Graduate Education--How the U.S. System Works Following World War II, the United States made the decision to support a large portion of its fundamental research through universities. That decision not only created a fertile training ground for future researchers, but also invigorated university-based research with the energy and ability of bright young graduate students. Graduate education at the doctoral level in the U.S. is a combination of study and apprenticeship. Along with taking courses and seminars, a student works with a faculty mentor in teaching and research. This is a dynamic partnership that matches the skills of an experienced faculty member with the excitement and creativity of a young colleague. The primary purpose of graduate students' teaching and research activities is to enable them to acquire an understanding of teaching and research techniques. At the end of their course of study, they are required to demonstrate they can do independent research. The primary purpose of their financial support is to meet their costs of living and costs of education. Diversity. Graduate education is becoming more diverse. Ph.D. recipients from minority groups increased from 6.3 percent of total recipients in 1985 to nearly 13 percent in 1996. In 1996, 40 percent of Ph.D. recipients were women. How Are Graduate Students Supported? Along with their own resources-including family support and student loans-there are a variety of mechanisms for U.S. graduate students to finance their living costs and costs of education. Traineeships and Training Grants. These awards are block grants made to departments or to interdiscipinary groups for supporting graduate students they select. Along with support for the individual students, the grants also help support the graduate education program. Such grants enable academic departments and programs to target particular types of students-such as women and under- represented minorities-or to build programs in new or emerging fields of study. Training grants are found primarily in the natural sciences and engineering. Individual Fellowships. Fellowships are awarded to individual students, not to institutions. A student can use a fellowship at any school of his or her choice. Research Assistantships. With a research assistantship, a graduate student receives research training and financial support funded as part of a professor's research grant. The advantage of this type of support for students is that it ensures the focused interest of the faculty advisor in the student's research and provides necessary research supplies and equipment. These grants are found primarily in the biological and physical sciences and in engineering. Teaching Assistantships. As part of preparation for a faculty career, a graduate student may receive a teaching assistantship in which he or she learns how to teach by participating directly in the education of undergraduate students. This may include a variety of experiences such as leading small discussion groups, developing and grading exams, conducting laboratory sessions, and presenting formal lectures. Teaching assistantships are offered in nearly all disciplines. --Prepared by the Association of American Universities, March 2000