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A study in the United States comes with so many opportunities. Are you a graduate student aiming to add work experience to your resume, fund your education, or expand your professional network, but wonder how all these can be achieved? You have one golden opportunity through the assistantship programs. So, today, we will discuss in detail what the graduate assistant program in the USA is all about, how to get a job and the universities that allow international students on such programs. Ready? Let’s go…

There is no doubt that the tuition fee in the United States is very high, but its education standard is unarguably one of the best in the world. Specifically, for international students seeking to pursue a higher degree in the US, a part-time or full-time job can be the most appropriate financial support.

Interestingly, several US universities provide an opportunity for foreign students to work and study at the same time. Postgraduate students in the US have the opportunity to lessen the financial burden of working as a graduate assistant, otherwise called (GA).

Graduate Assistant Program: The Meaning

The Graduate Assistant Program, mostly used in the U.S., is one of the available prospects, where graduate students serve as Graduate Research Assistants in their various universities, either to work as teaching assistants, researchers, or perform some administrative duties while still studying.

Assistantships give students ( Masters and PHD) the luxury of working on campus (not more than 20 hours a week), and it depends on the institution’s requirements and available funds.

Such students mostly work under the supervision of faculty members, and some tasks they perform include grading assignments, leading section discussions, conducting research, or providing administrative work.

The importance of a graduate assistant program for international students

One of the benefits of graduate assistant positions is that they provide international students with work experience in a classroom setting. Through a close partnership with faculty and students, they can sharpen their teaching skills. This experience can be extremely helpful to those who aspire to become lecturers upon graduation.

Besides, the graduate assistantships also provide the students with a chance to take part in research projects of the faculty. This practical activity is helpful for international students to acquire cognitive skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, and data analysis.

In addition to strengthening their academic credentials, this professional experience also provides networking prospects in their field of study.

The juicy part is that many graduate assistant programs provide financial support in the form of tuition waivers or stipends. International students are provided with a 100% tuition fee waiver for a single semester of the appointment.

Eligibility requirements for the graduate assistant program

1. One has to be enrolled in a graduate degree program.
2. Must have a good academic record.
3. Hold at least a bachelor’s degree in college or graduate studies matching the area of service.
4. Maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA to renew a scholarship or appointment.
5. Currently enrolled as a full-time student during the applicable semester—9 credit hours during the fall semester, 9 credit hours during the spring semester, 3 credit hours during the summer session—or complete the only remaining requirements of the degree plan.

How to apply for an assistant job in the United States

1. Research Programs

Start by browsing the websites of universities and departments that offer graduate assistantships in your field of study.

Make sure that you understand the details of the exact qualifications, rewards, and essential conditions that each program has.

2. Prepare Application Materials

Generally, you will be asked to send a complete package of materials, such as:

• A filled-out graduate application form.
• Transcripts of the previous academic institutions.
• Letters of recommendation from teachers or employers.
• A purpose statement or personal statement that describes your academic and professional objectives.
• A resume or CV featuring your most relevant experiences and achievements. Please note that you will also be attaching a cover letter. See an example of a graduate assistant cover letter template here.

3. Contact Potential Supervisors

Reach out to faculty members or departmental administrators expressing your interest in assistantship positions and asking them about the existing job vacancies. Building relationships with potential supervisors can provide you with more knowledge about the available positions.

4. Submit Applications

Please make sure you fully complete and submit your application for graduate school as well as any required materials or documents for assistantship positions.

5. Prepare for Interviews (if applicable)

Take note that interviewing may be a part of the selection process for some assistantship positions. So, be prepared.

6. Follow up

After submitting your applications, keep in touch with the departmental administrators or the potential supervisors to ensure the receipt of the materials and reiterate your interest in the vacancy.

7. Evaluate Offers

If you get offered assistantship positions, you need to think carefully about the offers based on values like financial support, job responsibilities, and alignment with your academic and career goals.

Universities that offer graduate assistant program for international students

The University of Washington	Apply here
Georgia State University	Apply here
Mississippi State University	Apply here
University of Nevada, Reno	Apply here
The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga	Apply here
The University of Arkansas	Apply here
University of New Orleans	Apply here
University of South Florida	Apply here
Western Illinois University	Apply here
University of North Dakota	Apply here
Montclair State University	Apply here

FAQs

Do graduate assistants get paid?

Yes, graduate assistants generally get remuneration for their labor. However, it should be noted that this payment may not only be a stipend but also other benefits such as tuition waivers and, sometimes, health insurance.

The precise figure and type of remuneration can vary due to different factors, including the university, department, type of assistantship, and available funding.

What does a graduate assistant do?

Graduate assistants take up different positions within the university, such as teaching, research, and administrative functions.

The role of teaching assistants may involve helping the professors teach undergraduate courses, leading discussion sections or labs, conducting research under the supervision of faculty members, grading assignments or exams, providing administrative support to the departments or programs, and more.

A graduate assistant’s specific duties can change based on factors such as the type of assistantship, departmental requirements, and the student’s qualifications and interests.

What is a graduate teaching assistant?

A graduate teaching assistant (GTA) is a type of graduate assistant that is specifically responsible for helping faculty members with teaching undergraduate classes.

GTAs may, for instance, hold discussion sections, organize laboratory classes, grade assignments or tests, or hold office hours for students’ questions and answers, all under the supervision of faculty members.

Read also: Work and study in the USA

Conclusion

The Graduate Assistant Program is an exceptional program that equips graduate students not only with relevant work experience but also with the required skills they will need within their field of study as well as financial support towards their education.

Besides, the program enables students to work directly with faculty members, learn by doing research, teaching, or administrative fields, and build their professional network for better career paths ahead of them.

Beyond that, the program helps students build their resumes and makes their applications even more attractive to potential employers.

Being a graduate assistant can be an enriching life experience that increases one’s income, also helps students to learn and grow as professionals in their field of study.