Graduate Assistantships and University Fellowships

The College of Education and Human Development offers three types of graduate student assistantships providing financial support and career enhancing skills.

Types of Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships (GA's) are usually hired to work in the department in which they are obtaining their degree. However, graduate students with transferable skills such as technology expertise, statistical experience, or research skills may be selected in departments outside their major. GA's participate in a variety of academic experiences and assist with projects enhancing future career skills. Depending on the position, a few administrative tasks may be also be required.

Graduate Research Assistantships

Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA's) positions may be available on grant funded research projects. GRA's work on a specific project with a centralized focus and area of study and defined goals and outcomes that must be met by the end of the project funding period. Principal investigators actively recruit students for grant projects, and some select GRA's from the pool of applicants. Depending upon the amount of externally funded projects, the number of available positions and begin/end dates vary from year to year.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA positions) are usually offered in the Department of Health and Sport Sciences (HSS) but are occasionally offered in other departments. If you are interested in a Graduate Teaching Assistantship in HSS, contact the department.

Eligible candidates will be considered for the assistantships available in their department, other departments needing specific skills, or available positions on grants.

University Fellowships

  • competitive and limited
  • full-time doctoral status required
  • restricted to new or first-year students
  • no work assignment involved
  • stipend of $18,000 and tuition remission
  • apply by expressing interest to a faculty member by February 1
  • nomination from doctoral faculty advisor to the CEHD Honors and Scholarship Committee.
  • only top two or three students will be nominated and submitted to the Graduate School for final selection

Graduate Assistantship Facts

Appointment Term

Positions in the Department of Counseling and Human Development (ECPY), Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education (EMSTEd), Department of Special Education, Early Childhood & Prevention Science (SECP), and Department of Educational Leadership, Evaluation and Organizational Development (LEAD) are 12-month positions. The appointment term is from 7/01- 6/30.

Positions in the Department of Health & Sport Sciences (HSS) are for 10-months. The appointment term is from 8/01-5/31.

Grant position terms vary.

Renewal of Appointment

Positions can be renewed (pending funding) if job responsibilities were met. A Master’s Degree Candidate can receive a maximum of 2 years of support. A Doctoral Degree Candidate can receive a maximum of 4 years of support. Each assistantship will be reviewed annually for both continuance and assignment.

Eligibility

Unconditionally admitted graduate students pursuing an MAT, M.A., M.Ed., M.S., or Ph.D. in the College of Education & Human Development.

Availability

Assistantships are competitive. There typically are more applicants than available positions and the College of Education and Human Development has only 35 positions per year. The number of grant funded positions vary from year to year.

Health Insurance

Single coverage for duration of assistantship. The student may purchase additional coverage for dependent family members. 

Tuition

  • 10-month appointment - Students are required to enroll (tuition paid by assistantship) for 9 hours in the Fall & Spring semesters.
  • 12-month appointment - Students are required to enroll (tuition paid by assistantship) for 9 hours in Spring & Fall semesters and 6 hours in Summer semester.
  • Grant Positions - Covered tuition varies.

Stipend

Masters are $18,000 per year, doctorate are $21,000 per year, and fellowships are $18,000 per year. Stipend varies for Grant positions.

Application Process

After an application is received, the applicants eligibility is verified. When positions become available, faculty/staff review the eligible applicant pool and select candidates to interview. The faculty/staff member will (typically) contact 2-3 applicants for an interview and notify the applicants of their decision.

There is no deadline to submit an application. Based on start dates, it is recommended that applications be submitted no later than March 1 to be considered for positions that begin in the Fall, and by October 1 for Spring (although a few positions start in the Spring semester). Spring/Fall 2025 Graduate Assistantship Application is now live! Submit yours by tapping this link.

Contact Information

Completed forms can be sent via e-mail to:

Graduate Student Success Office | ED 123 | Email: