All students admitted to the Ph.D. program receive full support in the form of tuition waivers (approximately $34,000 for 2009-2010), in addition to the guarantee of a stipend for a minimum of five years. Stipends currently amount to approximately $17,000 per year. During the first year students do not teach but derive part of their support from participation in a summer pedagogy seminar. Support for students in years two through four is usually tied to their work as instructors in the College Writing Program and sometimes to work as teaching assistants in the department. Support for students in the fifth year may come in the form of teaching assistantships or further work in the College Writing Program. Ph.D. students in the University of Rochester English Department receive excellent training in pedagogy, teach in a supervised environment, and may expect to compile a portfolio of teaching experience that will be a significant asset on the job market.

The University also sponsors a number of competitive fellowships, at significantly higher stipend levels, for students with exceptional qualifications. These include the Sproull Graduate Fellowships, the Dean’s Fellowships, and the Provost's Fellowships. The Department nominates candidates for appropriate University fellowships during the admissions process.

For advanced Ph.D. students, dissertation fellowships are available through the College and University, and English Ph.D. candidates have had a good track record in winning these.

College Home Page for Researching External Fellowship Opportunities

Registration to Receive Information about External Fellowships and Other Funding