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Department Assistantships

The department has a limited number of graduate assistantship (GA) positions available where you will work 20 hours per week. Assistantships are offered based on the skills and experience of the potential GA as well as departmental needs. Some assistantship appointments require first passing a background check. For a Department of Communication graduate assistantship, students generally work in one or more of the following areas: teaching assistant, research assistant, lab assistant.

Department of Communication graduate assistantships are typically awarded for up to 5 semesters (excluding summers) -- more than enough for you to complete your degree. Each position pays $9,500 gross per academic year ($950 per month for 10 months) and also waives all tuition and nearly all fees. (Each semester, a number of fees are not waived. Also, graduate students are responsible for paying any fees associated with taking online or hybrid courses. Fees and stipends are subject to change without notice.) Summer assistantships for students enrolled full time are also available, but only cover tuition remission and do not pay a stipend.

All Department of Communication graduate assistants must complete CMCN 501 within their first two semesters. This degree-applicable course introduces students to graduate study and educates them on the pedagogy of teaching. GAs are evaluated on their performance every semester.

If you are interested in applying for a GA, please fill out our online form.

Our alumni go places!

Royd Anderson

Royd Anderson is an award-winning filmmaker who wrote and directed the documentary The Luling Ferry Disaster for his master's thesis project.

"The knowledge I acquired in the master's of communication program at UL Lafayette has been indispensable."

Lola Arowolo

After graduating with her master's in communication, Lola now telecommutes as Global Brand and Marketing Manager at Nabirm Global. She's also currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Texas at Dallas.

"My teaching assistantship role allowed me to forge the public speaking skills that helped me present with confidence."

Lindsey Conlin

Lindsey Conlin is currently an assistant professor in communication at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she teaches a variety of courses including broadcast journalism.

"I was able to travel and do research with the professors at UL Lafayette, which positioned me well for future academic endeavors, and set me up to get a tenure-track job right out of graduate school."

Donna Guidry

Donna is a full-time morning radio show co-host for on 94.5 KSMB, part of the Cumulus Media cluster, where she is also the public affairs coordinator for two radio stations (KSMB and NASH 99.1).

"The UL Lafayette communication program curriculum offered superior knowledge, internship opportunities, work experience and academic networking; all of which were essential to finding multiple career options, success and stability."

Brittany LaCour

Brittany is a Market Intelligence Project Associate for Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA), focusing on demographic and statistical research, map building, market analysis, site evaluation and marketing.

"My experiences in graduate school have given me the confidence and strategic abilities to excel in local and state government."

Bandita Parajuli

Bandita traveled to Nepal after graduation and was involved in the disaster response program after a major earthquake in 2015.

"I feel that my specialization in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication at UL Lafayette has inculcated better understanding about the role of communication. Communication promoted connectedness, overcame the fear, and helped in this time of emergency."

Al Quartemont

KALB-TV news director, Al Quartemont, is a family man and a working TV news professional living 90 miles away from UL Lafayette in Alexandria, LA. Because of his busy schedule, Al opted to participate in the master's program on a part-time basis -- taking one evening class per semester instead of the full load of three classes.

"What drew me to UL was the fact that the program was designed with working professionals in mind."

Laneceya Russ

Laneceya Russ is a program director at Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR), a sexual assault center located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

"In the UL Lafayette communication program, I never felt like I was just a number. The professors always took an interest in my career goals and made sure that I acquired all the necessary skills to advance in my profession."

Chasah West

Chasah's goal in obtaining a master’s degree was to shift her career focus from writing press releases to implementing cross-media campaigns.

"The research and analysis I conducted for my thesis, and the communication campaign fundamentals I developed in class serve me well on a daily basis. As a web and social media director, I handle everything from media relations to project coordination, online advertising, social media management, and website copywriting."

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Department of Communication

College of Liberal Arts

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Department Assistantships

Royd Anderson

Lola Arowolo

Lindsey Conlin

Donna Guidry

Brittany LaCour

Bandita Parajuli

Al Quartemont

Laneceya Russ

Chasah West

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