Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships

Most graduate students in English receive positions as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs). Our GTAs typically teach our composition courses (English 101 and 102).  Advanced graduate students are eligible for other assignments by their second or third year.

For PhD students, we guarantee funding for five years to everyone we admit, in the form of GTA positions. The current stipend is $18,500. University tuition is waived. College tuition is refunded 100%. Students are responsible for university fees.

For MFA students awarded a GTA, compensation is guaranteed for three years. The current MFA stipend is $16,750. University tuition is waived.  Students are responsible for college tuition and university fees.

For MA and MA-PWE students, we guarantee funding for two years. The current stipend is $16,000. University tuition is waived. Students are responsible for college tuition and university fees.

Additional Opportunities

Current graduate teaching assistants have the opportunity to apply to a variety of special projects and centers. Positions (which may carry a partial release from teaching duties, a stipend, or both) include:

·       Appalachian Prison Book Project (research assistant)

·       Center for Writing Excellence (various)

·       Eberly Professor of English (research assistant to Prof. Timothy Sweet)

·       ENGL 496 mentor (to guide undergraduate senior-thesis projects)

·       Jackson Professor of English (research assistant to Prof. Stephanie Foote)

Appointments are made by the faculty members associated with these positions or programs.