What is a graduate assistantship?
Graduate Assistants (GA) are graduate students who receive remuneration for services provided in support of university and department functions. Most GAs perform duties in teaching, research, or administration, and thereby develop career skills under the supervision of university faculty and staff as a means to help pay for their graduate training. Graduate programs generally select their GAs from their own student population. Additionally, there are a number of non-academic offices which support a limited number of graduate assistantships. A stipend is paid for services provided and in some cases, a tuition scholarship may also be awarded as part of the assistantship.
What are the eligibility requirements?
- Admission with full qualifications (not conditionally)
- Full-time GAs must be enrolled as full-time students – minimum 9 graduate credit hours in fall & spring, or one class in any summer session. Students in their last 12 hours or those who have only
thesis/dissertation hours remaining need only enroll in the hours needed to complete the degree. - Good academic standing- minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Selection by the department or office
Failure to meet the requirements of good academic standing (3.0 cumulative and major GPA), or meet minimum enrollment requirements (9 credit hours/term) will result in the loss of the GA. If during a term a student drops below the minimum credit hour requirement or terminates the assistantship prior to the end of the semester, any awarded GA tuition scholarship or out-of-state fee waiver will be prorated for only the number of days actually worked during that semester. If the assistantship is not for the period of an entire semester, any out-of-state fee waiver will also be prorated.
What is the process for applying for a Graduate Assistantship?
Each department/office manages the selection of its own graduate assistants and so the process may vary somewhat from department to department. We recommend you start the process as early as possible for the best chance at obtaining these highly sought-after opportunities.
- Students are responsible for obtaining their own assistantship and should be proactive in seeking an appointment. Make contact with any department or office in which you are interested and inform them that you are seeking a position as a GA.
- Wait to be contacted by departments interested in interviewing you.
- The most up-to-date graduate assistant job postings can be found on the hiring portal. Check the human resources website: https://jobs.uca.edu/ and then click on the Graduate Assistant tab.
Graduate Assistant Policy and Procedure Manual
The Graduate Assistant Policies and Procedures Manual contains important information regarding the student’s responsibilities in GA positions.