Applying Academics to the Real World

The Graduate College is pleased to offer Graduate Assistantships at several levels and in different categories. Below are links to information to guide you through the graduate assistantship process.

Types of Assistantships

最色导航 has three main categories of graduate assistantships: Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), Graduate Research Assistant (GRA), and Graduate Professional Assistant (GPA).  
Below are descriptions of each.

 

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) refers to graduate assistantships with a primary job duty of instruction. KSU has two categories of GTAs - Teacher of Record and Teaching Assistant.

    • Teacher of Record (TOR) are the primary instructors for an undergraduate course. They may teach a maximum of 6 credits each semester. Teacher of Record GTAs are responsible for instruction and management of their courses.  Graduate student TORs will have a faculty mentor in the discipline.

    • Teaching Assistant (TA) TAs assist faculty members with teaching. GTA Teaching Assistant responsibilities vary greatly and may include, but are not limited to:
      • Teaching a small section of a course
      • Holding office hours and meeting with students
      • Assisting with the grading of homework, exams, and/ or written assignments
      • Administering tests or exams
      • Assisting a faculty instructor with large lecture classes by teaching students in laboratory or discussion sessions
  • Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) refers to graduate assistantships that work on campus in research-related positions. These research positions primarily exist in academic departments as well as some research centers and institutes. GRAs gain the experience of working alongside faculty members on cutting edge research. GRAs are generally funded through competitive faculty grants and contracts. GRA responsibilities vary greatly and may include, but are not limited to:
    • Collecting, coding, and/or analyzing data
    • Conducting literature reviews or library research
    • Preparing materials for submission to funding agencies and foundations
    • Writing reports
    • Preparing materials for IRB review

    Research assistants work under the supervision of an individual faculty member or center director. Research assistants should not be engaged in work unrelated to their academic program or that does not further their educational experience and objectives. 

  • Graduate Professional Assistants (GPA) provide an opportunity for graduate students to be assigned work that is relevant to their graduate program and the professional and scholarly goals of the student.  The graduate professional assistantship should provide the opportunity for the student to use knowledge of their academic field while enhancing skills relevant to the student's professional goals. The ideal graduate professional assistantship will provide the student with a broader and deeper understanding of work in their assigned site, under the supervision of a mentor.

    The following guidelines should be used when determining the work assignments and workload for assistantships:

    1. Assistantships best serve the student, the hiring unit, and the student鈥檚 academic department when they are used as an integral component of the graduate education experience.  

    2. Assistantships should enhance the educational experience by exposing the student to the professional activities of their disciplines, involving them in university activities related to their academic and professional interests, and affording them the opportunity to work closely with faculty and professionals.  

    3. Assistantships should provide high quality support for the academic mission of the University.

Graduate Assistantship Tiers

The Graduate College uses Tiers to better accommodate the correct allocation of stipends and waivers to the amount of work required of the student. There are three Tiers:

Fall and Spring semesters (5 months each)

  • Fall: Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
  • Spring: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
  • GRAs and GTAs are paid monthly.   

    The total stipend for the semester will be determined by the date you are cleared to begin work by HR and could be pro-rated if you are not cleared by the contract start date.

    Tier Hours Worked Per Week Weeks Per Semester Hours Per Semester Stipend Per Month Stipend Per Semester Equivalent Pay Per Hour Tuition Waiver for Semester*
    1 10 16 160 $600 $3,000 $18.75 Max 6 hours waived
    2 15 16 240 $900 $4,500 $18.75 Max 9 hours waived
    3 20** 16 320 $1,200 $6,000 $18.75 Max 12 hours waived
  • GPAs are paid biweekly and will clock in and out when working in ther GPA position.

    Tier Hours Worked per Week Hourly Pay Rate Tuition Waiver for Semester*
    1 10 $18.75 Max 6 hours waived
    2 15 $18.75 Max 9 hours waived
    3 20** $18.75 Max 12 hours waived

    *Only graduate level credit hours can be waived. We cannot waive tuition for undergraduate courses.
    **Students enrolled in courses can work up to 20 hours per week.

  • Tier Hours Worked per Week Stipend per Month Tuition Waiver for Semester*
    1 10 $600 Max 6 hours waived
    2 20 $1,200 Max 9 hours waived
    3 40 $2,400 Max 12 hours waived
  • Let's breakdown the tuition and fees and the cost of attendance for attending 最色导航 State University!

    Cost of Attendance

Graduate Assistantship Forms

Make sure to complete the necessary paperwork and follow instructions for students and faculty involved in the assistantship application and hiring process at 最色导航 State University. Students can access and complete the Student Application to apply for available assistantship roles. Faculty members looking to hire a graduate assistant can submit a Graduate Assistant Job Posting to advertise available positions on the GRA Job Board.

Student Application

To be used by students to apply for a graduate assistantship position.

Application for a Graduate Assistantship

Faculty Hiring Paperwork

Please have allotted funding to hire an assistantship by your Dean, Chair.

Directions for Hiring Paperwork

Faculty to Post a Position

To be used by faculty to request a position be posted on the GRA Job Board.

Graduate Assistant Job Posting

Dates and Deadlines

Make sure to keep up with upcoming dates and deadlines that outline key timelines for graduate assistantship hiring, processing, and evaluations for the fall and spring semesters at 最色导航!

Action Deadline
Hiring Students Opens May 6, 2024
Hiring Students Closes July 15, 2024
Student Must Process with HR August 1, 2024
Contract Dates August 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
Evaluations November 25 - December 12, 2024
Action Deadline
Hiring Students Opens October 14, 2024
Hiring Students Closes December 2, 2024
Student Must Process with HR January 3, 2025
Contract Dates January 6, 2025 - May 8, 2025
Evaluations April 21, 2025 - May 12, 2025
Drop-Add Week January 6, 2025 - January 10, 2025
Payment Deadline January 10, 2025
Deletions for Nonpayment January 21, 2025
Final Exams April 29, 2025 - May 5, 2025
Commencement May 6, 2025 - May 9, 2025
University Closed December 23, 2024 - December 27, 2024
University Closed January 1, 2025
University Closed January 20, 2025

Contact Us

The Graduate Assistantship program at 最色导航 is managed by The Graduate College. 

James Kohlmiller
Strategic Business Data Analyst
3391 Town Point Drive, Suite 1700
MD 9106

Phone: 470-578-3003
Email: jkohlmil@kennesaw.edu
The Graduate College
3391 Town Point Drive, Suite 2800
最色导航, GA 30144
MD 9106

Phone: 470-578-6738
Email: ksugrad@kennesaw.edu

 

Submit Forms
最色导航 State Town Point building is a modern, three-story office building with a curved glass facade and a flat roof. The building is surrounded by green trees and a parking lot filled with cars. The sky is blue with some white clouds.