Eligibility

Only students fully admitted to degree seeking status in a master’s program at Fairmont State University are eligible to receive a Graduate Assistantship. Non-degree students may not hold a Graduate Assistantship.

Initial appointment to the position of Graduate Assistant requires:

• current enrollment of at least six (6) hours of graduate study in a graduate program;
• for graduate students already matriculating in a graduate program, a pattern of significant and satisfactory progress toward the completion of the graduate degree;
• communication skills appropriate to responsibilities of the graduate assistantship;
• evidence of subject matter competence; and
• other qualifications as necessary to perform assigned duties.

In addition to the qualifications listed above, reappointment to the position of Graduate Assistant requires a pattern of significant progress in accomplishing graduate degree requirements. At a minimum, this means

• that the applicant is earning a 3.0 grade point average or better during each semester of appointment;
• that the applicant is enrolled in, and completes, a minimum of two (2) courses or six (6) hours of equivalent graduate level work toward the graduate degree including work toward the completion of the thesis/project each semester (withdrawal from a course(s) after the fourth week does not constitute acceptable progress);
• that the applicant completes all prerequisite coursework in the first semester of appointment unless such prerequisites cannot be completed in a single semester; and
• that the applicant meets the requirements for and achieves advancement to candidacy in a timely manner.

The Dean of Graduate Studies is responsible for verifying the eligibility and compliance of all applicants.