Financial Support
Graduate Education & Graduate Assistantships
Graduate study in the Department of Chemistry involves education and training through graduate level courses, innovative research, mentoring by a faculty member, and engagement with colleagues and external visitors. Graduate students in the Department of Chemistry receive a package of financial support in the form of a graduate assistantship. The university defines a graduate assistant as both student and employee. As a student, a graduate assistant is expected to fulfill the responsibilities required by their courses and perform well academically. As an employee, graduate assistants are expected to fulfill their assigned obligations in teaching and/or research. All departments are required to follow university guidelines for graduate assistants, and within the various types of assistantships defined by the Graduate School, the Department of Chemistry appoints students as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) or as a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA).
The Graduate School defines an assistantship as a financial award to a graduate student for work in teaching or research while they simultaneously pursue an advanced degree. It can be thought of, in essence, as financial support for the student as an employee, whether those responsibilities be in research or in teaching, or in combination thereof. In the Department of Chemistry, a typical graduate assistantship is a 50% appointment (one-half time basis), and the remaining time is for fulfilling responsibilities as a student.
At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, appointments as a graduate assistant at a level of 25% or greater includes not only a stipend, but student health insurance and a waiver of maintenance fees, mandatory fees, and differential tuition for the period of appointment, in accordance with university policy. Cost of tuition is also covered for Chemistry graduate students on half-time assistantships.
Graduate School Fellowships
The Graduate School offers a limited number of fellowships to graduate students, and these are awarded on a competitive basis. Information regarding these fellowships, including application requirements and procedures and deadlines can be found here: https://gradschool.utk.edu/costs-and-funding/graduate-fellowships/.
Work Assignments & Related Factors
As noted above, Chemistry graduate students are both students and employees, typically employed at 50% time as either Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs), Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs), or in a “split” GRA/GTA appointment that carries 25% time responsibility as at GTA and 25% time responsibility as a GRA (for a total half-time, or 50% appointment). Students in GTA roles invest approximately 20 hours per week during the semester assisting in the teaching mission of the Department while students in GRA/GTA split appointments invest approximately 10 hours per week during the semester in those activities. Students in GRA roles are supported by grants and contracts from their major advisor. For the remainder of their time, graduate students are expected to fulfill the responsibilities of their coursework, whether that be in traditional lecture-style courses, seminar courses, or research hours, making continuous progress toward their degree.
The Graduate School establishes time limits for completion of all requirements for graduate programs – six years for a master’s program and eight years for a doctoral program. In addition, the Graduate School specifies that the maximum number of years that a graduate student can be appointed to a graduate assistantship is three years as a master’s student, five years as a doctoral student, or eight years in doctoral programs in which students enter with a baccalaureate degree only. Requests for an extension beyond these time periods must be made in writing by the academic unit to the Dean of the Graduate School.
The Department of Chemistry also establishes limits on the duration of departmental financial support: these limits are expressly stated within every offer letter. All students are encouraged to review that information routinely.
Outside Employment
Graduate students in Chemistry typically hold 50% time appointments as teaching or research assistants and they are expected to pursue coursework or research activity the remainder of their time. Outside employment, except for a few hours of tutoring, or other professional activity is prohibited. International Students are especially warned to discuss any opportunity to tutor elsewhere on campus with International Student and Scholar Services, which is part of the Center for Global Engagement; these are UT appointments that would increase their total employment to more than 50% and put students “out-of-status” with their F-1 visa. Any student involved in tutoring is required to report that activity to the department.
Financial Implications to Withdrawing, Termination of Employment
Graduate student appointments are semester-long appointments. While students may drop any and all classes prior to the start of the semester, once the semester officially begins, students are required to officially withdraw from the university in order to drop all of their classes. Withdrawing from the university has academic and financial implications.
Whether by withdrawing or by termination, any student who leaves before the end of the term is likely to incur financial burdens that become their responsibility. This includes students who plan on defending and leaving (terminating) prior to the end of semester. The amount of financial liability to the student is determined by the date when the student drops their courses or withdraws from the University. Students who are considering this are advised to review policies of One Stop Student Services related to Withdrawing from the University (https://onestop.utk.edu/withdraw/) and consult with a One Stop Student Services advisor to understand their liability. In addition, they should consult with their advisor and, as needed, the Associate Head for Graduate Programs.
Exit Process and Checkout Procedures
The University requires all regular employees and graduate students who are leaving the University to complete a checkout process before their last physical day of work. This process, (described at https://hr.utk.edu/exiting-process-and-terminations/) begins with the Department of Chemistry entering online the student’s ID number and their last day physically on campus, as well as completing paperwork for termination. The student will receive an email notifying them of the need to resolve outstanding debts or issues (building keys, library books, etc.). Failure to complete the entire checkout procedure has ramifications: leaving the University without completing the checkout process will result in the final paycheck being withheld.