Graduate
Student Funding
Our mass communication graduate students are among the most highly compensated across U.S. journalism and mass communication graduate programs. Admitted students receive continuous funding (2 years for the M.A. program, 4 years for Ph.D. program) through a combination of assistantships and fellowships. Our funding packages provide a stipend, tuition remission, health insurance, and support for student travel and university fees. All admitted students receive funding (unless they are funded by an external source). We also offer several funding opportunities to support graduate student research. And our students are given office space and computer access in our building, Murphy Hall.
Graduate Assistantships
Mass communication graduate students work as research or teaching assistants during their funding window (2 years for the M.A. program, 4 years for Ph.D. program). The normal assistantship commitment is 20 hours per week during the academic year. Our teaching assistants aid faculty with their undergraduate courses, with duties ranging from grading to leading discussions. Advanced students often have the opportunity to teach their own course as an instructor.
Research assistantships are also common, depending on the needs of faculty and center research projects. Students also can receive additional funding through a summer assistantship or instructor position. Additional positions outside of the Hubbard School can be found on the Office of Human Resources website.
Graduate Fellowships
Our graduate students benefit from a number of generous fellowships to support their time in the program:
Hubbard School Fellowships
- Stanley W. Carlson Graduate Scholarship
- Hazel Dicken-Garcia Graduate Fellowship
- Herbert Berridge Elliston Graduate Scholarship
- Arle and Billy Haeberle Scholarship
- Hubbard Broadcast Scholarship
- Hubbard Graduate Fellowship
- Joel and Laurie Kramer School of Journalism Fund
- DJ Leary Strategic Communication Fellowship for Strategic Communication MA
- Marsha and Dr. James Marsh Sternberg Scholarship
- Tunheim Partnership Scholarship
- Ray Tarleton Strategic Communication Fellowship for Strategic Communication MA
- Vincent Bancroft Shea Fellowship
- William D. Wells Graduate Fellowship in Strategic Mass Communication
Silha Center Research Fellowship in Ethics and Law
Silha Fellowships offer graduate and law students the opportunity to engage in a variety of research projects in media ethics and law. Silha Fellowships are available to graduate students who have demonstrated interest and ability in the study of mass communication ethics and/or law.
University-wide Fellowships
Numerous scholarship and fellowship opportunities are available to graduate students at the University of Minnesota. For a complete list and application instructions, visit the Graduate Fellowship website (qualifications and application process vary by fellowship). Some of these opportunities include:
- Diversity of Views and Experiences Fellowships - U.S. citizens and permanent residents entering the Graduate School for the first time are nominated. These one-year fellowships provide a stipend of approximately $25,000 for the academic year plus tuition for up to 14 credits per semester and full health insurance coverage (fees not included). Students of superior ability who are admitted to the program are nominated for these fellowships by the HSJMC faculty.
- Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (DDF) - This fellowship gives the University's most accomplished Ph.D. candidates an opportunity to devote full-time effort to an outstanding research project by providing time to finalize and write a dissertation during the fellowship year. The award includes a stipend of $25,000 for the academic year, tuition for up to 14 thesis credits each semester, and subsidized health insurance through the Graduate Assistant Health Plan.
- Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship (IDF) - This fellowship provides a unique opportunity for outstanding Ph.D. students who are engaged in interdisciplinary research to study with faculty at one of the University’s interdisciplinary research centers or institutes during the fellowship year.
The award includes a stipend of $25,000 for the academic year, tuition for up to 14 graduate credits each semester, and subsidized health insurance through the Graduate Assistant Health Plan. Summer health insurance will be provided if the Fellow remains eligible. - MacArthur Fellowships - Students entering doctoral programs will be considered. Applicants should have backgrounds and interests relevant to the issues central to the University's MacArthur Program, which are focused in four broad dimensions of contemporary world society: globalization, society and the ecosphere, war and institutions of violence, and identity and social power.
Graduate Student Research Funding
The Hubbard School each offers special funding opportunities to support graduate students as they conduct and present their research.
Kriss Research Support Grants
These grants provide assistance to mass communication M.A. and Ph.D. students to cover direct costs associated with independent student research. The Kriss Grants are especially important for supporting M.A. thesis project and Ph.D. dissertations.
Ralph D. Casey Dissertation Research Award This annual award recognizes the outstanding dissertation research project, and is made possible through funds donated by the School's distinguished first director.
Conference Travel Funds
We award travel stipends to graduate students who present refereed papers at academic conferences. MA students are eligible for up to $1,000 and PhD students are eligible for up to $2,000 in travel grant support annually. Additional fellowship support for student travel is available during the year.
Loans
For information about educational loans, visit OneStop, or contact the OneStop Student Services office at 612-624-1111 or [email protected].
Office of Student Finance
Most University students receive some financial aid to help pay their educational expenses from grants, scholarships, work-study and loans. The Office of Student Finance administers all financial aid programs at the University. For more information on the financial aid process, visit OneStop.
CLA Graduate Funding
The College of Liberal Arts administers competitive research and teaching funding opportunities for graduate students.