Financial Support for Graduate Students

In general, all full-time doctoral students receive complete financial support in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, or research assistantships. This support is available throughout a student's graduate career, including the summer sessions. Every effort is made to support continuously all full-time doctoral students who maintain normal academic progress during their graduate program.

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching assistantships generally involve service as undergraduate recitation or laboratory instructors. Students typically serve from two to five terms in this capacity. Teaching assistantships carry a stipend of $1,749.38 per month/$20,992.50 for three terms (2006-2007 levels). Each teaching assistant also receives a full scholarship (in excess of $29,000 for out-of-state students), which covers tuition for three terms and the health fee for two terms. In addition, the University pays the cost of UPMC health insurance (~$1,400 for individual coverage) for all teaching assistants. The total value (2006-2007 levels) of a three-term appointment for an out-of-state student is in excess of $50,000. After the first year, students with teaching assignments are appointed as teaching fellows which carry a stipend of$1,820.00/$21,840.00 for three terms (2006-2007 levels).

Research Assistantships

Research Assistantships are available through the various research grants and contracts awarded to faculty by government agencies, private foundations, and industry. The stipend varies with the experience of the graduate research assistant, and ranges up to $2,000.50 per month (for 2006-2007). Graduate research stipends also include full tuition benefits and medical insurance.