEPARTMENTAL ENDOWMENTS. The Geology Program has access to a number of funds and endowments to support graduate student travel and student research. The availability and amount of these funds vary from year-to-year depending on how many students apply and the investment earnings on the endowment and foundation funds.
- Travel funds. Students may apply for partial support for meeting travel as long as they are the first and presenting author. Students applying for travel funds must follow the rules and formats of ECAS Travel and Research Programs. Applications are first reviewed by the chair of G&G and matching department funds are commonly added. Students are limited to one travel grant per academic year. There is no fixed deadline to apply for travel funds, but a reminder email will typically be sent to the graduate student list serve before major conferences (GSA, AGU, AAPG).
- Research funds. Students may apply to the geology program for funds to support their research. These funds range from $200 to $5000 and are competitive to obtain. The amount of funds disbursed will vary from year to year based on the availability of endowment earnings. The designated use(s) of such funds and student eligibility varies from source to source.
There is a single unified application process for all foundation and research grants. A solicitation for applications is sent to all geology graduate students early in the spring semester along with that year’s process and deadlines.
8 Roles of Graduate Assistants
8.1 GTA Jobs and Duties
If you have TA funding, you will have two types of duties:
- a formal teaching load consisting of 4 assignments,
- and proctoring duties. The formal teaching load will have four parts.
The proctoring duties consist of 15-20 hours per semester of extra TA work. These duties might consist of proctoring in-class or computer exams, driving for undergrad course field trips, and/or grading. The number of hours required and the list of assignments is provided early each semester. Watch your email for an announcement on when to sign up.
Please show up for any proctoring duties for which you sign up. If you sign up for a specific duty, faculty and/or other TAs will be counting on you. If you do not complete your full TA “proctoring” duties, you will be expected to make up that work or re-pay the department for that portion of the stipend you earned as a TA.
International student GTAs must take and pass the SPEAK test before they can provide instructional services. See Global Affairs English Proficiency for GTAs for information. This requirement is based on state law with the goal of insuring that instructors have adequate speaking skills needed for effective instruction.
As a TA, you are on the payroll during the week before fall and spring courses start and finals week. Therefore, you are expected to be on campus during those times.
8.2 GRA Duties
If you are funded with an RA, your advisor (or whichever faculty administers your funding) is your supervisor and will assign you work to do as part of this RA. Unless otherwise approved by your advisor, GRAs should be on campus and maintain regular work hours.
Typically, GRAs are on the payroll during the week before fall and spring courses start and finals week. Therefore, you are expected to be on campus during those times, unless your research assignment stipulates otherwise.
8.3 Academic and Professional Standards
West Virginia University has established an Academic and Professional Standards policy that can be found online in the Graduate Catalog.
This policy defines forms of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism. In addition, it provides information about academic rights, penalties, and appeals, as well as probation and suspension procedures. Statements about research integrity and intellectual property are also included on the above website. Penalties for academic dishonesty may include academic dismissal from the program.
As a geology graduate student, it is your responsibility to know and follow the academic and professional standards.