The department currently has 15 Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA), and a few tuition scholarships. In addition, one or more Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) and fellowships may be available, but this varies from year to year. If you are interested in applying for an assistantship to support your graduate studies at the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, WSU, please fill out the assistantship application form and return it along with your application and completed reference forms to the department office, as decribed above. The financial support is awarded on a competitive basis to MS students, and early submission of your complete application is stronly advised.

The application for fall quarter admission into the Master of Science in Geological Sciences program is being accepted. Please visit the following links to download the program description and application forms. Please review the procedure, document requirements, mailing address, etc. for completing the application for admission. Enquiries regarding the MS program and the application for admission may be addressed to Dr. Abinash Agrawal, Graduate Studies Committee or the Department Secretary through e-mail or by Phone: (937) 775-3455.

The application for admission into the MS Program can also be completed ONLINE at the WSU's School of Graduate Studies website.

Number of available positions : 15
A Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) award carries a stipend for the academic year (3 quarters: Fall, Winter and Spring) and a full tuition fee waiver. The GTA award will typically begin in September, and it is intended as a two-year commitment; the GTA award will continue in the second-year (3 quarters: Fall , Winter and Spring quarters) contingent upon student's satisfactory academic performance in the first year. The GTAs will also be awarded a tuition fee waiver for the summer term, after the completeion of first academic year.

The GTA award can be combined with an Early Start Fellowship award that provides tuition and a stipend for the summer term (June-August) before the academic year begins, and it is awarded an a competitive basis to bright students interested in a research project. The Early Start Fellowship award offers the opportunity to become involved in a research project and other assignments for 1 quarter (Summer Term). The Early Start Fellowship award will carry a stipend for the summer term, and in combination with the academic year GTA award, the total award for the first year includes a full tuition fee waiver and a competitive stipend for 4 quarters.

A Graduate Teaching Assistant is required to work 20 hours per week for 11 weeks during the fall, winter, and spring quarters of the first and second years. First year Graduate Teaching Assistants with Geology/Earth Science background are generally assigned to teach Introductory Physical Geology and/or Historical Geology labs, and other related duties. Upper level undergraduate and graduate course labs are usually taught by the Graduate Teaching Assistants in their second year. A GTA Coordinator oversees the work assignments to the Teaching Assistants, and all the Graduate Teaching Assistants meet weekly with a supervising faculty member to review the upcoming week's assignments/grading, etc.

Number of available positions : variable
The Graduate Tuition Scholarship (GTS) awards are restricted to full-time graduate students and provide a full tuition fee waiver; however, the award does not carry any stipend or duties for the awardees. The GTS award may begin in the Summer or Fall term, and the award is intended as a 1 year commitment, with continuation contingent upon satisfactory performance. This award is typically made to students who are employed outside the university, such as teachers enrolled in the MST program, and other professionals.

Financial Aid for graduate study may also be available in the form of loans and/or grants from various WSU programs as indicated below. Such awards and assistance are not available through the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences:

General information and Graduate Fellowship Applications
Contact : School of Graduate Studies
Location : E-344 Student Union
Telephone : (937)-775-2976

Student Employment and College Work Study Information
Contact : Office of Student Employment
Location : E-334 Student Union
Telephone : (937)-775-2326

Student Loan Information
Contact : Office of Financial Aid
Location : E-136 Student Union
Telephone : (937)-775-5721