The Department offers teaching Assistantships to qualified candidates for the Ph.D. degree. This award covers health insurance and partial student fees plus a stipend. Teaching Assistantship does not cover non-resident tuition. Renewable with good standing, satisfactory academic progress toward degree objective, and according to the number of quarters of support already received from the Department. Teaching appointments are for one quarter, two quarters, or an academic year, and are self-terminating. Prior to advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D., the total length of service rendered by a graduate student may not exceed four years (12 academic quarters). After advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D., a graduate student may be appointed for an additional 6 quarters. A 19th quarter will not be approved. All applicants whose primary language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in English for admission consideration. However, this requirement will be waived automatically for applicants who have received an advanced degree from an accredited U.S. college or university. Proficiency in English may be demonstrated by passing one of two standardized, internationally administered tests: TOEFL (the Test of English as a Foreign Language); or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The applicant should take one of these tests at the earliest available date to ensure that the scores are reported in time to meet application deadlines.