Typically, a graduate student admitted to our graduate programs with an offer of support will receive a half-time (20 hrs/week), 9-month (academic) assistantship appointment beginning August 16 and ending May 15 of each academic year. Financial support can also be provided in the form of fellowships or grant-supported research assistantships. A student who enters our graduate programs with a bachelor’s degree is paid a lower salary than one who has received a Master’s degree at another institution (with the Master’s thesis subsequently accepted by the appropriate program at WSU). All first year students are normally put on appointment at the lower salary and adjusted accordingly following the first semester of enrollment, if necessary.

Assistantship appointments may also include the assignments of in-state and out-of-state tuition waivers. These are paid, for the most part, by the university. To be eligible for either type of waiver, graduate students MUST BE: living in the State of Washington, be enrolled for a minimum of 15 credits per semester, on an appointment of 50 percent or greater, make satisfactory progress within the program, fulfill the duties of their assistantship adequately, and remain in good standing academically (3.0 cumulative GPA).

For the 2007-2008 academic year, in-state tuition is $3775/semester and out-of-state tuition is $9199/semester (which includes the in-state portion). Both in-state and out-of-state tuition waivers are routinely awarded to incoming students. Out-of-state tuition waivers, however, become negotiable after the first year between the Psychology Department, College of Liberal Arts Dean’s Office, and the Graduate School. Consequently, the expectation is that application for residency in the State of Washington will be made at the end of the first year.

While the university covers most of the cost of tuition, a small residual amount must be paid by the student. The out-of-pocket expense for the 2007-2008 academic year is $717 per semester. This amount does not include books and school supplies.

Finally, graduate student medical insurance is included as a benefit paid by the university. Supplemental student insurance is available for family members at a reasonable rate through the university.