For the Creative Writing and English Literature Graduate Programs

Except for special fellowships occasionally awarded to students already enrolled in our programs, the teaching assistantship is the only regular form of financial aid that the Department of English is able to offer. A number of assistantships are available each year and are awarded on a competitive basis. With satisfactory performance and progress toward the degree, a teaching assistant may have his or her assistantship renewed for one year.

Admission to the WSU Graduate School and, if applicable, acceptance into the MFA, MA, or MALS program is a prerequisite for teaching assistant candidates. Refer to the Wichita State University website www.wichita.edu or to the WSU Graduate Catalog for information about our programs in the Department of English and admission to the University.

Teaching assistants normally teach two sections of English Composition while taking six to nine hours of course work. All teaching assistants are required to take English 681: Editing American English and English 780: Advanced Theory and Practice in Composition. In addition, teaching assistants meet once a week with a syllabus leader and other teaching assistants who are teaching the same course. 

Teaching assistants are employed for the regular school year. Summer employment is a possibility, but the opportunities to teach in the summer are fairly irregular, and a teaching assistant should not make plans that are built upon the prospect of summer teaching. In addition to a stipend, teaching assistants receive a 100% reduction in basic tuition though not of other student fees. Tuition fees are not waived for undergraduate courses.

Graduate Teaching Assistant Application (PDF)

Submitting Your Application Materials

Please note that different application materials are sent to different places.

Teaching Assistant Applications, Expository Writing Samples and Letters of Recommendation are sent to:

WSU Department of English
Attention: MFA-GTA Application
1845 Fairmount, Campus Box 14
Wichita, KS 67260-0014
english@wichita.edu 

Graduate School Applications, official transcripts and application fee are sent to:

Graduate School
1845 Fairmount, Campus Box 4
Wichita, KS 67260-0004