Graduate Assistantship Guidelines

Introduction

The Graduate Assistantship Program at Armstrong Atlantic State University provides professional growth and development through supervised work experiences. The student earns a degree and contributes to the academic mission and applied research endeavors of the institution, while maintaining a satisfactory academic standing. This booklet includes requirements for both the student and the graduate assistantship supervisor.

Applications and Procedures
General Information
Graduate Assistantship Fees
Supervisor Responsibilities
Sample of Graduate Assistant Assignments
Assessment
Health Insurance Requirements

Applications and Procedures

In order to apply for an assistantship, a students needs to:

• Obtain a Graduate Assistantship Application available here in PDF format or from the School of Graduate Studies, Victor Hall, Room 238.

• Complete the application and return it to the School of Graduate Studies.

• The Coordinator of Graduate Faculty Services works with the supervisors and applicants to provide assistantship information, facilitate the interview process, and generate contracts that assign assistantships.

• Applications must be submitted annually. Renewal of a previous year's contract is not automatic. Students compete with other applicants for positions; however, experience is a valuable asset.

• Submit applications early, preferably during the spring semester for employment during the upcoming fall semester.

General Information

• Graduate assistants must be admitted on a degree-seeking basis and maintain a 3.0 overall GPA on all graduate coursework attempted.

• Assistantships will be assigned for one or two semesters.

• Assistantships are rarely offered during the summer semester.

• Graduate assistants are considered employees of Armstrong Atlantic State University. They are paid through the normal payroll system at AASU. The student receives a minimum stipend of $2,500.00 per semester or a minimum stipend of $5,000 for a two-semester assignment.

• Graduate assistants work approximately 19 hours per week or 285 hours per semester as assigned by their supervisor. They are expected to begin work the first day of classes and continue through the week of final examinations. The exact schedule should be determined by the supervisor and specific expectations and duties communicated to the graduate assistant prior to the start of the semester.

• Graduate assistants must register for a minimum of six semester hours of graduate course credit (leading to a degree) during each semester they hold the assistantships. History students may include three semester hours of undergraduate foreign language as part of the requirement for six semester hours. Students can, with the approval of the academic supervisor and the executive director of graduate studies, enroll in undergraduate courses. It should be noted that these courses will not constitute part of the mandatory hours of graduate work per semester. Overloads (more than twelve semester hours) are rarely granted.

• Applications for re-appointment must be submitted at the conclusion of the assistantship contract.

• A graduate assistant choosing to resign must submit a letter of resignation to the supervisor and the executive director of the School of Graduate Studies. A student who resigns or is being terminated during a semester must repay the institution for regular tuition costs. Graduate assistants will be required to pay regular tuition if they are terminated for unsatisfactory performance during a semester of enrollment.

Graduate Assistantship Fees

Costs Per Semester (Starting Fall 2007)

Fees and charges are subject to change at the end of any semester. When such changes are made, notice will be given as far in advance as possible.

Contact the School of Graduate Studies for fee schedule.

Stipends

The average assistantship stipend is $2500.

Contact Office of Human Resources, 912.927.5267 for the dates that stipend checks will be distributed for the 2007-2008 academic year.

Supervisor Responsibilities

• Assignments, research projects, or other duties are agreed upon by the supervisor before the student begins the assistantship.

• The graduate assistant will evaluate the assistantship to determine if the experience was positive.

• The supervisor will evaluate the assistantship, including the performance of the graduate assistant, at the end of the academic year and forward the evaluation to the Assistant Vice President of Academic and Sponsored Programs. A sample performance evaluation is included.

• The supervisor should provide a work area for the graduate assistant, if available.

Sample of Graduate Assistant Assignments

• Researching library orders, conducting general library research, preparing bibliographical resources for courses, and providing academic support for faculty in the academic units

• Coordinating multiple projects as part of the City of Savannah Employee Health Program

• Assisting with research/data analysis regarding overall enrollment trends in areas such as scheduling for optimum class enrollment at AASU

• Assisting the director of the Public Service Center at AASU

• Assuming general editorship of an alumni newsletter for an academic unit

• Working with various sports teams

• Coordinating the inventory of health service for Chatham County

• Mentoring undergraduate writing center tutors and tutoring students during the writing process

• Planning presentations on Elderhostel for civic and church groups

• Assisting the curator of the Savannah History Museum

• Developing online instructional material for the minor in legal studies

• Researching funding opportunities (federal, state/local, and private) for faculty research and sponsored programs for the Grants Office

Assessments

Assessments are completed by both the assistant and the supervisor. Click the link below for a sample assessment format.

Assessment Forms

Health Insurance Requirements

The Board of Regents mandates that all graduate assistants maintain approved health insurance. Please see the Mandatory Student Health Insurance Program information sheet for more information. Graduate students wishing to be considered for a waiver must fill out the insurance waiver application found on the Pierce and Pierce web site. Pre-approved waiverable insurers include Employer Group Insurances, Medicaid, and Tricare. Problems should be directed to William Kelso, William.Kelso@armstrong.edu.

Phone: 912.344.2740
FAX: 912.344.3495
graduate@armstrong.edu