The Office of Graduate Studies offers a limited number of graduate assistantships for new or continuing graduate students showing outstanding merit. These are research assistantships – awardees will work directly with faculty on a project relevant to the professional area of study. The purpose of these awards is to attract and retain meritorious graduate students who will contribute to the academic life of the College.

RA Award

In exchange for a tuition scholarship of 6 graduate credits in both the Fall and Spring semesters, a research assistant (RA) will be expected to work up to a maximum of 10 hours per week on a faculty-designed project. The specifics of an RA’s hours, duties, or other matters such as the availability of extra stipends will vary from department to department and year to year. (Note that tuition scholarships are not considered taxable income, whereas stipends are.) RAs are also considered to be ex officio members of the College’s Graduate Academic Foundations Committee, the standing steering committee for all graduate programs.

Three RAs will be available each Fall; Spring-only RAs may occasionally become available. Faculty in relevant academic departments (Business, Education, Psychology, Theology) will be invited to propose RA projects, and awards will be made based upon merit and “fit” with available projects. If no suitable project is available for a chosen applicant, the student will have the option of a placement in the Office of Graduate Studies.

Note that other graduate assistantships may be offered by the Office of Residence Life, in cooperation with the Office of Graduate Studies. Residence Life Graduate Assistants provide leadership in residence halls and include room and board. If interested, contact the Office of Residence Life for availability and eligibility.

Eligibility

Graduate Research Assistantships are open to new or continuing master’s degree students who are fully admitted and enrolled for at least 6 graduate credits per semester in good academic standing; preference will be given to full-time students (minimum 8 graduate credits). RAs are awarded for a time period specified in the offering letter, usually the Fall-Spring academic year, and awardees should not expect routine renewal or extension of appointments, though they may re-apply for a subsequent award.

RAs shall terminate if the student fails to maintain the prescribed level of enrollment, fails to maintain good academic standing, is dismissed from a program, or otherwise gives cause as determined by the graduate dean. If an RA is terminated during an academic term, the student should expect some liability for tuition for that term.

Application:

Download the graduate assistantships application form. To read the application on your computer requires Acrobat Reader®. This software comes pre-installed on most systems.