All applicants to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program’s two-year Program of Study are automatically considered for a graduate assistantship award. A graduate assistantship is a two-year position valued at up to $4500 per year in the form of a $3,000 financial aid tuition reduction and $1,500 work study program stipend. That is a total of up to $9,000 of financial support!

Graduate Assistantships are awarded to a select number of accepted students who have demonstrated a strong academic record and overall application. During the fall and spring semesters, assistants work 5 hours per week with faculty in the School of Social & Behavioral Sciences and perform duties such as assisting the faculty member with research projects, teaching, coordination of program/service activities, and related work.

Such experience is a particular advantage for students who intend to pursue admission to doctoral programs in counselor education and supervision, or in psychology. In recent years, assistants have co-presented research with faculty at various state, regional, and national counseling conferences. Students may apply for research/travel grants that provide funds to support student research and presentations.

In order to maintain the graduate assistant position, students must:

• Maintain enrollment in the advanced 2-year track,
• Maintain Good Standing in the program; that is, a student must not be on academic or non-academic (e.g., professional behavior) probation at any time, and
• Provide satisfactory service to the faculty.