Graduate assistantships are available in many areas to assist students with expenses and to enhance learning while studying for advanced degrees at Missouri State University. Graduate assistantships are offered in both administrative and academic areas and involve administrative, research and/or teaching responsibilities. Whenever feasible, the assistantship assignment is closely related to the student's program of study.

Eligibility. A student must be admitted to a graduate program at Missouri State University to be eligible for a graduate assistantship. a minimum GPA of 3.00 on the undergraduate cumulative, last 60 hours, or 9 hours of graduate course work is required. A student in a masters degree program may hold an assistantship for a maximum of two years (including fall, spring, and summer), and a student admitted to a certificate program may hold an assistantship for two semesters. A student is eligible for a third year of assistantship support if she or he has completed all requirements for a masters degree and enrolls in a second masters degree or a graduate certificate program. Also, a student in a doctoral program is eligible for a third year of assistantship support. Graduate assistants are not eligible to work at any other paid position at Missouri State University during the time of their assistantship. Assistants must maintain a 3.00 GPA to continue eligibility.

International Students. Foreign nationals who are a new (first-time) G.A. cannot legally begin working until they have been cleared by International Payroll. This process should be initiated as soon as the student is hired. If the student is not cleared prior to the start date entered on the PAF, the start date will be changed to match the date clearance was received and the stipend prorated accordingly. For more information, click HERE.

Graduate students who did not receive both their primary and secondary education where English was the primary language must meet the following requirements to qualify for graduate assistantships with teaching assignments at Missouri State University.

1. Successful completion of one semester of graduate studies at Missouri State University, during which they complete cultural orientation to prepare them for a teaching appointment.

2. Pass an Missouri State University juried examination in which the candidate must demonstrate his/her ability to interpret written English passages and to communicate orally in English in a classroom setting. Juried examinations are to be coordinated by the Graduate College. Membership of the jury will include one member of the applicant's major department (appointed by that department's head), one member from the Department of Communication, and one other faculty representative (the latter two members to be appointed by the Dean of the Graduate College).

Stipends and Fee Waiver Scholarships. The graduate assistantship provides a minimum stipend of $7,340 for the 2008-09 academic year (nine months), and in a few situations a stipend of $9,730 may be awarded. (Note that departments/offices do have flexibility in the determination of the stipend and may offer stipends above these amounts as long as the number of assistantships remains at or above the previous year’s totals.) A graduate assistant is required to complete a minimum of 6 hours of graduate course work (500-level or above) during each semester of appointment. Some departments/units may require graduate assistants to take more than 6 hours of course work.

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available during the summer session. a graduate assistant appointed for the 2008 summer session will receive a stipend of either $1,835 or $2,432.50. Summer graduate assistants are required to complete a minimum of 3 hours of graduate course work during the summer session.

Students who apply for graduate assistantships are also eligible to receive fee-waiver scholarships. awarding of these merit-based scholarships is based on the recommendation of the department and approval of the Graduate Dean. Note that graduate assistants who are hired after September 15 (for fall semester) and February 15 (for Spring semester) will not be eligible for the fee-waiver scholarship.

Application. To apply for a graduate assistantship, an application must be submitted directly to the department in which the assistantship is sought. It is wise to check with the department before applying. applications are available online (see link above) or from the Graduate College, Carrington Hall 306, (417)836-5335, TDD (417)836-4770. Information requested from an applicant includes employment and academic history and the listing (names, address, phone) of references. Departments employing graduate assistants may request additional information.

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