Psychology

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Financial Support for Graduate Students

Graduate Assistantships and Graduate Teaching Assistantships

The Department of Psychology attempts to provide an assistantship to every Master’s and Specialist’s level graduate student desiring one if funds are available. At times, there may be graduate assistantships available in other departments on campus. In the psychology department, graduate students who hold assistantships might be involved with faculty research, assisting professors with psychology classes, applied work or working in the Educational Computer Lab. The amount of the stipends (paid monthly) may vary, depending on the particular assistantship duties. In 2019-20, most stipends for full-time (20 hours/week) assistantships were $8,000 for the academic year. Some students received half-time (10 hours/week) assistantships which paid $4,000 over the year. Assistantships are assigned through the Psychology Department Head or his/her representative. If interested in obtaining an assistantship, applicants should also complete and submit the "Graduate Assistantship Application Form" to the Graduate School, preferably by March 1st.

Tuition Waivers

A few partial tuition waivers (amounts vary greatly) are currently funded by the Graduate School and given through the graduate programs in the Psychology department. The availability and criteria for awarding the tuition waivers can vary from year to year. Program faculty consider a student's financial need and academic merit when making the awards. No application is necessary.

Health Insurance

Health insurance coverage, subsidized by the Graduate School, is available to graduate students for a nominal fee ($20/semester for the most recent academic year).  The university has a medical clinic on campus, GGC@WKU, across from Gary Ransdell Hall, and  the WKU Counseling Center for behavioral health needs.

Conference Travel

The Department of Psychology, the College Dean's Office, and the Graduate School provide funding to partially offset the cost of travel to a professional conference.

Research Grants

Graduate students can apply to the Graduate School for grants up to $750 to support research costs, including participant payments.

Scholarships