During the first year of teaching at the University of Pittsburgh, students receive a teaching assistantship (TA). If a student’s teaching is deemed satisfactory by the graduate faculty based on OMETs and teaching observations, he or she will receive a teaching fellowship (TF) during their remaining years teaching in the department. The expected time to degree in the Department of Classics is five years. If additional time is required to complete the degree, students are expected to apply for dissertation funding (both internally and externally). Assistantships include full tuition remission, health benefits at no additional cost, and a stipend.
See information on current stipend rates.
Classics Departmental Graduate Summer Fellowship
The Department of Classics encourages graduate students to apply for a Departmental Graduate Summer Fellowship. This fellowship is designed to assist students who are carrying out research and reading over the summer period in order that they not be hindered by employment obligations during this time. The stipend for the summer period is $8,000.
Please note that:
- Only students who are within the five years of the departmental funding package and who are making good progress towards the pursuit of a Ph.D. degree qualify.
- Students may apply for other sources of summer funding. However, they cannot both teach or hold outside employment and receive a fellowship in the same summer.
- As a condition of accepting these funds, students will be required to submit to their advisor a brief description of their activities over the summer period for which the fellowship was received.
To apply for a summer research fellowship, please complete the application form and contact Christian Wildberg, the Director of Graduate Studies.
Additional Sources of Assistance
Provost's Humanities Fellowships
Graduate applicants are encouraged to apply for the Provost's Humanities Fellowship. This fellowship is awarded to students of exceptional ability and promise. The recipient will be selected on the basis of academic achievement and promise of research contributions. A stipend of approximately $23,628.00 was awarded for the 2022-2023 academic year plus a tuition scholarship for the duration of the fellowship. Provost’s Humanities Fellows are expected to engage in full-time study during the periods of their fellowship. No additional duties will be required or permitted. Please contact the Director of Graduate Studies before submitting your application.
Applications must include:
- Transcripts of all previous academic work
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- No more than a two page Curriculum Vitae
Andrew Mellon Predoctoral Fellowships
Graduate applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for the Andrew Mellon Fellowship. This fellowship is awarded to students of exceptional promise and ability either when they first enroll in the Ph.D. program or when they have advanced to the dissertation stage. No service is required by successful candidates.
Robert S. Marshall Fellowships
These fellowships are limited to students of eceptional ability and promise in Classics.
Lillian B. Lawler Fellowship
Two fellowships (plus tuition for two terms) are awarded annually to full-time, advanced-level graduate students pursuing a Ph.D. in Classics, English, French, Hispanic, History, or Slavic who show potential for an outstanding career in teaching and research. No service is required.
Provost’s Development Fellowships
These University fellowships are awarded to U.S. citizens on the basis of need and merit to provide development opportunities for women, minorities, and disadvantaged students pursuing the doctorate. They generally carry a stipend and full tuition for two terms. Both incoming and continuing students are eligible to apply.
K. Leroy Irvis Fellowships
In 1994, the University of Pittsburgh established the K. Leroy Irvis Fellowships to enhance the academic excellence and diversity of the Pitt's graduate student body and prepare doctoral students for academic and research careers. Each year, schools select distinguished doctoral applicants who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement to participate in this prestigious program, which provides a non-duty bearing fellowship for the student’s first year of doctoral study as well academic guidance and cohort-based mentoring throughout the student’s doctoral studies.
Dean’s Tuition Scholarships
A limited number of tuition scholarships are available for students who are not funded by teaching assistantships or fellowships. Priority is given to students who have completed all course requirements, are working on the dissertation, have exhausted all departmental support, and need to be minimally registered in order to use University facilities.
Learn more about funding opportunities within Arts and Sciences.
Graduate students in Classics are also encouraged to apply for discipline-specific funding pools. A list of funding opportunities is available.
For more information on these fellowships and how to apply, please contact Christian Wildberg, the Director of Graduate Studies.