Types of Assistantships

Purpose & Overview
Types of Assistantships
Eligibility
Application Process
Hiring a Graduate Assistant
Evaluation Process

The following types of assistantships are offered depending on the needs of the academic and academic support units within the university, available university funds, and the qualifications of the individual graduate student.

Graduate Administrative Assistant (GAA)

A Graduate Administrative Assistant (GAA) assists administrative staff with collecting, organizing, and analyzing various types of data or information, assist with special projects and other duties assigned by the unit’s supervisor and/or appropriate faculty and/or staff. Stipend: $8.25 per hour with a max of 20 hours per week for a total of 16 weeks. Student compensation is based on the number of hours worked, and students must clock in and clock out for each shift. Biweekly payroll over the course of the term.

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)

A Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) assists a faculty member or members with academic research that may involve data collection and analysis, lab and field experiments, computer programming, preparation of reports or presentations, or other comparable duties. Stipend: $8.25 per hour with a max of 20 hours per week for a total of 16 weeks. Student compensation is based on the number of hours worked, and students must clock in and clock out for each shift. Biweekly payroll over the course of the term.

Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)

A Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) assists faculty by teaching lower level courses or labs; developing teaching materials; and preparing and grading examinations, papers, or other student work. The GTAs must be assigned to and responsible for teaching a creditbearing course and will be under the supervision of a faculty member experienced in the teaching field. A GTA’s work with students will be closely supervised and must provide opportunities to gain teaching skills and a better grasp of the academic discipline. The supervising faculty member is responsible for overseeing the assignment of all grades to students in the courses. Stipend: $4,000 paid in 4 monthly installments over the course of a fall or spring semester, or paid in 3 monthly installments over the course of a summer semester. Max of 20 hours per week for total of 16 weeks on a monthly pay cycle.

In addition to a stipend, graduate assistantships carry a scholarship each semester up to the max award of $4,386.00. The scholarship award covers the general university fee and and tuition. Students are responsible for additional fees such as international, program, and course fees. Students enrolled in specialty priced programs may owe a remaining balance after scholarship award.