Students will be awarded assistantships for a maximum of four academic semesters (exclusive of summer session). Students in the Master of Fine Arts degree program and the Doctor of Psychology degree program are not subject to this limitation. Assistantships are limited to nine graduate hours each fall or spring semester, although contracts are usually written for an academic year. This division coincides with standard procedures for awarding of financial aid, half of the total each semester. Students must pay for any additional hours each semester at the tuition rate based on residency status. Under no circumstances will payment from assistantship funds be used for audited coursework or undergraduate hours.

To be eligible for consideration for an assistantship a student must
be conditionally or unconditionally accepted into a degree program;
have current acceptable Graduate Record Examination or Graduate Management Admission Test scores on file; and,
have an official transcript on file indicating completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.

All graduate, research, service and teaching assistants must register each semester for all courses to be covered by the assistantship during the regular registration period(s) and prior to the tuition refund date as outlined in the Schedule of Classes. Students who register for any additional courses after this time will be held personally responsible for additional tuition and fees. As established policy provides, students who drop courses after the tuition refund date will be personally responsible for fees and will receive a grade of "W" for the course. Exceptions will be made only for documented extenuating circumstances and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Teaching Assistants
A limited number of teaching assistantships are available in departments or schools offering major programs of graduate study. Teaching assistants must have earned at least 18 graduate credit hours in their teaching discipline, be under the direct supervision of an experienced faculty member and receive regular in-service training. They are assigned to an academic department or school and are expected to instruct six credit hours of course work or an equivalent of six credit hours of a laboratory. Application forms may be obtained from the Graduate School office. Teaching assistants are responsible for room and board expenses. Applicants should have overall undergraduate records approximating a "B" or higher. Teaching assistants carry a course load of nine graduate level credit hours of study and must be enrolled in a degree program.

Graduate Assistants in Academic Areas
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available in most of the departments and schools offering major programs of graduate study. Graduate assistants are assigned to an academic department or school to assist faculty members in preparing for instruction, grading papers, conducting research, preparing laboratories, performing departmental or school administrative tasks, etc. Application forms may be obtained from the Graduate School office. Graduate assistants are responsible for room and board expenses. Applicants should have overall undergraduate records approximating a "B" or higher. Graduate assistants undertake various departmental or school assignments requiring 15 to 20 hours a week, carry a course load of nine graduate level credit hours of study and must be enrolled in a degree program.

Graduate Assistants in Nonacademic Areas
Assistants are employed in a nonacademic department or administrative office and their duties will vary according to the needs of their assigned departments. Applicants should have an undergraduate grade point average of "B" or higher. Specific duties will vary, but in general an assistant will aid in the administrative duties of a supervisor 15 to 20 hours per week. An assistant will carry a course load of nine graduate level credit hours of study and must be enrolled in a degree program.

Graduate Assistants in Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs offers appointments to the staff for those graduate students who are interested in working in a student personnel position. The site of the work will depend on training, experience and interest.