Graduate Assistant Employment

Overview

The department and programs provide support to students through teaching and research assistantships. Work with your program and advisor to secure an assistantship. We also encourage you to seek out research or teaching assistant positions in other departments in the college or at the University level.  Additional positions are posted on the student job search page.

The Graduate assistant employment web site lists policies and guidelines for graduate assistant employment. Graduate assistants are responsible for understanding these policies and procedures. 

Non-native English speakers: University policy requires that nonnative English speaking Teaching Assistants (TAs) must demonstrate proficiency in spoken English appropriate to the demands of their teaching assistantship. To meet the policy requirements, you must have an English Language Proficiency (ELP) Rating. This proficiency will be assessed by the ibTOEFL (speaking subscore), the Spoken English Test for Teaching Assistants (SETTA) or an English Language Proficiency rating earned through coursework with the Center for Teaching and Learning Services.

Position Description

Teaching assistant responsibilities include assisting the instructor in preparation of course materials and exams, grading assignments and exams, proctoring exams, assisting in the preparation and posting of grades, holding regularly scheduled office hours and providing individual and/or group assistance to students, lecturing in class in the absence of the instructor, performing other course-related duties. (Additional responsibilities specific to a position are listed in position announcements.)

Graduate instructor TA responsibilities include lecturing; preparing course materials and exams, grading assignments and exams, proctoring exams, preparing and posting grades, holding regularly scheduled office hours and providing individual and/or group assistance to students, performing other course-related duties. (Additional responsibilities specific to a position are listed in position announcements.)

Research assistant responsibilities include assisting faculty in research projects. Responsibilities will vary based on the research. (Additional responsibilities specific to a position are listed in position announcements.)

Tuition Benefit & Fees

If you are a graduate assistant with an appointment of at least 25 percent (10 hours per week), you will receive a tuition remission (based on resident tuition rates) equal to twice the percentage of your appointment in the term of the appointment only. As a graduate assistant you may qualify for enrollment in the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Plan. Plan design and premiums are subject to change from year to year.

While an assistantship may cover a percentage of Graduate School resident tuition and provide a waiver of the non-resident tuition for appointments 25% or more, it will not cover student fees. All students enrolled in six or more credits at the University of Minnesota are responsible for paying student services fees (Tuition, Aid and Funding), college technology fee and any course or laboratory fees as required by specific courses. Please take these costs into account when projecting your personal academic budget.

Health Insurance Benefit

You may enroll in the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Plan if you meet eligibility requirements. If you are interested in this coverage, you must enroll through the Graduate Assistant Insurance Office.

Registration Requirements

Offers are contingent on enrollment and current registration as a graduate student. As a graduate student you are required to register for graded credits (audit-only registration is not valid) for every semester you hold an assistantship. Failure to register by the end of the second week of class each semester will result in termination of your graduate assistantship. If during the above appointment period your registration drops below 6 credits (1 credit for advanced MA or PhD candidates), you are required to notify, in writing, the program secretary immediately. Failure to do so may result in termination of the appointment for the semester in which this occurs, or affect future appointments. 

Employment Policies

Length of employment and job performance

The term of a single appointment for graduate students will not exceed one academic year.

The student's degree progress and job performance will be reviewed in making each appointment.

Students appointed to assistantships must notify the program of all University appointments.

Coursework

The following are the minimum criteria for students appointed to graduate instructor TA positions:

• 3xxx-level courses: BA and successful completion of the course or equivalent. Preferred one year in program and TA experience in the course.

• 5xxx-level courses: PhD, ABD, MA or master’s equivalent and successful completion of the course or equivalent. (The criteria for a master’s equivalent is completion of the 30 credits required for the MA degree program).

• 8xxx-level courses: PhD required.

Work Limitations

During the academic year graduate assistants may not hold appointments or any combination of appointments totaling more than 75% time (30 hours per week). This total includes all University employment plus College of Continuing Education activities.

If you have F-1 or J-1 visa status, federal law prohibits the University from employing you for more than 20 hours per week (50% time) during scheduled class periods and finals weeks. Exceptions exist if you have been authorized for 'practical or academic training'. Consult with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services on these matters.

During scheduled break periods and summer terms, graduate assistants may work up to 100% time (40 hours per week). In no instance are graduate assistants to work above 100% time.

FICA

Graduate students at the University of Minnesota (including PhD and Advanced Masters candidates) will be exempt from FICA withholding on University wages if they meet the enrollment tests described in IRS revenue procedure 98-16.

• Graduate student FICA rules

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.