College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences > Academics > English > Student Resources > Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships

Each spring, the English Department awards approximately 5-6 Graduate Assistantships for the upcoming academic year. Any current or prospective student in the MA in English Literature and Publishing (MALP), MA in Writing and Publishing (MAWP), the MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing, or either of the combined degree programs may apply for an assistantship.

Graduate Assistantships carry:

  • Full tuition for up to 6 graduate-level courses taken for credit towards your degree during the academic year (up to 12 courses over two years if the award is renewed)
  • A stipend of $8,000 per year, up to $16000 if award is renewed, payable September through May.
  • In addition, DePaul offers student health insurance and various types of leave.

Graduate Assistants are assigned to work a minimum of 14 hours per week at the Lincoln Park or Loop Campus during the fall, winter, and spring quarters. These assignments include:

  • Writing Center tutoring
  • Performing editorial or administrative duties for in-house journals
  • Website and blog duties for English department

New students applying simultaneously for admission to one of the three graduate programs in English and for a graduate assistantship should submit the following materials as their application:

  1. A completed admission application form
  2. A 200-300 word personal statement describing your reasons for seeking a graduate degree
  3. A separate 200-300 word personal statement specifically outlining your qualifications and goals for an assistantship
  4. A 25-page writing sample (for MAWP/MFA students)
  5. A 10-15 page writing sample (for MALP students)
  6. Undergraduate transcripts from all institutions
  7. Two letters of recommendation from people familiar with your ability to perform academic and/or administrative work, especially former classroom instructors.

Current MALP, MAWP, and MFA students may also apply for a graduate assistantship. Check your BlueMail account for the department's email calling for applications. The email will include details about submitting new application materials in consideration for a GA position and/or accessing your original application materials should you choose.

Important Dates:

October 15 - Graduate assistantship award application opens.
January 15 - Deadline for submitting MALP, MAWP, or MFA admission applications if you are planning to also apply for a Graduate Assistantship.
March 1 (at the earliest) - Graduate assistantship awardees are notified.

Apply to the graduate assistantship award at: https://www.depaul.edu/apply/Pages/default.aspx​.

If you have additional questions about admission to the MALP, MAWP, or MFA or about applying for a Graduate Assistantship:

Please contact either Professor June Hee Chung at 773-325-4089 for the MA in English Literature and Publishing program, or Professor Rebecca Johns Trissler at 773-325-1762 for the MA or MFA in Writing and Publishing program.