As a Graduate Assistant at UNK, you’ll get the opportunity to gain experience relevant to your chosen field, earn a little extra income, and work toward full tuition remission for your program of study.
To start the process of becoming a GA, talk with your advisor, or explore what student employment positions are available right now:
Tuition Remission: GAs earn tuition remission for each semester they are employed in a 20-hour-per-week GA position. This means after 4 semesters (fall and spring semesters), your program of study will be fully paid for. Tuition remission is prorated for graduate students working in shorter terms. You earn ¼ of your program’s total credit hours for each semester you work as a GA. For example, a GA who works just one year (a fall and spring semester) will earn 50% tuition remission.
Additional Income: GA’s earn at least $11,800 per year working 20 hours/week during the academic year. This amount is subject to a yearly increase, following the university’s decision to provide cost of living raises.
Flexible schedule: Most GA positions allow you to choose your hours based on what works best with your class schedule and other commitments. Graduate Teaching Assistants may be required to teach classes as designated times. GAs get time off for university breaks, holidays, and may also take temporary leave.
Build your resume: GAs get hands-on experience completing projects, working with faculty on research, and/or teaching courses. During your time as a GA, you will grow your network and start to build up your CV with relevant experience that future employers or admission committees love to see.
Graduate Assistants typically fall into one of three categories at UNK. Each type of GA role provides unique benefits and has different job functions:
Graduate Teaching Assistant: A Graduate Teaching Assistant is generally asked to teach the equivalent of six credit hours of courses or labs. In their role as teachers, Graduate Assistants are responsible to the students with whom they work and for their departmental duties.
Graduate Research Assistant: The Graduate Research Assistant contributes to university research under the supervision of a single faculty member or team of faculty members. Research positions are available for multiple disciplines.
Graduate Assistant (Office): Graduate Assistants also serve administrative offices on campus, contributing to a wide variety of projects to gain office experience and learn more about university structure and services.
To take full advantage of a Graduate Assistantship, students must meet the following requirements to be hired and/or get the full benefits outlined above:
Admitted Students: Graduate Assistants must be fully admitted to a graduate degree program at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Endorsements or other non-degree programs do not fulfill this requirement.
Coursework: Graduate Assistants must be enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours of coursework per semester. (Note that full-time graduate status is nine (9) hours, and full-time status is needed for student loan deferral and to receive full-time financial aid.)
Hours per week: A “full-time” GA position is 20 hours a week. A “half-time” position is 10 hours a week. GAs in positions that are not full time should expect prorated benefits as listed above. For example, working one full semester as a half-time GA will only earn you 1/8 tuition remission for your program.
GPA: GAs are required to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Though not required, Graduate Assistants are often asked to participate in the following professional growth opportunities during their time in their roles. These opportunities help GAs gain relevant experience for their role as a GA and help build their CV/resume:
Submit an article, give an oral presentation, or present a poster at the University Graduate Student Research Day
Serve on UNK’s Graduate Council
Participate in the 3-Minute Thesis university competition
Submit an article to the UNK’s journal “The Graduate Review”
Gain skills for the workforce through UNK’s Professional Development Academy
