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  Trina Mathes in Financial Services at mathestd@etsu.edu.

    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 -Housing and Residence Life 

     

    Full Graduate Assistantships - Housing and Residence Life 

    Number of Positions: 4

    Contract Dates: Jul 27, 2026   to May 15, 2027 

    Possible Renewal: Yes

    Job Description:

    Resident Director (RD) Graduate Assistants have primary responsibility for the day-to-day supervision and management of a residential community. This includes the training and supervision of a staff of Resident Advisors (RAs); implementation of a Residential Curriculum that incorporates the mission, vision, and values of the Department of Housing and Residence Life and ETSU; facilitating educational programming for residents; co-advising a Community Council; and administrative responsibilities to support the operations of the department. Resident Directors are live-in positions, and are supervised by an Area Coordinator or Apartments Manager. 

    Individuals interested in pursuing the RD position are encouraged to review the complete PROSPECTIVE RD GUIDEBOOK on our recruitment website for full details.

     

    Job Qualifications:

    • Previous experience in residence life at a college or university is preferred, but not required. 
    • Knowledge of student development and residential living-learning philosophies, interpersonal communication, and organizational skills are necessary to lead and direct hall staff and students.
    • RDs must have an ability to interact with a diverse student population.
    • Candidates must have an ability to be flexible, work as a team, organize tasks, prioritize duties, and effectively complete the various components of the RD position, including the following physical requirements:
    o Visually assess the community, surroundings, and situations that occur spontaneously, and respond accordingly;
    o Verbally communicate with staff, residents, and supervisors in casual and crisis situations;
    o Use and operate keys/access cards, elevators, duty phones, and computer systems;
    o Access and respond to situations where they occur (i.e. inside student rooms, bathrooms, hallways, stairwells, elevators, and building lobbies)
    • RDs must be admitted to a program of study at ETSU prior to starting work, and be enrolled full-time (9+) credit hours at the graduate level. 
    • Applicants must be able to successfully complete a national a national and local criminal background check, conducted after an initial offer of employment is made. 
    o Please note: applicants for the RD position must be in possession of a social security number at the time of application (required to complete the background check), and be eligible to work in the United States. A social security number can only be issued in-person at a social security office within the United States.
    • To begin employment, all applicants must have fingerprints on file with the ETSU Police Department. Prints are taken at the Police office after successful completion of the background check. 

    Job Requirements:

    Major areas of responsibility, which are outlined in more detail in our PROSPECTIVE RD GUIDEBOOK, include:
    * Student Engagement
    * Developing and Advising Community Council and Developing Student Leaders
    * Staff Supervision and Training
    * Administrative and Management Functions
    * Campus On-Call Support

    Applicants should visit our website at https://www.etsu.edu/students/housing/rd.php for full details. 

    Application Instructions:

     

    A complete application packet for the RD position consists of an In-House Application (page 11 in the Prospective RD Guidebook at https://www.etsu.edu/students/housing/rd.php), an ETSU RD online application (https://fa-evyu-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com:443/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/job/640), a Cover Letter, and a Resume. All original documents must be uploaded to the online application.

    Any international student applicant must contact International Enrollment and Services prior to applying, and complete the form noted here: https://www.etsu.edu/international/employment/default.php. 

    Candidates will be contacted in the event that they are selected to advance to an interview stage. 

    Contact Information 

    Adrianna Guram 
    Housing and Residence Life 
    Email: gurama@etsu.edu   
    Phone: (423) 439-4446 

     

  • Full Graduate Assistantships -Center for Academic Achievement 

     

    Full Graduate Assistantships - Center for Academic Achievement 

    Number of Positions: 4

    Contract Dates: Aug 17, 2026  to May 07, 2027 

    Possible Renewal: Yes

    Job Description:

    The Administrative Graduate Assistant provides day-to-day management of the Center for Academic Achievement and its programs including opening and closing of the center. This position is the front-line supervisor for center operations, including training and relationship building of student workers. The position requires significant knowledge of the center’s participation in ETSU’s Navigate platform including student access and scheduling, academic alert case management, and daily reporting. The administrative graduate assistant helps to ensure seamless scheduling operations and consistent case management of students who have been referred to the center. The administrative graduate assistant is also responsible for ensuring that daily center operations occur without hindrance and is expected to facilitate professional conflict resolution when necessary. Additionally, the individual in this role is expected to act as an intermediary communicator between the CFAA student workers and professional staff. 

     

    This individual also assists in managing the CFAA’s social media accounts, including regularly creating and posting innovative, engaging content to appeal to students. 

    The administrative graduate assistant will assist in representing the CFAA at events and deliver presentations to inform groups and classes about CFAA programs and services. The person in 

    this position will play an important role in supporting student success by helping the CFAA operate smoothly through organization, attention to detail, and enhancing the center’s ability to connect students to the services offered by maximizing front desk processes, the use of the Navigate platform, and social media. 

     

    Job Qualifications:

    Must be enrolled full time in a ETSU graduate program.

    Preferred candidates will have:

    Experience working in higher education directly with academic support 
    programs such as tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, or academic coaching. 

    Experience working in customer service.

    Experience managing social media. 

    Job Requirements:

    Knowledgeable about student support in higher education 

    Knowledgeable about best practices and professionalism in academic support services. 

    Knowledgeable about computers, Microsoft Office Suite programs, and ETSU student platforms. 

    Knowledgeable about the programs and services offered by the CFAA. 

    Skilled in written and oral communication. 

    Skilled in interpersonal communication and customer service. 

    Skilled in organization and attention to detail. 

    Ability to multitask in a busy environment. 

    Ability to handle confidential information responsibly. 

    Ability to identify issues and intervene when needed. 

    Ability to learn and adapt to new technologies, programs, and fulfill other assigned duties. 

    Application Instructions:

    Email resume or CV and cover letter to Jake Alspaugh, CFAA Director: alspaugh@etsu.edu 

    Complete the form here: https://forms.office.com/r/xipL9QbCfb

    Contact Information 

    Jake Alspaugh 
    Center for Academic Achievement 
    Email: alspaugh@etsu.edu 
    Phone: (423) 439-5690 

     

  • Full Graduate Assistantships -University Marketing and Communications (UMC) 

     

    Full Graduate Assistantships - University Marketing and Communications (UMC) 

    Number of Positions: 2

    Contract Dates: Jan 20, 2026 to Jan 11, 2027

    Possible Renewal: Yes

    Job Description:

    The Graduate Assistant (GA) for Digital Marketing & Paid Media will support the University Marketing and Communications (UMC) team by managing paid advertising campaigns, assisting with multi-channel marketing initiatives, and supporting day-to-day office operations. This role blends advanced technical digital advertising responsibilities with broader marketing and communications support to help execute university-wide campaigns that advance ETSU’s strategic mission. 

    The ideal candidate is a data-driven graduate student with hands-on experience running paid campaigns, strong analytical skills, and an interest in higher education marketing. While creative assets and copywriting are supported by the UMC team, the GA will focus on technical campaign setup, optimization, reporting, and contributing to overall marketing strategy and project coordination. 

    Key Responsibilities 

    1. Paid Media Campaign Setup & Execution 

    Build, implement, and manage paid campaigns across Meta Ads Manager, Google Ads (Search, Display, YouTube, Performance Max), LinkedIn Campaign Manager, and other platforms as needed. 

    Configure campaign structures, including objectives, keyword targeting, audience segmentation, budgets, bid strategies, and creative placement (assets provided by the UMC team). 

    Create, manage, and optimize custom, saved, retargeting, and lookalike audiences. 

    2. Campaign Strategy, Budgeting & Optimization 

    Assist in developing targeting strategies aligned with institutional goals and audience insights. 

    Recommend budget allocations and pacing strategies to maximize ROI and prevent overspend or underspend. 

    Monitor daily ad performance and optimize bids, budgets, audiences, placements, and keywords. 

    Conduct A/B testing with provided assets and analyze performance trends to guide decisions. 

    3. Tracking, Measurement & Technical Configuration 

    Install, test, and troubleshoot tracking tools including Meta Pixel, Google Ads conversion tracking, and Google Tag Manager. 

    Build UTMs, ensure consistent naming conventions, and maintain accurate measurement integrations. 

    Maintain organized documentation, dashboards, and detailed campaign records. 

    4. Reporting & Performance Analysis 

    Prepare reports on CPC, CPM, CTR, conversions, cost per result, ROAS (when applicable), and Google Search keyword performance. 

    Produce budget pacing updates and insights that inform future optimization. 

    Monitor analytics across platforms (GA4, Meta, Google Ads) and make data-driven recommendations. 

    5. Marketing & Communications Support 

    Assist with planning, developing, and executing university-wide marketing campaigns. 

    Create, edit, or curate content for social media, newsletters, websites, and promotional materials as assigned. 

    Draft concise promotional copy, email blurbs, and internal messaging when needed. 

    Support the coordination and promotion of major university events, initiatives, and campaign rollouts. 

    Produce visual assets using Canva or Adobe Creative Suite when required. 

    Develop surveys, feedback tools, and assessment materials to evaluate communication impact. 

    6. Office & Project Coordination Duties 

    Assist with day-to-day UMC operations such as greeting guests, answering phones, and general office tasks. 

    Collaborate with UMC team members and campus partners to ensure brand consistency and alignment. 

    Participate in team meetings, brainstorms, and cross-functional projects. 

    Perform other duties as assigned by the UMC Team. 

    Job Qualifications:

    Must be enrolled full-time in an ETSU graduate program. 

    Prior experience managing paid digital campaigns (not organic-only). 

    Strong written and verbal communication skills. 

    Ability to work with data, dashboards, metrics, and technical configurations. 

    Strong attention to detail, organization, and analytical thinking. 

    Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. 

    Professionalism and ability to maintain confidentiality. 

    Preferred Skills & Additional Requirements 

    Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite. 

    Experience with Canva or Adobe Creative Suite preferred. 

    Experience with social media management, digital marketing, or project coordination preferred. 

    Familiarity with content management systems and email marketing platforms is a plus. 

    Must be available to work 20 hours per week across at least 5 weekdays. 

    This is not a student-facing role and does not involve direct student interaction

    Job Requirements:

    Candidates must have hands-on experience setting up and managing paid campaigns. 

    Paid Social Advertising 

    Meta Ads Manager (required; advanced proficiency preferred) 

    LinkedIn Campaign Manager (preferred) 

    Snapchat Ads Manager (preferred) 

    TikTok Ads Manager (nice to have) 

    Paid Search & Display 

    Google Ads (Search keyword strategy, match types, ad groups) 

    Google Display and YouTube (preferred) 

    Performance Max (preferred) 

    Conversion tracking setup via GTM, Google Ads tags, and events 

    Analytics & Reporting 

    Google Analytics 4 (GA4) 

    Meta Ads reporting tools 

    Understanding of CTR, CAC, conversion rate, ROAS, and related KPIs 

    Strong Excel/Google Sheets skills (pivot tables, formulas, formatting) 

    Application Instructions:

    Please send an email with your résumé, portfolio, and cover letter to agwubuo@etsu.edu  The subject line must be “Graduate Assistant – Digital Marketing & Paid Media.” In your email, clearly explain your experience in detail.

    Contact Information 

    Chigozie Agwubuo
    University Marketing and Communications (UMC)
    Email: agwubuo@etsu.edu  
    Phone: (423) 439-5690