College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences > Academics > Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse > Student Resources > Graduate Resources > Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance

​​The MA in Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse offers three forms of financial assistance to students:

  • New and returning MA in WRD students may apply annually for a Graduate Assistantship and/or a Partial Tuition Fellowship.
  • Students who have completed four credits in the program may apply quarterly for Partial Tuition Waivers.

1. Graduate Assistantships (GAs)

The MA in Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse offers graduate assistantships, each of which provides up to a full tuition waiver of 12 graduate-level courses required for the degree and a stipend of up to $8000. In addition, DePaul University offers students health insurance and various types of leave.

Any student who will be enrolled full-time in the MA in WRD for the entire upcoming academic year (two courses per quarter in the Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters) is invited to apply for a GA position. WRD GAs work for approximately fourteen hours per week, either as tutors in the University Center for Writing-based Learning (UCWbL) or as assistants to the department.

The application can be found here​ and is open from August until February 15 for the following academic year. Awardees will be notified by ​mid-April.

MAWRD GAs in UCWbL

Primary responsibilities include:
Each graduate assistant assigned to UCWbL works as a Writing Center Tutor. GAs also have the opportunity to apply to be a Student Leader, assisting with one of our Writing Center Teams or program initiatives. Every MAWRD GA assigned to work in UCWbL takes WRD 582: Writing Center Theory & Pedagogy their first quarter working for the Writing Center. Prior writing tutor experience is beneficial to receiving this MAWRD GA position.

MAWRD GAs in WRD

Primary responsibilities include:
Each graduate assistant assigned to WRD assists the department, performing duties such as writing for the WRD Blog and the department's social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn), assisting faculty with research tasks and projects, designing visual materials for department events, and helping to plan department events, which may include serving as a graduate student representative on the department's Student Community Committee or Equity Committee.

2. Partial Tuition Fellowships (PTFs)

Recipients of Partial Tuition Fellowships receive tuition reimbursement for three courses in an academic year. Award recipients must be enrolled full-time in the MA in WRD for the entire academic year (two courses per quarter in the Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters). The award, if renewed, covers a maximum of six courses over a two-year period.

How to Apply for a GA or PTF

  • Prospective students who wish to be considered for graduate assistantships must submit all of their program application materials to Graduate Admissions by the annual application GA/PTF deadline of February 15.
  • Prospective students must indicate their interest in the online application system, including submitting a 250-300 word cover letter describing their relevant experiences and skills in relation to your preferred MAWRD GA position. This cover letter is different than the Statement of Purpose required for the application to the MA in WRD program. 
  • Current students in the MA in WRD must submit a 250-300 word cover letter, two letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and an unofficial transcript. These materials must be sent to Professor Jason Kalin by February 15. 
  • Those candidates selected as finalists for GA or PTF awards will be contacted by mid-March by Professor Kalin. Final award announcements are typically made by mid-April.

Any questions regarding Graduate Assistantships should be directed to the Director of the MA in WRD, Professor Jason Kalin.

3. Partial Tuition Waivers (PTWs)

Students already enrolled in the MA in WRD may, if they meet the eligibility requirements listed below, apply quarterly for Partial Tuition Waiver (PTW) awards, which reward outstanding academic achievement. PTW awards provide a partial reimbursement for tuition paid for up to two WRD courses toward the MA in WRD degree in the quarter of application. The exact amount of the award depends on the number of eligible applicants, but it is typically 15-30% of tuition paid per 4-credit course.

Eligibility Requirements for PTWs

  • The student has completed at least one course (4 credits) in the MA in WRD program at the time of application for the award (courses transferred from another program are not eligible);
  • The student is enrolled in one or more WRD classes in the term of application for the award;
  • The student's cumulative grade-point average is 3.75 or higher; and
  • The student pays tuition and fees without financial assistance from any grant or scholarship agency or employee reimbursement program. DePaul 'Double Demons' are not eligible for PTWs. Students with student loans remain eligible for PTW awards.

There is no limit to the number of times that an eligible student may apply for and receive a PTW award during their MA degree. Please note that only WRD courses are eligible for PTW reimbursement awards.

Return to the MA in WRD home page.