Funding opportunities

The political science department offers several funding opportunities for graduate students, including graduate teaching assistantships and several different graduate fellowships. Ph.D. and M.P.A. students receive preference for GTA positions. Ph.D. students who are funded generally receive up to three years of support, while M.A. and M.P.A. students generally receive one year of support.

Graduate teaching assistantships (GTA)

Contingent on the availability of funding, up to 12 graduate teaching assistantships are allocated each year. New and continuing students are eligible to apply and must submit a new application each year if they wish to be considered for funding. Applications are due to the department each year on the first Monday in March. Inquiries about the application process or the nature of graduate assistantships in the department can be directed to the Graduate Program Director at gradpolisci@wayne.edu. The Graduate School provides more information about graduate assistantship benefits and related policies.

Hiring criteria for graduate teaching assistants include academic excellence, teaching experience, strong references and departmental teaching needs. In order to be considered, applicants must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.

Re-appointment is contingent on funding availability, continued good academic standing and superior teaching performance. Criteria used to assess teaching performance may include teaching evaluations, compliance with office hours requirements and participation in professional development opportunities related to teaching, such as OTL workshops.

Wayne State University and the GEOC (Graduate Employees' Organizing Committee American Federation of Teachers) recognize an obligation and reaffirm by this Agreement their commitment to achieve equal employment opportunity, non-discrimination, and non-harassment within the University. Accordingly, it is agreed that, consistent with University policies, the University and members of the bargaining unit shall not discriminate or harass on the basis of race, color, veteran status, height, weight, ethnicity, religion, creed, political affiliation, political beliefs, membership in any social or political organization, national origin, caste, ancestry, marital/relationship or parental status, caregiver status (i.e. providing care for a dependent person), age, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, or HIV status, of those capable of performing their professional duties. The preceding list is illustrative but not exhaustive. For the purpose of this agreement, discrimination applies both to incidents characterized as "disparate treatment" and "disparate impact." Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit Wayne State University from the application of bona fide occupational qualifications as may be appropriate or from taking such measures as may be permissible by law, to protect the health and safety of the University community.

Recipients will be selected at the discretion of the chair of the political science department. Decisions regarding applications will be made on or before May 1 of the upcoming academic year.

Apply for a graduate teaching assistantship

Graduate fellowships

Application

Applications for graduate fellowships should be submitted on or before the first Monday in March for the upcoming academic year.

Apply for a doctoral fellowship

Thomas C. Rumble Fellowship

The Thomas C. Rumble Fellowships are meant to enhance the quality of Ph.D. programs by attracting and retaining outstanding students. The Department of Political Science generally awards two Rumble fellowships each year, to exceptional students who are new to Wayne State and entering their first year in the Ph.D. program.

There is no required application form. Students must be nominated by the department and will be informed by the graduate director if they have been nominated for a Rumble fellowship. Rumble fellowships provide tuition remission for 7.5 to 10 credits of coursework in both fall and winter term, 12 months of health insurance and a $20,000 stipend paid over nine months.

Sarasohn Dissertation Fellowship

The Sarasohn Dissertation Fellowship is generally awarded to one advanced Ph.D. student each year so that they might achieve substantial progress on the dissertation. The Sarasohn Fellowship provides tuition support in the fall and winter terms, a stipend paid over the 9-month academic year and health insurance benefits.

Strong candidates will have advanced to candidacy and completed the prospectus defense by the time of their nomination. If they have not completed the prospectus defense at the time of nomination, they must successfully defend their prospectus before the start of the fellowship period. The recipient may not hold any other fellowship, graduate assistantship or internship concurrently and may not hold salaried or full-time employment whether within or outside the university. The Sarasohn fellowship recipient is required to make a formal presentation based on his/her dissertation research as part of the department's Research Colloquium series during the fellowship year.

Applicants must be nominated by their dissertation chair. Decisions regarding applications will be made on or before May 1 of the upcoming academic year.

Leda McIntyre Hall Fellowship

This fellowship was named after Dr. Leda McIntyre Hall, a 1984 Ph.D. graduate of our program and former student of the late Dr. Richard Elling. At Wayne State, Dr. Hall developed her research interests in the third sector. She spent much of her career at Indiana University-South Bend, where she served as a faculty member and eventually as dean of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

The Leda McIntyre Hall Fellowship will be awarded to one Ph.D. student each year, with preference to students in public administration, American government or urban politics. The Hall fellowship covers up to 10 credits of tuition each semester in fall and winter terms, plus a stipend and health insurance benefits.

Students who are interested in being considered for this award must submit a fellowship application. Recipients will be selected at the discretion of the chair of the political science department. Decisions regarding applications will be made on or before May 1 of the upcoming academic year.

Other funding opportunities for M.A., M.P.A. and Ph.D. students

In addition to departmental awards described above, the Graduate School offers other fellowships and scholarships through university-wide competitions. These include the Graduate Professional Scholarship, masters scholarships, Dean's Diversity Fellowship, King Chavez Parks Future Faculty Fellowship, Summer Dissertation Award and more. More information about these awards, application procedures and deadlines can be found at Graduate School Funding.

Office of Career Services

Career Services assists students who are looking for employment opportunities both on and off-campus, including work-study awards.