Financial Support
During the academic year, most of our students are supported by assistantships and fellowships. The stipend for research and teaching assistantships for the nine-month academic year 2011-2012 is $17,023 (20 hours a week). Also, at no cost to them, students are covered by a comprehensive major medical insurance program, underwritten by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of North Carolina. Full-time summer employment on a research project is normally available to students who would like to receive support. The rate for summer 2010 will be $850 per week (40 hours) for 10 to 12 weeks. This will produce a combined annual financial package for our graduate assistants of approximately $27,200. Students with assistantships qualify for a Graduate Student Tuition Grant and pay no tuition. They are, however, responsible for paying student fees of approximately $935 per semester. Graduate Student Tuition grants typically cover M.S. students for four semesters of study and Ph.D. students for ten semesters of study. Annual living costs for single graduate students in the Chapel Hill area are estimated to be $15,000 or higher. On-campus housing is available for both single and married students.
The department provides a $500 educational fund each semester to any student who receives a competitive fellowship not granted by UNC-Chapel Hill. The fund may be used for education-related expenses, including books, journals, travel, computer supplies and accessories, and professional memberships. The department also awards a $1,500 supplement each semester to nonservice fellowship holders who join a research team.
Students are not assigned to specific research projects or teaching assistant positions immediately upon being admitted to the department. Assignments are made just prior to the start of each semester, after faculty members and students have had an opportunity to meet and to discuss their interests.
Students are encouraged to gain professional experience through summer internships with companies in the Research Triangle area or in other parts of the country.