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 (including all teaching and research assistants) covered under these standards are required to work on-campus or other assigned work location during the term of appointment, unless specifically approved in writing by the Associate Dean for Graduate Education in the employing college. This includes graduate teaching assistants regardless of teaching modality.
  • Graduate assistants are not eligible for remote employment (where the work does not require presence at the remote location). In addition, UI may restrict some or all of an individual’s ability to work or access university systems while working outside of Iowa.
  • Graduate assistants who must conduct work remotely for a university business reason (i.e., the work itself requires it to be performed remotely) must receive approval from UI officials before traveling to the remote site. UI reserves the right to prohibit university business travel, deny its funding, and/or restrict access to university electronic resources and/or systems.

Any Work from International Locations

  • Work that is not required to be performed internationally is not permitted. Even when conducting approved university business, UI may restrict access to its systems from international locations, particularly in (but not limited to) countries that present cybersecurity or research security risks.
  • International travel to perform any paid University of Iowa work a graduate assistant (including research assistant and teaching assistant) performs outside the United States and Puerto Rico must receive pre-approvals. That process should start at least four weeks prior to expected departure. University of Iowa work includes accessing any electronic campus resources such as email or ICON, even for short periods of time. Attending a conference or conducting research as an employment responsibility also is university business.
  • The University requires that your academic needs and physical location be reviewed, approved, and registered relevant UI offices. Not all destinations will be approved depending on cybersecurity, research security, and U.S. State Travel risk levels. Please allow at least four weeks for approval considerations to occur.  
  • Review and complete the steps on International Programs' webpage. 

Section 3. Required Trainings