Graduate Scholarships, Fellowships,
and Assistantships
Graduate student support at the University of Minnesota comes in different forms. There are numerous scholarship and fellowship opportunities available through the Graduate School, as well as scholarships and fellowships sponsored by the SJMC. In addition, SJMC students may apply for graduate assistantships, which involve teaching or research duties.
Visit the links below for more information.
University of Minnesota scholarships and fellowships
SJMC scholarships and fellowships
Graduate assistantships
University of Minnnesota Scholarships and 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:
Graduate School Fellowship: Intended for outstanding new students to the university's graduate programs, these one-year fellowships provide a stipend of approximately $15,000 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 SJMC faculty.
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 $15,000 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 SJMC faculty.
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. Students interested in this fellowship can download application materials here.
SJMC Graduate Student Fellowships and Scholarships
SJMC Graduate Support: Graduate students who have superior academic records are eligible for SJMC awards ranging from $1,000 to $12,000 annually. These awards are made as part of the admission process (submit the Application for Financial Support (PDF) with your application for admission) and may be renewed depending on funding and availability. These include:
- Stanley W. Carlson Graduate Scholarship
- Herbert Berridge Elliston Graduate Fellowship
- Faculty Scholarship for Graduate Students
- Arle and Billy Haeberle Scholarship
- Haeberle Broadcast Scholarship
- Hubbard Broadcasting Scholarship
- F. Gerald Kline Memorial Scholarship
- Jason Leidahl Scholarship
- Otto Quale Memorial Scholarship
- Tunheim Santrizos Company Scholarship
- David Shippee Memorial Scholarship
- Dr. James and Marsha Marsh Sternberg Scholarship
- William D.Wells Graduate Fellowship
- William F. White Memorial Scholarship
Silha Center Research Fellowship in Ethics and Law: Silha Research Fellowships offer graduate students, academics, and professionals the opportunity to engage in scholarly research in media ethics and law. Available to graduate students who have demonstrated interest and ability in the study of mass communication ethics and/or law. For further information about the Silha Research Fellows program, visit the Silha Center website or contact:
Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
University of Minnesota
111 Murphy Hall
206 Church Street S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612.625.3421
silha@umn.edu
SJMC Graduate Assistantships: In addition to scholarship and fellowship awards, graduate students may seek positions as research or teaching assistants. These positions involve quarter- or half-time appointments (most appointments are quarter-time) as assistants to the faculty and staff of the SJMC. Students obtaining assistantships are eligible for resident tuition rates and partial or full tuition waivers depending on their appointment (50% tuition waiver for quarter-time assistantship; 100% tuition waiver for half-time assistantship).
Teaching assistantships are available in many of our undergraduate professional and mass communication courses. Graduate students with job-related experience in news writing, reporting, broadcasting, advertising, public relations, and new media are eligible toassist in professional courses. Students without a professional background are eligible to assist in general mass communication courses. Graphics and broadcast lab positions are also available. Teaching assistantships are awarded to graduate students who have highly developed verbal proficiency in English and demonstrated degree objectives, scholarly achievement, experience, and financial need.
Research assistantships may also be available in association with faculty and center research projects.
Applicants to the graduate program who are interested in SJMC graduate assistantships should indicate their interest on the application for financial support (PDF). Current graduate students will be automatically considered for available assistantships.
University Graduate Assistantships: Other departments across the University often hire graduate students for various positions, which may include teaching, research, or administrative duties. These positions are listed on the Office of Human Resources website.