Graduate Assistantships & Funding
We believe professional experience in tandem with the curriculum is essential for students to be best prepared for their career. Therefore, all full-time students are guaranteed a paid graduate assistantship while they are in the program. All part-time students should already be working full-time in higher education (or in an adjacent field).
Offering guaranteed paid GAships is one of the top priorities and highlights of our program! This allows students to gain two years of work experience while taking classes, which makes them extremely competitive when they are graduating and looking for full-time employment.
GAship Details:
鈥� Approximately 30+ WCU offices to select from
鈥� Typical stipends: $10,500鈥�$12,000 per year (does not include summer break or the
winter holiday break)
鈥� Assistantships average 20 hours per week for a 15-week semester (300 hours each
semester at approximately $17.50/hour)
鈥�&苍产蝉辫;View additional GA information
鈥�&苍产蝉辫;View a list of all GA placement options, descriptions, and associated stipends
In addition to GAships, students complete two internships for course credit that are 150 hours each lasting one semester. For more information on internship course, click here.
GAship Selection Process:
鈥� Using the Placement Options Document, applicants will rank their top 3 desired placements
and submit the GA Application Form within the Admissions application.
鈥� Once admitted to the program (March-April), faculty will facilitate an introduction
with available placements and students to have an interview (usually on zoom). This
is a mutual selection process.
鈥� Once a match is made, the student will complete hiring and onboarding with their
placement.
鈥� Students serve in their GAship for a full academic year (600 hours total) and have
the option to renew or identify a new placement for their 2nd year in the program. Faculty advise students through this process.
What Does this Degree Cost?
WCU prides itself on offering affordable graduate education. The cost for a full-time
student (9 credit hours) is:
鈥� In State: 5,362.04 per semester
鈥� Out-of-State: 10,721.54 per semester
鈥� The HESA Program is committed to supporting out-of-state students and has numerous
options once a student is admitted
More info about Graduate Tuition and Fees (scroll for cost calculator)
More info about PART-TIME GRADUATE TUITION AND FEES
More info about WCU employee tuition waiver program
