Research and Teaching Assistantships

The Department of Criminology, Law and Society funds full-time doctoral students via Graduate Research and Teaching Assistantships.  Funding for these assistantships comes from the university, private foundation donations, and faculty grants.

Doctoral students with Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs) support faculty research.  Students receive hands-on experience working closely with faculty to learn the skills of research and evaluation and often interact with practitioners and policy makers.

Doctoral students who receive a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTAs) support teaching activities in the department. Students may teach sections of undergraduate courses/labs, support instructors teaching large classes, or be involved in tutoring, advising, and curriculum development.

Students with an assistantship are expected to work 20 hours a week during the academic year and typically receive a stipend, tuition credits, and health insurance. The stipend amount and number of tuition credits varies depending on the particular position.  Students who hold a GRA/GTA position at Mason must be full-time and may not engage in any other on- or off-campus employment during the academic year without special permission. Assistantships are reserved for doctoral students, but MA students may be offered an assistantship on occasion.