Minority Fellowship

The University of West Alabama is committed to diversity in its faculty and is particularly interested in employing well-qualified African-American faculty members.  To help reach that aim, the University has instituted a Minority Fellowship Program.  This program provides financial assistance to students who are working toward graduate degrees in exchange for the candidate's agreeing to teach at The University of West Alabama for at least the number of years he/she received the fellowship.

A brief overview of the program follows.  Students who are interested should discuss their career goals and possible eligibility with the Chair of the academic discipline in which they plan to pursue graduate study along with complete details about the responsibilities of the student and the University.

Who May Apply:  African-American students who wish to pursue a career in college or university teaching and whose interest coincides with the University's needs.

Amount and Term of the Award:  Depending on conditions, an award may range from $2,000 to $6,000 per year and continue for up to nine semesters.  In some cases, students who are making satisfactory progress and who will complete their doctorate in one more year may qualify for an additional year's support.

Student's Responsibilities:  If granted a fellowship, a student must enroll in and make satisfactory progress in a graduate curriculum approved by The University of West Alabama.  Upon receiving the degree, the student must accept a faculty position at The University of West Alabama, if a position is offered, and serve in that position for at least the number of years he/she received the fellowship.  If a student is unable to fulfill his/her obligation, he/she must repay the University a pro-rated amount of the award.

The University's Responsibilities:  As long as a student is making satisfactory progress in the approved graduate program at an accredited institution, the University will provide up to $6,000 per year over three years to support the student's doctoral studies (a fourth year is possible for those students making satisfactory progress and who are within a year of completing a doctorate).  When the student  receives his/her degree, the University will offer him/her a faculty position for which he/she is qualified provided that at the time the student completes his/her degree a faculty vacancy in the student's area exists.

How to Apply:  An interested student should first discuss the program with his/her Department Chair and, if it is determined that he/she is qualified, the student should then complete the application form located  here.