Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of assistantships are available each year. Candidates seeking an assistantship must apply in writing to the Graduate Program Director by March 15 (for the Fall semester). Assistantships normally consist of a stipend of $18,000 per academic year (including the summer terms) for Doctoral students and $9,500 per academic year (excluding the summer terms) for Master students and a matriculation fee-waiver (24 credits for Ph.D. students and 18 credits for M.A. students). In exchange, students who receive assistantships must work twenty hours per week for the Department and must take a minimum of nine credits per semester and six credits in the summer (Ph.D. only). Students with more than eighteen graduate credits generally fulfill their work requirements by teaching one language class per term. M.A. students with assistantships are not required to register for courses or work for the department during the summer terms. They are, therefore, free to engage in any form of employment during the summer.

Assistantships are incompatible with outside employment of any kind during the Fall and Spring terms for MA students and during the whole year for Ph.D. students. Should there be proof of a student being employed elsewhere, the assistantship will automatically be terminated. Assistantships for the M.A. can be renewed up to a maximum of two academic years. Assistantships for the Ph.D. can be renewed up to a maximum of four academic years. Assistantships can be held for a maximum of five academic years when the student completes both the MA and the Ph.D. Renewal is not automatic but, contingent upon the student's successful performance in the following areas: (1) academics (2) work as graduate or teaching assistant, (3) participation in all the meetings and activities organized by the department. Renewals must be approved by the graduate committee in consultation with the student’s advisor and the Language Coordinator. In order to have the Teaching Assistantship renewed, ABDs will have to show adequate progress towards the completion of their dissertation. For information on additional special scholarships, please contact the Graduate Program Director.