Students begin thinking about future professional life early in their doctoral program, through professionalization workshops and other opportunities hosted by the department. The faculty in the Department are instrumental to students’ professionalization efforts, including developing pedagogical practices, publishing research, attending conferences, and preparing for the job market process. Students also consider the many departments, programs, and professional schools at Yale University as resources in their efforts to prepare themselves for careers inside and outside of the academy.
- Office of Career Strategy
- GSAS Assistant Dean for Professional Development
- Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning
- Graduate Writing Lab
Teaching Fellowships
All doctoral students have an academic requirement of three semesters of teaching at Yale, which they do while holding a Teaching Fellowship through the Teaching Fellow Program. Many students teach for additional semesters as well. Such experience working closely with faculty instructors provides important pedagogical training and teaching experience for students. Students serve as Teaching Fellows within the Religious Studies Department and other related departments as well as in some of Yale’s professional schools.
Other Teaching Opportunities
Doctoral students at Yale have additional opportunities to teach at the university:
- Through the Associates in Teaching Program, students co-teach a course together with another faculty member.
- Students may propose and apply to teach courses that fulfill the Writing in the Disciplines requirement for undergraduates and feature writing in a specific discipline. The application deadline is January 12, 2026. For more information, please contact Dean Pamela Schirmeister.
- Students may apply to teach one of six independent sections of HUMS 411, “Life Worth Living.” The application the deadline is March 31, 2026.
- Student may apply directly to the English Department to teach English 1014.
Students interested in developing their pedagogy over the summer can also apply to serve as summer instructors for the Yale Young Global Scholars. The Priority Deadline to apply for these positions is Dec. 9th and the Regular Deadline is Jan. 7th.
Professional Development Opportunities
With approval from the Graduate School, students may also pursue a Professional Development Opportunity in lieu of a standard teaching assignment. Students can see a full list of available professional development opportunities on the Graduate Student Teaching Opportunities page, where new opportunities are added regularly. They include:
- Beinecke Library Research Fellowships
- Center for British Art Assistantships and Funding
- Yale University Art Gallery Assistantships
Yale Graduate Impact (YGI) Fellowship
The Yale Graduate Impact (YGI) Fellowship allows doctoral students to pursue external work experiences related to their academic research at organizations outside of Yale in order to develop professional skills and gain work experience. Students design their own poitions in conversation with an appropriate organization, including museums, presses, and nonprofits.
GSAS Professional Experience (GPE) Fellowships
The GSAS Professional Experience (GPE) Fellowship is designed to expand opportunities for doctoral students years 2-6 of their studies to strengthen their professional skills and broaden career exposure by working with experienced administrators outside of their academic programs. Fellows work at a Yale host organization under the guidance of the host mentor for 5-7 hours per week over the course of 13-15 weeks during the semester. Host offices across Yale take advantage of the diverse array of skills that PhD students offer to advance their programming and projects. Fellows receive $1500. International students should consult with their OISS advisor to confirm eligibility. The GPE Fellowship does not count towards the fulfillment of your teaching requirement.
McDougal Fellows Program
The McDougal Fellows Program aims to provide graduate students with the opportunity to collaboratively work with deans and directors overseeing recruitment, retention, community building, career and professional development, and student well-being.