Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships provide outstanding students with financial resources to help them complete their degrees. Assistantships offer varying educational and professional benefits.
Graduate assistantships provide outstanding students with financial resources to help them complete their degrees. Assistantships offer varying educational and professional benefits.
A graduate assistantship is not required to attend graduate school, but it is used as a tool to gain valuable experience and cover costs of tuition. All assistantships are determined by the issuing department or office. Students must work with department directly to obtain an assistantship and complete the appropriate paperwork to receive payment.
- Graduate Teaching Assistant — Primary duty of teaching, tutoring, instructing or lecturing. Requires "face time" (Zoom or in person).
- Graduate Research Assistant — Primary duty is to work in collaboration with faculty involved in ongoing research. Research may or may not be directly related to thesis/dissertation research.
- Graduate Administrative Assistant — Primary duty is to complete administrative tasks typically within an office setting. Job duties do not meet definitions of a graduate research assistant or graduate teaching assistant.
- 25% time assistantship = seven credits (spring, summer, fall)
- 49% time assistantship = five credits (spring, summer, fall)
For financial purposes, students need to be enrolled in at least five credits regardless of semester of study. Students with financial aid questions should email the Financial Aid Office or visit the Financial Aid Office.
Key Things to Know Regarding Assistantships
- All graduate assistants must register for a minimum of one credit (including summer) in order to receive an assistantship.
- Graduate teaching assistant or graduate research assistant appointments and on-campus hourly appointments cannot be held in combination.
- Assistantships are not the form of compensation for the time graduate students spend on their thesis or dissertation research.
- Students on research assistantships are expected to work on their own research over and above the time for which they are compensated.
- Graduate assistants must not total greater than 49% effort in a single appointment or in combination with any other assistantship appointment. Graduate assistant appointments greater than 49% will be granted only with proper justification.
- Graduate students who are awarded a graduate assistantship and otherwise qualify shall, in addition to wages, will have all tuition and fees waived with the exception of the General Activity Fee. The General Activity Fee will be charged per credit hour.
Please contact your adviser or department program coordinator to inform them of your interest in a graduate assistantship position and follow the South Dakota State University – Graduate School on Facebook.
New Student Orientation Graduate Assistant – Summer position
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Responsibilities:
- Ability to commit 20 hours a week to assist with orientation programming on campus and online
- Work in collaboration with the professional academic advisors to provide incoming students with a positive NSO experience
- Participate in academic advising and registration processes during summer NSO
- Assist with preparation for NSO sessions including performing transfer equivalencies
- Provide follow-up assistance to students via Zoom, email and/or phone
- Provide support to professional advisors
- Collaborate with campus staff to provide appropriate resources to students
- Inform students about university resources and services offered in the college
- Visit with students regarding college transitions, needs, questions or concerns
- Follow-up with students regarding NSO evaluations
- Attend NSO training and meetings as scheduled
- Contribute to a dynamic professional team
- Other duties as needed
Required Qualifications:
- Enrolled in graduate study within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences or in counseling, student affairs, education or a related field
- Enrolled in one or more summer graduate credits
- Possess knowledge of and interest in college student success
- Exhibit excellent oral and written communication skills
- Demonstrate familiarity with various computer programs and skills
- Have a professional attitude and appearance
- Dependable and responsible
- Demonstrate patience and empathy in helping interactions
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with academic advising or student support services
- Experience with Banner/Self Service registration program
Salary
- $16.50 per hour ($2,000 for the summer)
Term of employment:
- May 22-Aug. 21 (majority of work hours will be completed in the month of June)
- Schedule: 20 hours per week
To apply:
- Send a cover letter of interest, resume and two references to: Jessica Lewis, arts, humanities and social sciences advising and retention coordinator
- Application due date: Feb. 2, 2026
- Questions:
- Email: Jessica Lewis
- Call: 605-688-5492/605-688-4723
- Visit: Lincoln Hall 123
