Teaching assistantships (TAs), Graduate Part-time Instructorships, various graduate level awards are available to MFA students on a competitive basis. The department funds about 70% of accepted MFAÌýapplicants each year. Students applying for admission to the program do not need to apply separately for teaching assistantships.
MFA students who are TAs and GPTIs teach creative writing courses only (not composition or literature). If offered a teaching appointment upon admission, you can expect:
- During the first academic year, aÌýTeaching AssistantÌý(TA) is paid a monthly stipend set by the Graduate School. Based on the 2024-2025Ìýrates, first-year TAs are paid approximately $6,535.25 each semester with a tuition credit waiver of five (5) in-state or out-of-state tuition credits each semester. As a first-year TA, you will be responsible for leading one (1) section of ENGL 1191 Introduction to Creative Writing in the fall semester and one (1) section of ENGL 1191 Introduction to Creative Writing in the spring semester.
- After your first year of satisfactory teaching and academic performance, you will be promoted from a TA to Graduate Part-time Instructor (GPTI). Contingent upon course enrollment and availability, your funding offer will increase to three (3) sections of Creative Writing during yourÌýSecond-Year Teaching Graduate Part-time Instructorship (GPTI)ÌýandÌýThird-Year Graduate Part-time Instructorship (GPTI). Based on the current 2024-2025Ìýrates, the compensation for one semester at one (1) course assignment at the GPTI-rate is approximately $7,553.33Ìýwith a tuition credit wavier of five (5) in-state credit hours. The compensation for a second semester of two (2) course assignments at the GPTI rate is estimated to be approximately $15,106.66 with a tuition credit waiver of 9-18 hours of in-state tuition credits.
- MFA TAs and GPTIs also receive a 90% contribution towards the cost of the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Boulder Student Gold Health Insurance premium each semester as part of their compensation.
Tuition Remission for Teaching Assistantships:
Students with teaching assistantships are responsible for paying the cost of tuition for any credit hours taken in excess of what their waiver covers each semester. For example, if the TA compensation includes a waiver for 5 credit hours, and you enroll in 6 credit hours, you will be responsible for paying the difference in tuition cost between 5 and 6 credits. Non-resident students will be charged out-of-state tuition rates. Resident students will be charged in-state tuition rates. Tuition waivers may not be carried over between terms, and must be used in the same semester as the qualifying appointment
