Helpful Resources for Graduate Students
Graduate Student Insurance
Insurance is provided to graduate students who are on assistantship through Cougar Health Services. Information can be found at the Cougar Health Services website.
Residency
Because tuition is considerably less expensive for Washington residents than out-of-state students, you should establish residency right away after you arrive in Washington State. Information on establishing residency and forms can be found on the graduate school website.
Graduate School Forms
All forms must be submitted through the SBS Graduate Coordinator, Leah Mickelson leah.mickelson@wsu.edu
Common Forms Include:
- Program of Study: Your program plan for completing your degree
- Plan and Degree Level Change: Submit this form if you wish to change your major or degree level. Contact Graduate Admissions for additional information.
- Program Change : Submit this form if your approved program of study has changed. Be aware of dates and deadlines.
- Scheduling Exam : Procedures for scheduling standard exams. Students must have an approved Program of Study on file at the Graduate School before scheduling examinations.
- ABD Waiver: If you have passed your preliminary exam and have completed your formal program of study course work, you can apply for an ABD waiver
- Committee Change: If you would like to change your committee, use this form.
- BIOL 491, 495, 496, 499, 600, or 702: This form is an agreement of completion for credit
View a complete list of graduate student forms.
Cotton Page Approval Instructions for Students
Cotton Page Approval Instructions for Faculty
Appointment Requests
To schedule an appointment, please contact our graduate coordinator directly:
Leah Mickelson
Abelson Hall, room 301
phone: 509-335-3553
Generalized Timeline for Thesis MS Degree
Year 1
- Fall: coursework, assemble thesis committee, file program of study
- Spring: continue coursework, begin research, present research proposal
- Summer: continue research
Year 2
- Fall: complete coursework, complete data analysis
- Spring: write and defend thesis, graduate
Generalized Timeline for PhD Degree
5 years with MS, 6 years without
Year 1
- Fall: coursework
- Spring; continue coursework, assemble committee, file program of study
- Summer: begin research project
Year 2
- Fall: continue coursework, continue research
- Spring: complete coursework, take oral qualifying exam
Year 3
- Fall: complete proposal defense (enroll in Bio 501), apply for extramural funding, take courses as needed
- Spring: continue research, take courses/seminars as needed
Final Year
- complete research, write and defend thesis
Non-discrimination Notice
In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity), race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.
WSU policies comply with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations, including, but not limited to: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 USC § 1681), Title IX implementing regulations 34 CFR 106, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq) and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Title I and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 as amended, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-11) and 45 CFR Part 84, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq), Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq), Chapter 49.60 RCW, and the Gender Equality in Higher Education (Chapter 28B.110 RCW).
Inquiries about the application of these laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both:
Compliance and Civil Rights
Tel: 509-335-8288
Email: ccr@wsu.edu
Online: Online Reporting/Complaint Form
In-person: French Administration Building Room 220
Address: PO Box 641022
Pullman, WA 99164-1022
Title IX or Deputy Title IX Coordinator: TitleIX.Coordinator@wsu.edu
ADA Coordinator: ADA.Coordinator@wsu.edu
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Civil Rights
Online: Online Complaint Form
Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Bldg
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Tel: 800-421-3481
FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR@ed.gov
Local OCR office: https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr
Reports and complaints about conduct that may constitute discrimination (including sex discrimination under Title IX) can be made verbally or in writing to Compliance and Civil Rights and the university’s Title IX Coordinators at the contact information above. WSU’s prohibition on and relevant procedural guidelines for discrimination, discriminatory harassment, sex discrimination, and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, are available here: