Financial Support

Students accepted into the Ph.D. Program are normally awarded a half-time teaching or research assistantship, scholarships, and summer teaching support. For the 2008-2009 academic year, this financial package totals $20,305 per year. Four-year funding is available for students making satisfactory progress toward their degree. Qualifications for summer instruction include completion of at least one semester of course work, satisfactory performance on any prior teaching responsibilities, acceptable progress toward the degree, and completion of English language proficiency skills that the university requires of international students. Alternatively, summer support for research-related fellowships is also available. Additional funding is also available through graduate fellowships provided at the university level. Ph.D. students on four-year funding generally receive a full educational fee waiver. The college provides each doctoral candidate with $2,000 in development funds and departments offer support for research projects and travel associated with research presentations at major academic conferences. A medical insurance subsidy is provided for those with teaching or research assistantships. In addition, Ph.D. students receive a discount on purchases made at the University Book Store.