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: A GA employed full time (20 hours) will earn 18 hours of tuition remission per year of service, with a maximum of 36 hours over two years. Appointments less than full-time will receive prorated tuition remission. Any credit hours taken prior to the start date of the graduate assistantship will be deducted from the total tuition remission awarded. (Note, as outlined in the GA Polices document that the graduate student is responsible for all fees and tuition is only covered for coursework applicable to the student's approved program of study.)
Additional Income: GAs earn an hourly rate of $19.04 or a $12,186 salary. 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 no more than 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.) A waiver for the amount of required coursework may be granted in a student's last semester of study.
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.
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
