Graduate assistantships (GA) are available in teaching, research, clinical practice, or faculty support. A Graduate assistantship can provide you valuable work experience related to your graduate studies and reduce the overall cost of your education.
Who can apply?
You must be fully or conditionally admitted to a degree-seeking program (although you can apply for a GA position during the admissions process). If you are a first-time graduate student, you must have earned at least a 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale for all previously completed undergraduate course work. If you are a returning graduate student or a current Graduate Assistant you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
What are the specific terms?
Full or half time graduate assistantships are typically provided for up to two years (longer for some doctoral programs). Reappointment depends on job performance, academic progress, and availability of funding.
Some important notes to keep in mind
- A student cannot hold more than one GA position at a time;
- The tuition benefit applies only to the University’s base tuition (known as “E&G” tuition) and does not cover University, college, or program fees;
- The tuition benefit cannot cover undergraduate courses unless required by the student’s program.
Full GA appointment
- Maximum 20 hour work week.
- Must be enrolled in at least 9 hours of graduate coursework.
- The pay is set at least the current minimum wage. Some departments may pay more.
- Depending on your appointment type, your tuition will be decreased by a specified proportion.
- Each GA position job advertisement will have information on the pay and tuition waiver.
Half GA appointment
- Maximum 10 hour work week.
- Must be enrolled in graduate coursework.
- The pay is set at least the current minimum wage. Some departments may pay more.
- Depending on your appointment type, your tuition will be decreased by a specified proportion.
- Each GA position job advertisement will have information on the pay and tuition waiver.
How to Apply
Applying for a graduate assistant position is exactly like applying for any other job at Marshall University. You will begin with the office of Human Resources.
At Marshall University, all positions available for graduate students are listed on the Human Resources website.
You will see that there are several categories of job positions under “Careers at MU”. One of these is Graduate Assistant Employment, which has a list of the GA positions that are actively being recruited.
For each open position, you must meet all posted job qualifications and provide the necessary information required of all applicants. Some positions may require an interview.
If you are selected for the position, you will receive a notice in your Marshall University e-mail account that will include your contract and instructions for how to accept the position.
Be sure to act early. Many hiring units hire graduate assistants during the Spring months for the following Fall semester.