There are three quarters during the year when teaching assistants are employed. The summer quarter sometimes offers teaching opportunities for graduate students, but these are not considered part of the funding package. All doctoral students must fulfill a teaching requirement of six quarters. During any year in which a doctoral student is enrolled, he or she can be nominated for a Continuing Fellowship by the graduate faculty. These fellowships reflect a high level of achievement in the program.
Doctoral candidates can also receive funding for a trip to a conference.
Doctoral students are also sometimes offered teaching opportunities within the department, such as summer teaching or filling in for faculty on leave. These opportunities are not guaranteed upon admission and represent a matching of the needs of the department combined with the merits and abilities of the student. They are also often paid by the merit-based departmental fee fellowships. During the 4th year, some students might receive a teaching assignment, as available. Other students are awarded a fellowship, as available.