We're here to support you.
Unlike the programs in other countries, financial support is not tied to a specific professor or research project. Students come in with full funding from the Graduate School, which allows students to only take classes the first year of study. During the following years, students are teaching assistants in the department, often rotating between different faculty members across semesters.
Funding Level
If you are in good standing, the Graduate School funds students (that is, providing tuition remission and a fellowship) for at least four years - often longer.
Students can also apply for University fellowships such as The Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin – Chancellor’s Fellowship during the PhD program application process. (Please see the Fellowship website for details on deadlines and requirements.)
Teaching Requirements
From your second year through ABD status, students participate in mentored teaching experiences (MTEs) as assistants in instruction (AIs). MTEs provide you with training in instruction by working with faculty members in the classroom environment. During your first year of the program, you will concentrate on course work, and after your reach ABD status you will focus on writing your dissertation.
Summer Support
The dean of the Graduate school typically approves summer research stipends for students who have a project or activity that has met with department approval. Stipends for summer projects are approximately $3,000. We can also provide some support for you to attend programs associated with your research needs, such as intensive language and statistical/mathematical programs. Professors with research grants often hire students to work as research assistants during the summer, as well. Many students teach in our Summer School program to earn extra money and to gain classroom experience. Finally, there are a number of interdisciplinary programs at Washington University that run summer programs of interest to our graduate students, and participation in these programs often includes financial support. Among these are programs in American Culture Studies; the Center for New Institutional Social Sciences; the Center on Political Economy; the Weidenbaum Center for the Study of Government, the Economy, and Public Policy; the Center for Global Legal Studies; as well as programs in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, African and African-American Studies, and International and Area Studies. Finally, the dean of the Graduate School typically approves summer research stipends for students who have a project or activity that has met with department approval.
Professional Conferences
The department provides funding to attend professional conferences. The amount of money varies from year to year, but many of our students attend two meetings annually.
Other Ways Students Can Earn Money
First, as noted above, professors often hire students to work as research assistants during the school year and the summer. Second, many students teach in our Summer School program and, during the academic year, in Washington University's night school (University College). Third, the department has a limited amount of money to help graduate students offset the costs of research associated with dissertation expenses. In the past, we have used this money to send students abroad, print mail surveys, and so forth. Finally, many advanced graduate students apply for outside funding for help with their dissertation research. Faculty members are quite willing to assist you in preparing a grant application.