Assistantships

Valuable Opportunity

Research member in Devon Energy Hall Clean room.

Graduate teaching and research assistantships provide valuable opportunities for students in both the Ph.D. and M.S. programs at the OU School of Computer Science. However, it is important to note that these assistantships are not guaranteed due to various factors. The availability of assistantships depends on funding availability within the department, faculty needs, and the demand and size of classes or research projects.

Priority for assistantships is given to high-achieving graduate students who have made significant progress in their respective programs and have established a consistent rapport with faculty members. These assistantships are primarily granted to Doctoral/Ph.D. and Masters/M.S. students currently enrolled in the program.

Please note that the School of Computer Science does not guarantee any assistantship opportunities in either the PhD or MS programs.

Getting Started

If you are interested in a graduate assistantship, we encourage you to reach out to your assigned faculty advisor or the faculty member you desire to work with. Please provide them with essential information such as your degree pursuit (Ph.D. or M.S.), the semester you are seeking the assistantship for, and your specific interest in teaching (GTA) or research (GRA). This targeted approach ensures that your request is directed to the appropriate individual who can guide you further.

Essential information to provide when contacting a faculty member

Degree pursuit (PhD, MS)
Semester of assistantship
Course (if interested in Graduate Teaching Assistantship)
- Preference is given to candidates who have successfully completed the course with an "A" grade (or no less than a "B") as part of their graduate program at OU.
Research interest (if interested in Graduate Research Assistantship)

All eligible candidates are reviewed by the program and relevant faculty.

Do not mass email faculty

It is important to note that emailing all faculty members indiscriminately ("blanket" or "mass" emails) to inquire about assistantship availability or promote your candidacy is strongly discouraged. Instead, please only email your assigned or desired faculty member. This approach demonstrates professionalism and allows for more effective communication.

Impromptu Vacancies

For unexpected or last-minute assistantship vacancies, the department will email eligible students regarding the position announcement. However, it is crucial to understand that the School of Computer Science does not guarantee any assistantship opportunities for either the Ph.D. or M.S. programs. In many instances, faculty members often prefer to work with students they have known for some time. Therefore, we encourage students to explore other funding options and actively engage with faculty members to expand their academic and research prospects.

Assistantships are not guaranteed

Be aware that the School of Computer Science does not guarantee any assistantship opportunities in either the PhD or MS programs. Additionally, it is common for faculty to prefer engaging students whom they have known for an extended period when selecting participants.