Graduate Assistantships

Effective 07/01/02

• Graduate Assistantships
  • Policies for Graduate 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 master’s degree, may have two additional semesters, for a total of six semesters as a graduate assistant, excluding summer sessions.
• Graduate Assistantships fulfill three important objectives:
  • Students are provided with meaningful, professional experiences that will enhance educational and career goals.
  • Students provide a service to a department within the University.
  • Students are provided with financial assistance.
• Graduate Assistants
  • Administrative Assistants - work in offices of the University performing selected supervised administrative activities.
  • Laboratory Assistants - conduct laboratory activities or music studio classes, assist coaching athletic teams and 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 - aid faculty members in research activities.
• Full-time Teaching Assistants teach two-3 semester hour courses per semester, and other Assistants work an average of twenty hours per week for each week of the semester.
  • Teaching Assistants receive a competitive stipend plus a fee waiver for graduate credit courses.
  • Partial assistantships may be awarded; the stipend and fee waiver (if they are teaching) are pro-rated accordingly.
• Qualifications for Graduate Assistantships
  • A student must have the following qualifications to be eligible for an assistantship:
    • 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.
      • If student has completed graduate work prior to application, the student must have earned a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0.
      • 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.
• Application Process
  • Completed Assistantship Application Form (see Appendix A) forwarded to one of the following:
    • The Graduate School
    • The chair of the department in which the Assistantship is sought, or
    • The supervisor of the office/area in which the Assistantship is sought
  • Official transcript from all institutions attended to be forwarded to the person or office to which the application was submitted.
  • Minimum of 3 reference letters.
    • Letters should be mailed directly to the person or office to which the application was submitted.
    • As an alternative, letters on file in a placement office and any credentials may be forwarded.
  • Additional application materials such as cover letter or resume may be required for certain positions.
  • 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 the application, transcript and letters of reference are received.
    • It is also the responsibility of the student to find an available position, apply for it, and go through the departments hiring process. Each department hires its own graduate assistant(s).
• Appointment
  • It is the responsibility of the student to make certain that the necessary letters, credentials and transcripts have been received. Application for a Graduate Assistantship does not guarantee appointment.
  • The appointment process includes locating a vacant position, making application for the position, and interviewing for the position. Each department appoints its own Graduate Assistant(s).
  • 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 semester at the same time. Single semester appointments for the spring semester are usually made starting around November 1.
  • Application for a Graduate Assistantship does not guarantee appointment. Appointment authorization is made by letter from the Dean of the Graduate School.
• Compensation
  • Option One. The compensation for a full-time Teaching Assistant, who teaches two 3-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.
  • Option Two. The compensation for a full-time Graduate 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 full time Graduate Assistant who is a Resident Director will receive a monthly stipend of $1,500, plus a furnished apartment and meal plan, when in service.
  • Tuition Waiver. 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.

Contact for Interpretation: Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies

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