Human Development

Ph.D. in Human Development- Support through Graduate Assistantships

The Department promotes professional development and provides financial assistance through Graduate Assistantships. Assistantships involve helping with teaching or research; serving as instructor of record for undergraduate courses; working in the Child Development Center for Learning and Research, Adult Day Services program, Family Therapy Center, or another research lab; or administrative work in the Department or Dean's offices.

Assistantships include a monthly stipend and a tuition scholarship proportional to the number of hours worked: 20 hours = full time work and includes full tuition remission; 15 hours = three-fourths time work and ¾ tuition remission; 10 hours = half time work and ½ tuition remission. Students assigned to 10 or more hours of assistantship have the out-of-state tuition premium waived. Graduate assistants are responsible for paying required comprehensive fees.

Eligibility for an assistantship includes holding "Regular" full-time student status as defined by the Graduate School, maintaining a quality credit average of 3.0 or higher, making satisfactory progress toward completion of degree requirements, and receiving satisfactory assistantship performance evaluations.

Although assistantships are normally made for the academic year, the Department may reassign a student to a different responsibility at any time, depending upon Departmental need, the student's performance, or unanticipated circumstances. If the student demonstrates inability to carry out the work required by an assistantship, the position may be withdrawn at the discretion of the Department Head.

To apply for an assistantship as an incoming student, give special attention to questions 15-23 on the Supplementary Departmental Graduate Application, which are used in determining awards and assignments. You must also complete the Graduate School Application for Assistantships, Scholarships, and Department Placement. Continuing students will re-apply at the end of each fall semester.

All graduate students are encouraged to apply for financial aid. See www.grads.vt.edu and www.finaid.vt.edu/.