Graduate Assistantship Policy

Graduate Assistants (GAs) are student employees of the University of Dubuque. Graduate assistantships provide valuable professional experience and must relate to and facilitate learning connected with a graduate student's academic program. GAs are hired into positions that align with their area of study and receive a full tuition waiver for 20 hours of service per week. In support of their education, GAs also may receive a stipend. GAs work during the terms when they are enrolled in courses.

GAs are students first and employees second. The primary focus of their relationship with the University is completing a degree-granting academic program. To support their academic progress, weekly commitment under their graduate assistantships should not exceed 20 hours. GAs may also not work in other student employment positions. Exceeding these guidelines may trigger benefits eligibility requirements, violate graduate assistantship contracts, and create compliance issues under the Affordable Care Act.

Assistantships may only begin at the start of a Fall or Spring term and not mid-term, as stipends and tuition waivers will not be prorated.

Applying for a Graduate Assistantship

Graduate assistantships are posted on the University's jobs site. Each available assistantship is posted separately, with details specific to it in the posting. Interested applicants should review the posting details carefully, as graduate assistantships are open only to individuals enrolled in specific graduate programs, and service periods and stipends vary by assistantship.

All applicants must apply for admission into a degree-granting graduate program and be accepted before becoming eligible for a graduate assistantship. Offers of conditional admission to degree-granting graduate programs do not disqualify individuals from consideration for a graduate assistantship; however, full admission into an eligible program is required before a graduate assistantship may begin.

For a list of open graduate assistantship positions, please click here.
To apply for admission into a degree-granting graduate program, please click here.

Accepting and Starting a Graduate Assistantship

Once departments have concluded search processes and identified candidates for graduate assistantships, offers may be extended contingent upon the candidate's acceptance into a master's program, successful completion of a criminal background check, and receipt of a signed contract from the President. Upon satisfactory completion of the background check, candidates are issued a contract and are required to complete new hire paperwork, including employment eligibility verification. Hiring departments may also require that new GAs complete a variety of training activities specific to their areas. Non-discrimination and non-harassment, FERPA, and data security training will be required for GAs working with sensitive information and/or other students.

Maintaining a Graduate Assistantship

In their agreements, GAs accept the duties and responsibilities of their positions and agree to abide by and conduct themselves in accordance with the University's policies and procedures, including but not limited to the terms of conduct in the Student and Employee Handbooks. They acknowledge that the University has the right to issue disciplinary or corrective action as may be appropriate, including suspension or termination of the graduate assistantship if it is determined that their conduct violates any of the above. GAs must also comply with all applicable federal and State of Iowa laws.

GAs must remain enrolled in an eligible graduate program at the University and regularly attend classes and acknowledge that retention of a graduate assistantship is contingent upon satisfactory work performance and maintaining satisfactory academic standing. Satisfactory academic standing is evaluated each term as a condition of continued enrollment and graduate assistantship. Hiring departments may also have specific requirements for maintaining graduate assistantships in their areas.

Tuition Waivers and Stipends

GAs receive tuition waivers and possibly stipends. These benefits are subject to federal and state taxes and will be reported on their W-2. Any tuition benefits exceeding the IRS exclusion limit (currently $5,250 per year) is considered taxable income.

Professional Development Reviews

Before the end of the academic year, GAs participate in a professional development review process in which they have the opportunity to reflect on their service and receive feedback from their supervisor. GAs whose performance is deemed satisfactory may be invited to continue their graduate assistantships, subject to limits.

Limits

Graduate assistantships are offered on a year-to-year basis, with the possibility of renewal, but renewal is not guaranteed. Renewal, when approved, is for the second year of a two-year academic program.