Doctoral Program Duration and Funding

Progressing smoothly through the recommended program guidelines enables admitted students to complete their studies in four or five years, at which time they are ready to pursue their academic careers at other academic institutions.

Students are expected to be involved in the Ph.D. learning experience year-round and are typically funded on a 12-month basis. Unless self-funded, admitted students are guaranteed financial support funding for four years subject to satisfactory performance, and additional funding is optional and available to qualified students. Qualified students must have demonstrated good teaching credentials and, more importantly, a promising research pipeline such that an additional year in the program is likely to lead to journal publications and strong academic job placement opportunities. Otherwise, self-funding is the default beyond four years.

Students receiving financial support funding from the Whitman School can expect the annual financial support package to include:

• Full tuition waiver of up to 24 credits a year.
• A competitive academic year (nine-month) stipend to cover living expenses and more; note that the low cost of living in Syracuse is significantly lower than in large cities.
• Fringe benefits (e.g., University-subsidized health insurance coverage).
• Summer research stipend (three months) to support work on mentor-directed research projects.
• Travel funding to academic conferences in your area of specialization