Annual Graduate Student Evaluation

Each Fall the Department of Anthropology conducts a review of graduate student performance. Each continuing student submits a brief annual report of his or her activities and contributions for the previous academic year; first year students need not submit a report. The Department of Anthropology’s Administrator maintains a dossier of essential data for each student, and relevant details should be included in the student’s report. This information includes the names and contact details of all advisory committee members, the dates of the MA and PhD exams, dates of submission of the plans of study, the date of completion of the language requirement, and the date of submission of the PhD prospectus. Other relevant information includes details of coursework, papers published or presented, professional meetings attended, grants or prizes received, and similar accomplishments.

The Graduate Committee normally holds its annual Graduate Student Evaluation Meeting in October or early November. Prior to the meeting, the major advisor, in consultation with the student’s advisory committee, submits a brief report summarizing the student’s progress to the Graduate Committee, allowing adequate time for the report to be read by committee members prior to their meeting. The committee evaluates students based upon student transcripts, student annual reports, and the reports from major advisors. Following the meeting,  students receive letters informing them whether their progress is satisfactory, and summarizing any relevant findings of the evaluation process

Funding Opportunities

UConn and the Department of Anthropology endeavor to provide eight semesters of funding to each graduate student who performs well in the program. Normally this is in the form of teaching assistantships, although some students are funded through faculty research grants. Additional sources of funding at UConn can be found on the Graduate School website.

Students are also encouraged to apply for externally funded fellowships, such as the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship

http://www.ed.gov/programs/jacobjavits/index.html

or the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=6201

UConn Graduate assistantships include tuition waivers and health insurance. Figures on current graduate stipends can be found on the Graduate School website where available student benefits are also described. Nominal increases in stipends can be expected when the student is awarded the MA and successfully passes the PhD exam.  Modest summer fellowships to fund exploratory fieldwork are awarded by the Department of Anthropology through an annual competition.  Normally students seek external funding to finance their dissertation research. Upon return from the field, the student may request one further year of funding for the data analysis and write-up phase of the dissertation.  Such an award will normally include some teaching duties.

For career development opportunities please visit UCONN Center for Career.