FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The School of Social Work makes every effort to provide financial support to Ph.D. students, new and continuing. This is made possible by the productivity of our faculty who have an excellent record of obtaining funding from both state and federal funding sources. In addition, the UW Graduate School awards a limited number of prestigious fellowships to doctoral students nominated by their departments.

Financial Support Opportunities at the School

Teaching Assistant Many departments offer teaching assistantships. This title is appropriate for graduate students who have been assigned teaching responsibilities in an instructional department under the supervision of a faculty member. Teaching Assistants are included in a labor agreement between the state of Wisconsin and the Teaching Assistants Association.

Project/Program Assistant These titles designate graduate students employed to assist with research, training or other academic programs or projects. Project/Program Assistants are included in a labor agreement between the state of Wisconsin and the Teaching Assistants Association.

Research Assistant A Research Assistant must be a graduate student working toward a masters or PhD degree. The work performed is primarily to further the education and training of the student. Research Assistants are required to carry a full load each semester (eight to twelve graduate-level credits including research and thesis for nondissertators, three credits for dissertators), and at least two graduate-level credits during the eight-week Summer session (three credits for dissertators).

GRADUATE SCHOOL FELLOWSHIPS

The University Fellowship is a highly competetive distinguished award, which requires nomination from the School of Social Work. The Ph.D. Admissions Committee submits outstanding applications to the Graduate School, which are reviewed against a campus-wide pool. Recipients are chosen by early March.

The typical profile of a University Fellow includes extremely strong GRE scores (recipients have placed at or above the 90% in all three categories), an excellent academic record, unusually productive and distinguished undergraduate or early graduate activities, and excellent letters of recommendation.

The award includes an academic year of full tuition remission, monthly stipend (the academic year amount for 2006 was $15,120), as well as a $600 Welcome Award, and eligibility for excellent group health insurance.

The Advanced Opportunity Fellowship Program (AOF) is dedicated to increasing the number of students of color and/or educationally disadvantaged non-minority students at any stage of graduate study. The University of Wisconsin-Madison and the School of Social Work are committed to the advancement of ethnic minority scholars and professionals in the United States. Candidates for these fellowships also require nomination from the School of Social Work. The Ph.D. Admissions Committee submits eligible applications to the Graduate School.

A limited number of these fellowships are awarded to doctoral students entering the program, which provide two academic years of tuition remission, health insurance and a monthly stipend (the academic year amount for 2006 was $14,821). Candidates must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents. Preference for this award is given to Wisconsin residents.