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About the Graduate Assistantship

Welcome to Valdosta State University’s Graduate Assistantship Program information page!  VSU’s graduate assistantships are designed to promote the research, teaching, and service responsibilities of the University and to provide students with valuable professional development opportunities while earning a graduate degree.  Therefore, the graduate assistantship involves the dual responsibilities of maintaining a satisfactory academic performance and of successfully performing the assigned teaching, research, or other responsibilities.

AND THE BEST NEWS ABOUT OUR ASSISTANTSHIPS - TUITION IS REDUCED TO A FLAT, PER-SEMESTER FEE OF $38.00!!  This is the case for both in-state and out-of-state students!  Students pay the $38 plus other fees including health insurance premiums. More information below!

 

PROCEDURES AND STIPULATIONS

Prospective Graduate Assistants

  • Apply on line through the Graduate School by clicking here - ONLINE APP - IF you have submitted your degree-program application to Graduate Admissions AND you have been accepted into a degree-seeking program. You will not be able to proceed without your VSU User name (email address) and password (see E-Mail Lookup).
  • In order to apply for an asssitantship, students must have been accepted as either “Regular” or “Probationary” in an approved graduate degree or post-master’s program at VSU.  Students classified as either “Irregular” or “Non-Degree” are not eligible for an assistantship.
  • Applications my be submitted by November 20 for spring; April 15 for summer; and July 23 for fall. Early submission is recommended.  Due to the large numbers of vacancies in the fall, students are encouraged to submit applications during as soon as the fall application portal is open.
  • The Administrative Coordinator to the Graduate Dean works with individual departments in the assignment of assistantships, employment appointments and other areas dealing with graduate assistantships.  The Administrative Coordinator can be reached at (229) 333-5694 or 800-618-1878 opt. 5.

Returning Graduate Assistants

  • Renewal of a previous year’s contract is not automatic – it is up to the supervising department to renew.
  • Returning GAs do not apply for renewals - their supervisors must notify the Graduate School of their continuation by deadlines: July 15 for fall; November 15 for spring; April 15 for summer.
  • A student may retain an assistantship up to two years - the length of time it usually takes to complete a master's or specialist's degree.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • The student must be accepted as either “Regular” or “Probationary” in an approved graduate degree or post-master’s program at VSU.  Students classified as either “Irregular” or “Non-Degree” are not eligible for an assistantship.
  • For the second year student, satisfactory progress toward the degree must be evidenced by the completion of a minimum of 12 semester hours (6 hours minimum per term) with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average.
  • Graduate Teaching Assistants who will have the primary responsibility of teaching a course and assigning final grades must have earned at least 18 semester hours in their teaching discipline.

ASSISTANTSHIP APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES

  • The department head or coordinator of graduate students (or selection committee) will review on-line applications and decide who to interview and to whom the assistantship is awarded.  If the department elects to employ the student, written notification is sent to the Graduate Office by the department head or the designated coordinator.
  • The Graduate School arranges a new graduate assistant orientation (required) each semester if needed. Students will complete necessary forms for payroll purposes (including a background check form) and the signing of a Graduate Assistantship Appointment form at the orientation unless other arrangements have been made.  The appointment form contains information such as starting and ending dates, stipend, payment dates, etc. Also new GAs must bring two items as proof of identification to orientation - for example, a driver's license and social security card or an unexpired passport.
  • New GAs may not begin work until they have cleared their background checks.
  • Any questions should be addressed to the Administrative Coordinator in the Graduate School.

ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES

  • The GRADUATE ASSISTANT is expected to enroll and earn credit for a minimum of six (6) graduate semester hours each term in which the assistantship is held.  If a graduate assistant drops below the six hour minimum, the student will be assessed the full amount of tuition and the assistantship will be terminated (exceptions may be considered for Summer terms only).  An overall grade-point average of 3.0 (B) must be maintained in order to continue as a graduate assistant
  • Indeed, one may view the graduate assistantship as a kind of working scholarship with steady and successful academic progress as the utlimate and most significant goal for the student. The position of a graduate assistant carries with it expectations from the Graduate School that the work being done should not interfere with the timely and successful completion of the graduate degree.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • A GRADUATE ASSISTANT is expected to work fourteen (14) hours per week each semester from beginning-of-appointment date to end-of-appointment date.
  • Assistants can work only one job on campus.
  • The department GA supervisor sets the student’s schedule.
  • The employing department will provide written descriptions of duties and responsibilities to the student.

STIPEND AND PAY SCHEDULES

  • Stipends are divided into five equal monthly payments. (Summers; two monthly payments). Visit the work/pay schedule for more details.
  • GAs are considered part-time employees; therefore, they are ineligible for employment benefits.  No annual or sick leave is accrued.
  • GAs will purchase student decals for parking purposes. 

TUITION RATES FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS

  • The graduate assistantship program allows graduate assistants to pay a flat, per-semester tuition rate of $38.00 - this is applicable to both in-state and out-of-state students!  In addition to the $38.00, students also pay various fees as presented in the Graduate Catalog or VSU’s fee schedule.  These fees include the Health, Athletic, Student Activity, Transportation, Technology, Access Card and other fees . Visit the Grad Assistant fee schedule for more details.
  • Any graduate student receiving an assistantship has to particpate in a student health insurance program each semester as mandated by the University System of Georgia. If GAs are covered under their parents or spouse's insurance, they can apply for waivers of insurance premiums. Visit health insurance for more details.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES, RESIGNATION, OR TERMINATION

  • Consult the Administrative Coordinator of the Graduate School for procedures to be followed in case of a grievance concerning the assistantship.  The Graduate School has developed a formal appeals procedure for academic and other matters that can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook and through the Graduate School web site.
  • Conflict Resolution Process and Committee Information Flyer (fomerly Alternative Dispute Resolution) Graduate assistants may utilize the CRC when mediation can be used to resolve conflict between a GA and supervisor, co-worker, or other parties at its onset. This is a service FOR FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS -- In 1994, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents' initiative and the Consortium on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution established a system-wide conflict resolution program as a way to:
    • communicate differences without opposition
    • resolve conflict at lowest level
    • improve institutional environment
    • lead the development of ADR in higher education
  • A graduate assistant choosing to resign or terminate his/her employment must submit a letter of resignation to the departmental supervisor and the Graduate School's administrative coordinator.
  • If a GA resigns during any given semester their tuition and final pay will be pro-rated.
  • Failure to perform satisfactorily the duties assigned by the supervisor could result in the termination of the assistantship.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact the Graduate School’s Administrative Coordinator at (229) 333-5694; 800-618-1878 opt. 5; or e-mail gradschool@valdosta.edu.

Or visit the Graduate School Office at 903 N. Patterson Street, Valdosta, GA  31698, on the second floor in the Regional Center for Continuing Education.

 

Valdosta State University is a regional university of the University System of Georgia and an Equal Opportunity Employer.