Those who attain the Ph.D. are expected to emerge from their studies not only with expertise in their academic fields, but with dedication and skill as teachers. Thus, admission to the doctoral program carries with it the award of a teaching fellowship. Fellows begin by teaching introductory composition, but later will teach advanced composition, and perhaps literature and business or technical writing. Generally, fellows take colloquia designed to guide their teaching .
Fellows teach three three-hour courses each year.
They will be paid a stipend and will be granted a tuition waiver. Fellows are also eligible for University Research Fellowships, the Steffensen Cannon Scholarship, the Sherman Brown Neff Fellowship, the Jack Hale Adamson Dissertation Fellowship, and the Clarice Short Teaching Award. Special Senior Assistantships in the University Writing Program may be awarded to students who have passed their preliminary examinations and completed their four years of residency, provided that they have demonstrated noteworthy progress on their dissertation. Such assistantships will be available for one year only. Should a teaching fellow be in residence a fourth year, every effort will be made to assign him or her a third section of 2500.