Graduate Funding Awards Criteria
Teaching Assistantships
- Teaching assistantships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and, if appropriate, demonstrated effectiveness as a TA. Merit is determined on the basis of course grades, timely progress through program, and faculty evaluations of performance. Faculty provides written evaluations of class performance (including independent studies, directed readings, etc.) for all graduate students. These evaluations address the quality of student writing, oral presentation and research skills. Students' own written self-assessments (required annually of all students not yet advanced to candidacy) are also taken into account in determining merit. TA effectiveness is assessed via faculty evaluation and ESCI student evaluations.
- Graduate students are eligible for a total of 6 quarters of TAship from the department. They can apply to other programs or departments on campus to supplement this.
- Graduate students with 1 or more Incomplete grades are not eligible for TAships.
- Graduate students apply for TAships annually, during the spring quarter. Awards for each academic year are announced at the end of spring quarter of the preceding year. Incoming students may be awarded TAships as part of their funding package. Awards to incoming students are made on the basis of merit.
- Students awarded TAships are expected to attend a departmental TA orientation meeting prior to beginning work as a TA.
Service and Spaulding Awards
These merit-based awards (normally $3000 each) are made to students who have advanced to candidacy, and who show evidence of timely progress through the program. Preference is given to students who are ineligible for TAships. Awards may be taken as a lump sum, or be used to cover University fees or insurance.
Departmental Field Funds
Beginning in 1996, the department began an experimental program offering research travel funds to graduate students for preliminary site visits. The awards are merit based and intended for fieldwork preparation. Preference is given to students who have applied to other sources besides the department for project funds.
The continuation of this program is determined on a year-to-year basis, and is subject to the availability of funds.
Questions about award procedures or criteria may be directed to the departmental Graduate Advisor.
Back to graduate programs page
Back to UCSB Anthropology home page
Last updated: November 8 , 2000 by DL