Financial support is available to graduate students in the form of a stipend, full tuition coverage, healthcare and benefits. The primary sources of stipends include teaching assistantships, research assistantships and fellowships. For over 35 years, all graduate students in good standing have received funding for at least five years.
Teaching Assistantships
All graduate students are eligible for a teaching assistantship each year. Teaching assistantships are nine-month appointments with an approximate stipend of $21,000 plus tuition and student health insurance (as of the 2023-2024 academic year). Additionally, summer funding opportunities are available to supplement the nine-month stipend with approximately $3,000 per year.
Research Assistantships
Graduate students often receive research assistantships with variable stipends (comparable to, but sometimes greater than, those of teaching assistantships) and duration. Typically, research assistantships are funded by federal or state research grants awarded to a faculty member (either within or outside the department) or to a UK research center on campus (e.g., the Markey Cancer Center or the Center for Health, Engagement, and Transformation).
Fellowships
Several college and university fellowships are available on a competitive basis to both incoming and continuing graduate students. All students admitted to the program are automatically considered for fellowship support. The Dean of the Graduate School administers fellowships, and awards are made by the University Fellowship Committee upon the recommendation of the Director of Graduate Studies in consultation with the Departmental Admissions and Awards Committee. Fellowship stipends and award durations vary.
The Department of Psychology is also home to the Interdisciplinary Training in Alcohol Research grant. This NIAAA-supported T32 program provides two-year, full research fellowships for graduate students whose interests include the pharmacology of alcohol and alcohol use disorders. Students are also competitive for other interdisciplinary National Institutes of Health TL1 and T32 fellowships based on campus. These provide focused research and professional training opportunities in drug use and clinical and translational science.
Research and Professional Development Support
Some funds are available to support student-led thesis and dissertation research. Funds may be used for equipment, supplies, postage, special software licenses, participant compensation or other expenses. There are also funds available to support professional development activities, such as conference or workshop registration fees. Available funds vary from year to year, but this information is made available to everyone near the start of each academic year.
Dennis and Sarah McCarty Alcohol and Drug Dissertation Research Fund
The fund supports the doctoral dissertation research of graduate students. Students meeting the following criteria are eligible for the award:
- Accepted and enrolled in the university.
- Pursuing a doctoral degree in the department.
- Thesis or dissertation research interests in alcohol and other drug use or the prevention/treatment of alcohol and drug use disorders.
- Demonstrated potential for academic success.
Robert S. Lipman Graduate Fellowship in Psychology
Fellowship shall be awarded to students who are: - interested in researching substance abuse prevention and treatment.
- in good standing and making good progress toward their degree.
Robert S. Lipman Research Fund for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Fellowships shall be awarded to students who are:
- interested in researching substance abuse prevention and treatment.
- experienced in research.
- able to conduct a successful interview with departmental faculty.
Graduate Student Travel
Some funds are available to support graduate students' travel to professional and scientific meetings to present their research. Travel to collect research data may also be supported. Recently, funding for travel and for professional development or research has been bundled and is not considered an additional pot of money.
Other Sources of Funding
Advanced graduate students are permitted to teach undergraduate laboratories and, in some instances, serve as the Instructor of Record for an undergraduate course. The number of these awards varies according to the department's needs and students' capabilities and interests. The appointment is for the semester and carries a prorated stipend. The recipient pays for all fees, but some tuition scholarships are available.
If the above forms of financial assistance have been exhausted, all efforts are made to place students in part-time jobs that align with their interests and talents. Placements at local psychiatric facilities and school districts have included psychological testing positions and teaching assignments at nearby community colleges
Historically, all graduate students in good standing have received full funding.