A graduate assistant is a salaried student employee who is enrolled as a graduate
student. Graduate assistants work a set number of hours per week and in return receive
a tuition waiver and often times, a monthly living stipend.
Graduate assistantships help to provide graduate students with paid work experiences
in their field of study, and allow them to expand and/or apply their discipline knowledge
and skills under academic supervision. Hiring for graduate assistantships usually
is done by an administrator or professor in your school’s graduate program. Graduate
assistantship experiences are generally offered as teaching or research assistantships,
however, some positions may involve both responsibilities. Serving as a graduate assistant
is a wonderful option to consider for funding your graduate education. Assistantships
are typically offered as full-time or half-time appointments that include the following:
Generally a full-time assistantship includes the following responsibilities and benefits:
- A 20-hour per week work assignment at 16 weeks per semester, corresponding to the
beginning and ending dates for a semester as published in the university schedule
of classes and bulletin.
- University support which includes:
- Tuition waiver
- Monetary stipend *
*Often, stipend payments are split up throughout the semester to provide the student
with regular bi-weekly paychecks.
Regardless of the reason why you decide to return to school or continue with your
education, we recommend that you plan carefully. Whatever you choose, it is definitely
a well worth investment for your future.
Our Career Development staff can provide assistance with the planning process – schedule
an appointment by calling 304.367.4214 or send email to Careers@fairmontstate.edu.