Graduate Assistantships
There are perks!
- Bimonthly Paychecks
- In-State tuition for Master's candidates.
(If appointed on/before the 11th day of class) - Full tuition waiver for Doctoral candidates.
(If appointed on/before the 11th day of class)
Helping Graduates. Improving The Delta. Building Leaders.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) support faculty-led instruction while gaining professional teaching experience. GTAs assist with course delivery, student assessment, and learning activities, including leading discussions or laboratories, grading and providing feedback, holding office hours, and supporting course administration. Through supervised and mentored training, GTAs develop skills that advance their professional growth as educators and scholars. GTAs operate under the supervision of a faculty instructor and are not typically the instructor of record unless explicitly authorized.
Graduate Research Assistant
Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) support faculty-led scholarly or creative research while gaining professional research experience. GRAs conduct literature reviews, collect and analyze data, assist with compliance and grant activities, and contribute to research dissemination while receiving mentored training aligned with their graduate education. GRA responsibilities should prepare students to contribute to faculty-led research products and, when appropriate, share authorship. GRAs work under the supervision of a faculty advisor or principal investigator (PI) and are not independently responsible for project outcomes.
Graduate Administrative Support Assistant
Graduate Assistants should not normally serve in administrative roles. Specifically, GSAs should not perform duties typically assigned to non-exempt administrative employees. The Graduate School reviews GSA requests based on detailed job descriptions submitted by the requesting unit. Job descriptions must clearly outline assigned duties and explain how those duties support the student’s professional and career development.
In rare circumstances, the Graduate School may approve administrative GSA positions when duties align with the student’s degree program, include significant teaching, mentoring, or training responsibilities, or provide meaningful leadership development relevant to the student’s career goals. When appropriate, the Graduate School may recommend redefining a position as a GTA or GRA.
Grad Assistant Information
Courseload
Master’s and Specialist level assistants must enroll in at least 6 graduate hours per semester and may not exceed 12 hours including undergraduate courses. They must enroll in at least 3 graduate hours during summer if holding an assistantship. Doctoral assistants must enroll in at least 9 hours during regular semesters and 3 hours each summer term an assistantship is held.
Workload & appointments
Graduate assistantships are limited to 20 hours of work per week to support academic progress and timely degree completion. This workload applies to all terms.
Students with full graduate assistantships (20 hours/week for the semester) receive a waiver of out-of-state or international tuition and only pay the in-state portion. Doctoral graduate assistants also have in-state tuition covered by the university or their program. Master’s and Specialist level GRAs may have in-state tuition paid by their graduate program. Check with program for details.
Students seeking this benefit must submit the benefit application before the 11th day of class.
Time Limit on Graduate Assistantships
Master’s students may receive assistantship support for up to six semesters (excluding summers). Doctoral students may receive support for up to ten semesters (excluding summers). Students needing more time must request approval from their department or sponsoring unit.
Assistantship Policies
- Assistants must have clearly defined duties assigned by the college dean and department chair.
- Assistants are not faculty, do not receive faculty privileges, and are not covered by university-sponsored insurance.
- Assistants may be asked to attend staff or faculty meetings and workshops.
- If a student cannot complete coursework or duties due to extenuating circumstances, the semester may not count toward the time limit. Departments must notify Graduate School for review.
- Assistantships are awarded by academic year or summer term and are not automatically renewed. Reapplication is required.
- Assistants must maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain eligible.
Connect With Us.
Graduate Admissions is located in the Dean B. Ellis Library, 6th Floor
PO Box 60,
State University, AR 72467