Terms for Research and Teaching Assistantships

The normal appointment to a research or teaching assistantship is considered a half-time appointment.

Assistantship appointments are made on a semester by semester basis. Fall Semester appointments begin on August 16 while Spring Semester appointments begin on January 2. Summer appointments are sometimes available.

The Mathematics Graduate Studies Committee reviews current academic standing and the level of performance in assistantship duties of each graduate student at the end of each semester. Continued financial support in the form of a teaching or research assistantship is available to students who remain in good academic standing in the Department of Mathematics and perform their assistantship duties in a satisfactory manner.

The usual maximum periods of support (from the time of first enrollment in graduate studies in the Department) are as follows.
For students entering a doctoral program having satisfactorily completed all the requirements for a degree in mathematics:

• three semesters (excluding summer semesters) to pass the Graduate Qualifying Examination;
• six semesters (excluding summer semesters) to pass the Doctoral Qualifying Examination;
• eight semesters (excluding summer semesters) to pass the Preliminary Doctoral Examination.
• ten semesters (excluding summer semesters) to pass the Final Examination.

For all other students entering a graduate program:

• for master's candidates: two years;
• for doctoral candidates:
  • four semesters (excluding summer semesters) to pass the Graduate Qualifying Examination;
  • seven semesters (excluding summer semesters) to pass the Doctoral Qualifying Examination;
  • nine semesters (excluding summer semesters) to pass the Preliminary Doctoral Examination.
  • twelve semesters (excluding summer semesters) to pass the Final Examination.