Assistantships and Associateships

There are various levels of financial support available for the graduate students in the microbiology department. A limited number of research assistantships are funded by the research grant support of individual faculty members. Most students receive University support in the form of teaching assistantships. All students with financial support enjoy waiver of tuition, both in-state and out-of-state, but are required to pay the technology and fee, half the general fee, and half the metro fee.

The annual stipends for 2019-2020 include a Graduate Assistantship/Teaching Associateship ($21,169) + a Summer Fellowship ($2,100) for an annual total of $23,269. Under special circumstances, it may be possible to earn up to an additional $4,956 from research grants and/or departmental funds.

The Teaching Fellowships and Graduate Assistantships require no more than 20 hours per week in assisting and teaching microbiology course laboratory sections. The Summer Fellowship carries no teaching obligation. It is intended to give graduate students financial support while they are pursuing their thesis or dissertation research projects during the summer terms. All students appointed to teaching assistantships are eligible for the Summer Fellowships.

Assistantships and associateships are offered to all students admitted into our Master's or doctoral programs. As such, both admission to the program and financial support are awarded on a competitive basis. All applicants will be considered for financial support unless they express their desire not to receive financial assistance.

Note: Miami University requires all students to carry some form of major medical insurance. For those not covered under an existing family plan, there is a student health insurance plan available to all students. Unless you provide documentation of coverage, you will be enrolled in a group plan and your bursar account will be charged. The amount varies from year to year, but is usually in the neighborhood of $800 annually.

Cost of Living in Oxford, Ohio

The economic value of a graduate stipend should rightfully be evaluated in perspective to the cost of living. Adequate housing is available in Oxford for the academic season, so long as the necessary arrangements are made by late spring. The monthly cost of housing ranges from $250 to $425 among those students living in single rooms or apartments. The median cost is $325. Students sharing an apartment or house report monthly costs ranging from $165 to $300 with a median of $265. Our students generally believe that housing in Oxford is "reasonable." There is also a University housing unit which has been set aside for graduate students, with single rooms leasing for $770 per semester. Individual expenses for food and drink appear to be quite variable, with monthly estimates ranging from $100 to $350 with a median of $130. Room and board per year averages less than $5,300 for most students.

Individual expenses for food and drink for students housed off campus appear to be much more variable, with monthly estimates ranging from as little as $70 to as much as $350. Some of these student-provided estimates may be little more than wild guesses (or wishes); however, the median of $120 is probably close to the mark. Room and board per year averages less than $5,000 for most students.

Please send questions and comments to:
Director of Graduate Studies