This page lists qualifications and requirements for appointment as a Graduate Assistant.

Section 1. Academic Criteria

  • Graduate assistants must be degree-seeking, in good academic standing, and enrolled full-time (at least 9 credit hours). The following circumstances qualify as exceptions to this minimum enrollment requirement:
    • Conducting research in fulfillment of a degree requirement,
    • Preparing a dissertation or thesis,
    • Preparing a prospectus,
    • Gaining competence in English based on ESL proficiency test results,
    • Preparing for a comprehensive/final examination,
    • Completing a required internship,
    • Having fewer than 9 credit hours remaining to complete a graduate degree within the applicable semester, or
    • Having an approved accommodation through Student Disability Services (SDS) for short hours.
  • Exception requests for reasons other than those provided above, must be submitted to the Associate Dean for Graduate Education (AD4GE) for approval in the college in which the employment is based. The AD4GE will notify the Associate Dean for Administrative Affairs in the Graduate College of any such approvals. 

Section 2. Work Proximity Requirement

  • All graduate assistants covered under these standards are required to be on-campus during the academic year, unless specifically approved in writing by the associate dean for graduate education in the applicable college. This includes all teaching and research assistants regardless of teaching modality.

Section 3. Required Trainings