Graduate Assistantships

Working your way to greater opportunities

The department has a limited number of graduate assistant positions that are awarded annually on a competitive basis. GA positions entail 20 hours of work each week for the fall and spring semesters. In return, students can expect to earn approximately $8,000 plus a fee waiver for up to 12 credit hours per fall and spring semesters, and six credit hours in the summer semester. Although graduate students can hold a GA position for a maximum of two years, GA positions in the department are not automatically renewed; those wishing to renew their current assistantship must submit a letter of intent outlining the progress and accomplishments made during their assistantship.

Duties for each GA differ, depending on the needs of the faculty member with whom he/she works. Typically GAs assist professors in working with undergraduate students (sometimes running their own tutorial sections), grade undergraduate papers, offer review sessions prior to examinations, assist professors with their own research or library work as needed, and generally contribute to the ongoing functions of the department.

Those wishing to apply for a GA position should contact the department of religious studies concerning the timing and requirements of the application process. Application forms are available from the Graduate College. The Graduate Committee generally makes decisions for each year’s GA positions in the late spring and early summer for each fall semester.