GA Information and Positions

ETSU Graduate School

Graduate Assistantship Information

 

Graduate Assistantship service hours can include teaching, research, or administrative responsibilities, depending on the position.

Graduate assistants (or GA’s, as they are often called) work on campus 20 hours per week. GA’s receive tuition assistance and a monthly stipend for 9 months. 

You can find more information in the FAQ below or in the Graduate Assistantship Handbook.

  • Policies

    GA Eligibility

    Interested students must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to apply:

    • Register for at least 9 graduate credit hours in the fall and spring semesters.
    • For summer contracts, if the contract ends June 30th the student must register for 3 hours in pre-summer or summer session I. If the contract goes through August the student must register for 3 hours during summer session II. If the summer contract begins in May and ends in August, the student must register for 6 hours in any of the summer sessions (pre-summer, session I, and/or session II). The student may divide the 6 hours between sessions, for example; 3 credit hours in session I and 3 more in session II.
    • Not be employed anywhere else on campus.
    • Be admitted unconditionally to the degree program. (1 semester exception)
    • Maintain a 3.0 GPA.

    English Proficiency Requirement

    Students whose prior language of education is not English must demonstrate a level of oral
    proficiency suitable to the responsibilities assigned to hold an assistantship. Students who meet
    this criterion and have a new graduate assistantship contract will receive an email with
    instructions on how to sign up for an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI). This interview will occur
    upon arrival at ETSU. Rating on this evaluation will determine eligibility for different categories
    of assignments. ETSU provides international students with a variety of opportunities to improve
    English fluency during their time as students.

    Physical Presence in the United States

    Students who hold F-1 visas must be physically and lawfully present in the United States to hold
    a graduate assistantship.

    Human Resources and Payroll Procedures

    Requirements for International Students

    • If an international student is graduating do not write contracts past the official commencement date
    • International students must take the Oral Proficiency Interview immediately upon arrival at ETSU. 
    • International students applying for full-time graduate assistantships may not hold temporary positions
    • International students must have current Glacier paperwork on file before payroll can be processed. For more information contact Jennifer Crigger at criggerj@etsu.edu or by phone at (423) 439-6887.

    Deadlines and Fee Payments

    • GA Deadlines
    • Maintenance Fees (tuition) are the only fees covered by a GA position. 
    • Students are responsible for all other fees not covered by his or her GA.
    • Out-of-State Tuition will be waived after all miscellaneous fees have been paid or a deferred payment option is utilized by the student. A $50.00 fee is charged for the deferred payment option.
    • There are only a limited number of summer graduate assistantships. The department must have the accounting number entered to pay summer tuition for graduate assistantships. If your department has a summer appointment, contact Financial Services.

    Information is subject to change *

  • FAQ
     
    • What is a Graduate Assistantship?

      A Graduate Assistantship is an opportunity available to qualifying graduate students for on-campus employment. Graduate Assistants (or GAs, as they are often called) can either work in teaching, research, or administrative roles depending upon the position. Graduate assistants receive tuition assistance and a monthly stipend for 9 months for the academic year. Graduate Assistantships do not cover fees. Stipend amounts vary by programs, with doctoral student stipends typically higher than those for master’s students. For more detailed information about the types of Graduate Assistantships, refer to the GA Handbook (page 5)

    • Graduate Assistantship eligibility and requirements

      As stated above, a Graduate Assistantship (GA) is an opportunity for qualifying graduate students to work on campus in either teaching, research, or administrative roles. Graduate assistantships receive tuition assistance and a monthly stipend; fees are not covered.

      General eligibility requirements for receiving a Graduate Assistantship is  that the recipient:

      1. Must be fully admitted to a graduate program
      2. Must register for at least 9 graduate hours during the Fall and Spring semester (3 hours during the summer semester if working 5/15-6/30 and 6 hours if working 5/15-8/15). Recipients of Graduate Assistantships must maintain those hours through the semester. If you drop below those hours, you are ineligible and your contract will be reviewed and may be canceled.
      3. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
      4. Cannot hold another paid position on campus without prior approval of the Dean of ETSU Graduate School.
    • How do I find and apply for a GA position?

      To apply for a Graduate Assistantship (GA)  you must first check the appropriate box on your graduate school application package. Once you have submitted your application it will be forwarded to the graduate coordinator assigned to the graduate program you are applying for admission into. We strongly encourage you to contact the department in which you would want to work and express your interest in a GA  If you are unable to get a position in your department you can go online to the graduate school web site and click on Assistantships. You may then view current vacancies by clicking on the Current List of Available GA  Positions. Openings are posted at the request of a department and the list can change, so check it often. GA's  are available all across campus, not just in academic departments. Once you have obtained a position with a particular department, please go to Human Resources to complete all of the appropriate paperwork. The department will complete a GA  online appointment that will be submitted to the Graduate School Office for processing. The general requirements to hold a GA  are as follows:

      1. Must be fully admitted to a graduate program.
      2. Must register for at least 9 graduate hours during the Fall and Spring semester (3 hours during the Summer semester if working 5/15-6/30 and 6 hours if working from 5/15-8/15). Candidate must maintain those hours throughout the semester. If you drop below hours, you are ineligible and your contract will be reviewed and may be cancelled.
      3. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
      4. You cannot hold another paid position on campus without prior approval of the Dean, ETSU Graduate School.
    • Are Graduate Certificate students eligible for a GA?
      No, students in graduate certificate programs are not eligible for a GA.
    • I am in an a fully online ETSU graduate program. Am I eligible for a graduate assistantship?
      Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 
    • What is a half GA and can a graduate student have two half GA's in separate areas?
      A half GA is the same as a regular GA except the student works half the hours (10 hours) receiving half the regular stipend per month and half tuition coverage. A student may have two half GA's under different supervisors or in different areas as long as the student works 10 hours within each area totaling 20 hours a week. A student with two half GA's would, therefore, receive a full stipend and full tuition coverage.
    • I understand that students are restricted to a two year limit, but do not know what the policy is for a returning student working on a second Master's degree. May I accept another GA position?
      The number of terms/years of eligibility for students pursuing masters and doctoral degrees can be found in the GA handbook. Students pursuing dual masters degree programs or second masters degree programs may be considered for a third year of support (one additional year); approval is considered by the Dean or Associate Dean of the ETSU Graduate School in response from a request from the students current Graduate Program Coordinator and by the GA contracting unit. All other requirements of eligibility must be met.
    • What happens if I want to move from a full GA to a half GA mid-semester?
      A student may not move from a full GA to a half GA mid-semester due to the terms of their contract. Any changes, made to a contract agreement would require new appointments subject to approval, reasonable notice, and appropriate paperwork. Changes are generally not approved midway or late in the semester.
    • Are students granted deferred action status (DACA) eligible for a graduate assistant?
      No. In the state of Tennessee individuals granted deferred action status are not eligible to make use of public funds for the purposes of higher education, a prohibition that includes such things as in-state residency classification as well as publically funded scholarships and assistantships like graduate assistantships.
    • Are there any fees that a GA will not cover?
      Yes. A GA  waiver will not cover a student's program service fee or specialty course fees. Students are responsible for making arrangements to pay those charges by the Friday before classes begin. Basically, the GA waiver will cover the maintenance fee (i.e. tuition) only. All other charges such as business course fees, technology fees or international insurance etc. should be handled by the student.
    • What should I do if I add or delete classes after my GA waiver has been posted?
      If you register for 9 hours then add or delete classes after your GA waiver has been posted, your tuition waiver amount will not automatically adjust, leaving a balance. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the comptroller's office of those changes so they can adjust your waiver properly. If you drop a class and your total number of graduate credit hours drops below requirements to hold a GA then the contract is subject to cancellation.
    • I am in a regular graduate program and want to take a TN eCampus course. Will my graduate assistantship cover the cost of that course?
      No, TN eCampus course tuition cannot be covered by graduate assistantships. You may take the course, but you will need to pay the tuition.
    • Is the winter session tuition covered for a GA? Do the graduate credit hours count toward spring required hours?
      The tuition remission that comes with a GA  appointment does not cover tuition for winter session courses and winter session courses do not count toward the requirement to be enrolled in nine graduate hours for spring term.
    • Are there any GA  positions offered at night or on the weekends for student teachers or others with those scheduling needs?
      The only night or weekend positions available are in the Library, computer labs, and coaching positions. Student teachers are strongly advised to not be employed during their student teaching experience, however GA  contracts can be submitted to the graduate office to be reviewed on a case by case basis.
    • Are GA's eligible for medical leave of absence?
      No, there is no provision for a medical or any other kind of leave of absence from a Graduate Assistantship. GA contracts will be canceled as soon as a student decides to withdraw from the University and submits a resignation letter to the graduate studies office. Please refer to the handbook.
    • If I have a GA position in the current semester and withdraw from the University, would I be eligible for a GA position the next semester?
      This situation would be reviewed on a case by case basis. Special consideration is given to students who have to withdraw due to medical reasons and can provide documentation.
    • Do GA's have an official start date and end date?
      The general start and end dates are as follows:
      1. Summer term I - May 15 to June 30
      2. Summer term II - July 1 to August 15
      3. Academic Year - August 15 to May 15
      4. Fall only - August 15 to December 15
      5. Spring only - January 2 - May 15
      6. Fiscal Year July 1 to June 30
    • Do GA's have to work during fall or spring break?
      Yes, GA's work according to the campus office schedule. When offices are open, GA's are required to work their hours. When offices are closed--such as holidays or closings due to weather--GA's are not required to work or make up those hours.
    • How much do GA's get paid and when?
      Stipend levels vary between programs. For academic year contracts (Aug 15 - May 15), the stipend is paid in 8 equal installments on the last business day of the month from September to April.
    • What are my employee rights as a GA?

      Graduate Assistants should have clear job assignments. Other rights, the evaluation process for GAs, and the appeals process are discussed in the GA Handbook (page 11)

    • Is the Best Plus OPI test a one time test or does one have to take it every year?
      The Best Plus Oral Proficiency Interview is a one-time test that, if passed, holds for the duration of your time here at ETSU. Students can choose to repeat the test if they wish to try and increase their scores.
    • Do non-resident alien Graduate Assistants have to fill out the International Employee/Student Tax Questionnaire every year?
      Non-resident alien students must fill out and submit a questionnaire along with each new GA contract that is submitted to the graduate studies office to ensure the student will get taxed properly. The questionnaire can be found here.
    • What happens if a GA is put on academic probation?
      As stated in the GA Handbook, GA's must maintain a 3.0 grade point average. One who fails to maintain a 3.0 may be allowed 1 semester to remedy the grade deficiency.
    • Are parking permits or decals for full-time GA's available for faculty parking?
      No, although GA’s are paid by ETSU, they are not considered faculty. Students who also work part-time or are adjunct faculty for ETSU do not qualify to park in faculty/staff parking areas either.
    • What are the procedures for resignation from a GA position?
      If you wish to resign from your GA position you must send a resignation letter to the graduate school and to your supervisor stating your reasons and the date you will stop working. If you resign mid-semester and retain your classes you will be billed for a pro-rated portion of the tuition. If you resign and withdraw from the university, a pro-rated portion of tuition will be due.

 

Available Graduate Assistantship Positions

 

The following list represents some Graduate Assistantship positions available across campus. This list is updated frequently. It is not an exhaustive list; academic programs may have Graduate Assistantship positions available that are not listed.

Unit managers: To remove a GA advertisement, contact the webmaster at gradapp@etsu.edu

  • Full Graduate Assistantships - University School 

     

    Full Graduate Assistantships - University School 

    Number of Positions: 2

    Contract Dates: Jul 9,2026   to Dec 11, 2026 

    Possible Renewal: Yes

    Job Description:

    GAs at University School do a variety of jobs such as, but not limited to: classroom assistants, lunchroom monitors, substitute teachers, after school program monitors, one-on-one or small group tutoring, school office assistants, counseling office assistants, and PE class assistants. School hours are 8:00am to 3:00pm daily, and our after school program is from 3:15-5:30pm. GAs must have work availability during these time brackets. University School is on a year-round calendar and GAs must be available when University School is in session. Our fall semester runs from July 9, to December 11, 2026. 

    Job Qualifications:

    We are looking for graduate students who have either a teaching or counseling undergraduate degree, or who are pursuing a master’s degree in education or counseling. Others who have considerable experience working with children may also be considered. 

    Job Requirements:

    Applicants must be available to work when University School is in session. Our fall semester starts July 9 and ends December 11, 2026. Our spring semester starts January 5 and ends May 21. Our daily hours are 8:00-3:00 and our afterschool program runs from 3:15-5:30. 

    Application Instructions:

    Applicants should send a complete resume to Dr. Barnett at barnettk@etsu.edu  Please include any experience working with children. Please also include 3 references to your resume. 

    Contact Information 

    Kelli Barnett 
    University School
    Email: barnettk@etsu.edu  
    Phone: (423) 439-5924 

     

  • Full Graduate Assistantships - Graduate School

    Full Graduate Assistantships - Graduate School
    Number of Positions: 1

    Contract Dates: August 15, 2026 to May 15, 2027 

    Possible Renewal: Yes

    Application submission DEADLINE date: April 26, 2026


    Job Description:

    The Graduate School Graduate Assistantship position will assist in the recruitment, marketing, and enrollment of new students. This position will assist the office with social media content, creation and posting, responding to emails/phone calls in an appropriate and effective manner, recruiting and ETSU events (primarily on-campus), miscellaneous administrative tasks, and front desk/phone coverage (as needed). The position requires a 20 hours per week commitment ON-CAMPUS during the regular business day with some Saturday needs for special events. This position is required to work when the university is open administratively (including academic breaks). The person in this role must be dependable and able to work independently.            

     Please email the following to:

    Tom VerDow

    Coordinator of Graduate Recruitment & Marketing

    Verdow@etsu.edu 

    423-439-6149

    Job Qualifications:

    • Must have a bachelor’s degree.
    • Must be enrolled or have confirmation of acceptance into a masters degree program at ETSU.
    • Must have strong organizational, interpersonal, writing, and communication skills.
    • Must be able to handle detailed work with accuracy and manage confidential information responsibly.  
    • Must be willing to work with a team. Must be self-motivated, be able to work independently, and research information as needed.
    • Strong preference will be for those that have experience with Social Media platforms.
    • Must be willing to work some select Saturdays and evenings."             
    • Must be able to create Social Media content and post it to the appropriate platform.
    • Promptly respond to emails/phone calls that are received in a general email/voicemail inbox.
    • Front desk/phone coverage as needed.
    • Assist with the set-up, clean-up, and attendance at events (primarily on-campus). Provide a campus tour to prospective students as needed. 
    • Must be able to work 20 hours on-campus.
    •  Must be able to willingly complete miscellaneous administrative tasks. 
    • Frequent walking, time management skills, team work, punctuality, strong communication skills, creativity, adherence to policy and procedure, and strong customer service skills are expected in this position.

    Application Instructions:

    Email resume and cover letter to verdow@etsu.edu

    Contact Information: 

    Tom VerDow

    Coordinator of Graduate Recruitment & Marketing

    Sherrod Library - 3rd Floor

    * Interviews (in-person or Zoom) are planned to be scheduled in the first 2-weeks of May.

    * A candidate is planned to be selected no later than May 22, 2025.

          - Responses to inquiries regarding a selection for the position will not be        provided prior to May 25, 2026.