Graduate Assistantships

• » Graduate Assistantship Application (PDF)

Types of Assistantships Available

• Administrative Assistants - work in offices of the University performing selected supervised administrative tasks.
• Laboratory Assistants - assist with laboratory activities, assist in music and art studios, assist coaching athletic teams, or work in the library.
• Student Services Assistants - assume responsibilities for various student services offices or areas, including student activities, leadership and development, Campus Housing, and intramural activities.
• Teaching Assistants - teach lower-level undergraduate classes or assist an instructor teaching classes with a large enrollment.
• Research Assistants - assist faculty members with research activities.

Full-time Teaching Assistants teach two three-hour courses per semester.

Duration of Assistantships

• A student may be awarded an assistantship for a maximum of four semesters, excluding summers.
• An Education Specialist student, who has had an Assistantship while working on a Masters degree, may have two additional semesters, for a total of six semesters as a graduate assistant, excluding summer sessions.

Qualifications for Graduate Assistantships

Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis. Evidence of academic excellence and professional skills are primary requirements for receiving and holding Assistantships. Graduate students whose native language is other than English must demonstrate a high level of oral and written proficiency before they may be awarded an Assistantship. Graduate Assistants who are assigned to teach must have earned at least 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline. Students with the following qualifications are eligible to apply:

• A baccalaureate degree by the time the Assistantship is to become effective.
• Application to graduate school completed, and accepted into a degree program by the time the Assistantship is to become effective.
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• If student has completed graduate work prior to application, the student must have earned a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• If a student does not have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0, they may apply for an Assistantship if they have earned a minimum of 9 graduate hours with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Application Process

It is the responsibility of the student to find an available position, apply for it, and go through the department's hiring process. Each department hires its own graduate assistantship(s). Following are the procedures for applying for an Assistantship:

• Complete Application Form
• A current resume.
• A minimum of 3 reference letters.
• A cover letter.

It is the responsibility of the student to make certain that all the above materials have been received. Action on the application cannot be taken until these documents are received.

Appointment

Application for a Graduate Assistantship does not guarantee appointment. The appointment process begins about March 15 each year. Although applications can be submitted any time, students are urged to have completed application materials on file as early as possible. Normally appointments are made for both fall and spring semesters at the same time. Single semester appointments for the spring semester are usually made starting around November 1st.

Appointment authorization is made by a letter from the Executive Director for the Graduate School.

Compensation

• Option One. The compensation for a full-time Teaching Assistant, who teaches two three-hour courses per semester or whose assignment involves twenty hours per week, is $3,500 per semester or $7,000 for two semesters. Graduate Assistants who have held an assistantship within a department for at least a full year will receive a second year increase of $500. The compensation for graduate assistants with a partial assignment is reduced proportionately. For Teaching Assistants instructional tuition is covered by a tuition waiver up to 9 credit hours per semester. Courses taken for undergraduate credit or audit will not be included in the tuition waiver and are the responsibility of the student. Full-time Graduate Assistants must be enrolled in at least 6 hours of graduate credit each semester.
• Option Two. The compensation for a full-time Graduate Assistant who is not a Teaching Assistant under contract for a specific department without teaching responsibilities will be at a monthly stipend of $1,500 without any waiver of tuition or other financial assistance.
• Option Three. The compensation for a full time Graduate Assistant who is a Resident Director will be a monthly stipend of $1,500, plus a furnished apartment and meal plan, when in service. No tuition waiver will be provided.

Work Load

The work load for a full-time Teaching Assistant in the fall or spring semester is teaching six hours. The summer teaching load shall be three hours per term. Non-teaching Assistants will work 20 hours per week. A lesser assignment is possible with a reduced stipend.

Course Load

The course load for a full-time Assistant is 6-9 hours for the 16-week fall or spring semester and no more than 6 hours for a 8-week term. The summer time load would be 3-4 hours.

Supervision

Graduate Assistants must be evaluated every semester by a faculty member/supervisor. Supervisors must establish goals and guidelines appropriate to the task and base their evaluation on those goals and guidelines. Persons holding Assistantships shall be treated fairly and professionally consistent with their need for professional development and academic progress.

Termination

Holding of an Assistantship is subject to satisfactory performance of assigned duties, progress toward the degree or program goal and maintenance of a minimum of 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). Those who fail to meet these standards may lose their Assistantship or be subject to appropriate corrective action. Persons holding assistantships shall be treated fairly and professionally consistent with their need for professional development and academic progress.

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