Doctoral Research Assistantships (APCE)
The Doctoral Research Assistantships provide financial assistance and an opportunity for research mentoring for students enrolled in the APCE PhD Program. Each student awarded a DRA position is assigned to an APCE faculty member. The position offers an opportunity to work with a faculty member on research-related projects, to present at professional conferences, and to author articles. DRAs might also assist a faculty member with preparing manuscripts for publication and a variety of other scholarly tasks.
Both entering and continuing PhD students are eligible to apply for a DRA position. To apply, you will need to complete the Doctoral Research Assistant application form and submit it by February 1 prior to the start of the academic year for which you are applying to the APCE Program Director, Dr. Lisa Baumgartner, with a copy to Kassi Redwine.
The number of DRA positions is limited.
- Assistantships require a 20 hr per week (1/2 time) work commitment (all or most of which may need to be spent on campus at the discretion of your supervisor)
- Doctoral Research Assistants must carry a 9 credit per semester minimum course load during fall and spring semesters
- Doctoral Research Assistants may not simultaneously maintain other full-time employment, and 75% (30 hour) assistantships will not be approved. The purpose of the assistantship is to allow you to concentrate on your program as a full-time student. Any other part time off-campus employment, such as adjunct teaching, must be compatible with obligations of your assistantship as specified by your assistantship supervisor. Continuing conflicts with any external employment may lead to discontinuation of your appointment as a Doctoral Research Assistantship
- Compensation for 20 hour per week doctoral assistants will be approximately $26,000 per academic year. Doctoral Research Assistants, because they are employed for 20 hours, are also eligible for employer group insurance plans administered by the Human Resources Benefit Office . This appointment is for the nine-month academic year. Summer employment is not included in this award. Supplemental funding for summer employment may or may not become available, and will not necessarily support all doctoral assistants if it becomes available. You will be given an opportunity to elect to have your 9-month salary spread over 12 months.
- Assistantships do not come with a tuition waiver, although DRAs are eligible for a waiver of out-of-state tuition.
- Continuing appointments as a doctoral assistant after your first year will depend on a number of factors, including your performance as a student and as a Doctoral Research Assistant. Given a limited number of assistantships, doctoral assistants are limited to four years of funding.