Graduate Assistantship

To download a copy of the Application Forms, click here.

A limited number of graduate assistantships comprised of a stipend and tuition waivers are available on a competitive basis to qualified graduate students enrolled in one of the master's degree programs in the Department. In the past, graduate assistantships have been awarded predominantly to graduate students who were able to teach one of the languages of instruction in the Department. Graduate assistants receive a modest stipend and tuition waiver.  While generous, the stipend does not cover books or some university fees.  The tuition waiver covers much of the cost of tuition.

Graduate Assistant Duties

It is normally expected that graduate assistants teach one 3-credit hour language class.  Teaching, office hours and preparation duties total 20 hours per week.  Beginning graduate assistants are required attend an orientation, to enroll in a graduate level language teaching methods course, participate in teaching assistant seminars, and be supervised and evaluated by a supervisor.  On occasion graduate assistants may instead assume other duties within the Department totaling 20 hours of work per week.

Stipulations

Students who receive a Graduate Assistantship must have completed requirements for the baccalaureate degree, be accepted into a master's degree program in the Department and must be enrolled in at least 9 credit hours and no more than 12 credit hours per semester.  Assistantships are not awarded for more than 4 semesters.

Standards for Appointment

a. An overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale from a regionally accredited institution, or

b. A graduate grade point average of 3.60 or higher on a 4.0 scale after completion of at least 12 hours of graduate course work from a regionally accredited institution.

A graduate grade point average of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale must be maintained during the period of the award.

Application Process for Graduate Assistantship

Students wishing to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must complete and sign an Application for Graduate Assistant Appointment Form and submit this to the Department. Applicants are urged to submit all application materials to the Department as early as possible, but certainly by March 1.  Later applications will not be considered. 

Alternate Sources of Financial Assistance

Additional opportunities for financial aid to graduate students are discussed under the section on “Financial Information” in the Graduate Catalog . A modest amount of employment is also often available to students on the ISU campus, although the availability of such employment is not guaranteed and is subject to certain constraints.

Additional Information

Additional information regarding assistantships is available in the section on “Financial Information” in the Graduate Catalog and also at the College of Graduate and Professional Studies web site.