Prospective Graduate Students
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Our Charge
Preparing and inspiring scholars to transform our world.
From admission to graduation, The Graduate School (TGS) supports graduate students throughout their experience, awarding doctoral and master’s degrees in more than seventy disciplines. We are a resource throughout your academic journey.
Find Your ProgramApplication StepsPoints of Pride
See what makes TGS special, by the numbers
A Stipend for the 21st Century
$33,504
annually for PhD students through fellowships or assistantships. More on stipend rates
Support for Parents
12 weeks
paid parental leave for PhD students who are new parents. All family resources
A smooth transition
34%
of students are international, supported through language and other programs. See all supports
Connected to Campus & City
7 miles
between our Evanston campus and Chicago. Travel by free buses and trains. U-Pass transit programs
Ongoing Inclusion
1:1
mentor/mentee pairings in our Diversity Peer Mentor Program. More diversity initiatives
Funding Your Studies
Fellowships, grants, assistantship options, and more
TGS provides most doctoral students with a stipend and scholarship to pay tuition costs; they are supported for a minimum of five years. For master’s students, external grants and loans make graduate study accessible.
Funding OptionsTGS Spotlight
TGS is home to more than 3,200 PhD and 1,400 Master’s students, from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds. Get to know our diverse community.
Happenings at TGS
Don't miss news, opportunities and announcements.
News
Fall 2020 Message from Interim Dean Mayo
"As someone who has been involved in graduate education at Northwestern for 35 years as a teacher, mentor, and administrator, my mission is to ensure our graduate community remains represented and supported as we face the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, growing political and economic divides, and the devastating and continuing impacts of systemic racism and intolerance." Read the full message from Interim Dean Mayo.
Events
Last day to add a class or change a section for Fall
September 22, All Day
Last day to add a class or change a section for Fall
Last day for tuition adjustment related to enrollment changes (to...
September 29, All Day
Last day for tuition adjustment related to enrollment changes (to or from full-time) No reductions are made to bills for...
Announcements
2020–21 TGS PhD and MFA Hooding Ceremony Eligibility
The Graduate School's 2021 PhD and MFA Hooding Ceremony is tentatively scheduled to take place during the weekend of June 12-13, 2021 to coincide with Commencement. It is our hope that we will be able to host an in-person ceremony pending public health guidance. More details will be shared as they become available.
Fall 2020 Message from Interim Dean Mayo
"As someone who has been involved in graduate education at Northwestern for 35 years as a teacher, mentor, and administrator, my mission is to ensure our graduate community remains represented and supported as we face the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, growing political and economic divides, and the devastating and continuing impacts of systemic racism and intolerance." Read the full message from Interim Dean Mayo.