 
Many full-time graduate students receive some financial assistance from the University. Most hold appointments as Teaching Assistants (TA) or Teaching Fellows (TF). A few are Graduate Student Researchers (GSR) or Andrew Mellon Fellows. Most of the TA commitments are made as a Fall/Spring package. Summer support is dependent upon the teaching needs of the Department during the Summer term, so there is no guarantee of more than two terms of support per year. The normal duration of support is as follows: M.A. and M.S. degrees - 2 years; Ph.D. - 5 years. (In certain circumstances a 6th year may be granted by the Graduate Committee). The minimum monthly salary for a TA is presently $1,550. Thus a new TA can expect to receive $12,400 for a two term appointment and $17775 for three complete terms. In addition, TAs, TFs and GSRs receive full tuition scholarships and health benefits. Teaching assistants and fellows are expected to work 20 hours per week in addition to the time required for course work and study. The administration of TA/TF and research assistantships is outlined in the University of Pittsburgh's Policy Statement for TA/TFs and the Policy Statement for GSRs. Prospective students interested in admission and/or consideration for financial assistance should contact the Department for the necessary application materials. Those wanting Fall term appointments are strongly encouraged to return the completed forms by the 1st of February. However, applications arriving later are sometimes accepted. Finally, students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless they have already completed a degree program at an accredited U.S. institution. In addition, all students whose native language is not English and who have been appointed as teaching assistants must take the English Language Comprehensibility Test after their arrival. |
