Graduate Assistantships

Graduate students may be employed as teaching and/or research assistants by members of the faculty to enhance the quality of instruction or research and to provide professional development opportunities for graduate students. A Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) handles laboratory sections, grades papers, or performs other assigned instructional duties.  A Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) is compensated to conduct supervised research, which generally relates to the student's thesis or dissertation research.

An assistantship is a salaried position designed to support a student’s education. Graduate assistants must be degree-seeking students and registered full-time (9 or 10 credits each fall and spring semester, and 2 credits each summer session) during the period of appointment. 

Approximately 50% of all graduate students receive assistantships, which are primarily awarded to thesis MS and PhD (research) students. Graduate assistants are eligible for a tuition reduction that covers 100% of tuition and program fees for campus courses. The general activity fee and other miscellaneous fees as applicable are assessed at the regular rate. Specialty courses such as field camp and remedial courses are not eligible for reduced tuition. For an out of state Master's student, the value of a full-time assistantship with tuition reduction is at least $27,000 for the academic year. PhD stipends are typically higher. Additional summer support may also be available.

Research students will be considered for assistantship support based on the information provided in the admissions application. No further application materials are required. Financial awards are primarily granted to research students who begin enrollment in the fall. Graduate students wishing to be considered for financial assistance should submit their application and all required admission documents by February 1.

Graduate assistants under state contract are subject to institutional policies set forth in the Faculty/Staff Handbook. The Employee Handbook can be accessed through the Experience portal. Research assistants are required to sign an Intellectual Property agreement form with Human Resources.  form. Teaching assistants are required to review the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) for school officials.

Contact your prospective Academic Department to find out what they might offer in terms of assistantships, fellowships, and hourly pay.