Graduate Program Cost & Affordability

Pursuing graduate studies is a considerable investment and Whittier College offers a variety of funding sources that can help make it an affordable one as well.

Candidates pursuing any type of assistance must meet eligibility requirements for both the source of funding and the graduate program. Whittier's Office of Financial Aid can provide more information about eligibility.

Program Length

Approximately 1.5 to 3 years depending on track choice and course load. Because graduate courses meet once per week in the evening during fall and spring semesters, students can maintain their full-time jobs during the program.

Cost

$819 per unit. Lab fees are not included and are based on course type.

Financial Aid Timeline based on student type

  • Complete the FAFSA online. Application opens October 1 every year. Please include Whittier College in your list of schools.
  • Complete and electronically submit the Graduate Student Financial Aid Request form for each academic term you are requesting aid for (Fall/Spring/Summer). Admitted students will receive an email that will provide them with access to this form.

  • Complete the FAFSA online. Application opens October 1 every year. Please include Whittier College in your list of schools.
  • Complete and electronically submit the Graduate Student Financial Aid Request form for each academic term you are requesting aid for (Fall/Spring/Summer). Admitted students will receive an email that will provide them with access to this form.

Federal and State Aid

Cal Grant 5th Year Extension Program

Students who received a Cal Grant during their undergraduate studies and are pursuing a credential-only program may qualify for an additional year of Cal Grant funding through this extension. Applicants must meet the grant regulations. Additional information about the Cal Grant 5th Year Extension Program is available on the California Student Aid Commission's website.

Golden State Teacher Grant

Led by the California Student Aid Commission, the Golden State Teacher Grant encourages students to consider earning a teaching credential and teaching in a high-need field at a priority school in California within eight years after completing a teacher preparation program. CSAC will award $20,000 Golden State Teacher Grants to over 4,400 eligible students across California, who are enrolled in a Commission on Teacher Credentialing-approved teacher preparation program on or after January 1, 2020.

Interested students may email questions to goldenstateteachers@csac.ca.gov.

Students may email questions to Financial Aid Counselor, Julie Aldama, at jaldama@whittier.edu or call our Financial Aid Office at 562.907.4285.

Federal Unsubsidized Loans

Unsubsidized student loans can be used to cover tuition, fees, and supplies related to graduate studies. Applicants must submit a FAFSA to qualify.

Graduate Teaching Fellowships

Candidates who are awarded a Graduate Teaching Fellowship become employees of Whittier College while completing their graduate program. As employees of the College, students qualify for tuition remission and may receive stipends. Fellowships are generally granted for up to six semesters and have the possibility to be renewed at the discretion of the program directors. All Graduate Teaching Fellow candidates, regardless of department, must qualify for admission into Whittier’s Graduate Programs in Education (Teacher Credential/MA) before they are hired.

Broadoaks School

Located on the Whittier College campus, The Broadoaks School is a private, non-profit, K-8, demonstration school that offers before and after-school care and a variety of co-curricular activities. 

Fifth Dimension Program

Fifth Dimension is a collection of outreach programs managed by a team of 16 Whittier College students. Those selected for the team lead programming and work directly with children ages 6-12.

Athletics Department

Various departments within the Athletic Division have available positions where graduate candidates may serve as sport coaches while completing their studies through the tuition remission program.

For more information, contact educationinfo@whittier.edu.

Learn more about how to finance a graduate degree or credential at Whittier College.