GA Duties/Expectations

Should you be awarded a graduate assistantship, you will be required to sign a contract that defines the guidelines and regulations presented below. Review the duties and expectations of a graduate assistant to determine if the program is right for you.

  1. Renewal of Assistantships: A new application must be submitted to the hiring unit by the student for each academic year the assistantship is requested.

  2. Terms of Appointment:  Graduate assistants are appointed by the university to conduct work in exchange for a stipend package. In this capacity, they are expected to report in the same timeframe as faculty (i.e., during academic semesters and not during break or vacation times). Graduate assistants must report to work one week prior to first day of instruction, both fall and spring semester. Exceptions to this statement may be negotiated at the time of appointment; however, both parties must agree to the arrangement and approval must be obtained from the chairperson, academic dean, and Graduate College dean.

  3. Work Load: It is expected that the graduate assistant will spend a maximum of 20 hours per week fulfilling research or teaching requirements.

  4. Satisfactory Performance: Graduate assistants may be terminated if they do not satisfactorily perform their assigned work duties within the department. GAs may also be terminated if they do not make satisfactory progress toward their degrees. Unsatisfactory progress includes, but is not limited to: not filing a degree program on time; receiving a D or F or receiving an overall GPA below 3.00; obtaining an incomplete grade on the academic record that is not removed after one calendar year; and failing department qualifying and comprehensive examinations. Graduate assistants should be familiar with the provisions of the current Graduate Catalog and special departmental requirements.

  5. Teacher Training and General Orientation: New graduate assistants are required as part of their contract obligation to attend the Graduate College Orientation and a TLC seminar on teaching.

  6. Credit Load: Graduate assistants must carry a minimum of six graduate credit hours per semester to avoid termination. Credits from audited classes will not be counted toward the six-credit minimum requirement. To carry a credit load in excess of 12 credit hours per semester, graduate students must file an overload petition that must be approved by the department chair and Graduate College dean. Graduate assistants working during the summer must enroll in a minimum of three graduate level credits in order to be hired.

  7. Summer Sessions: A state-funded graduate assistant who is under contract for the academic year and who remains enrolled in a degree program may receive a grant-in-aid for the payment of a specified portion of the registration fees (up to a maximum of 12 graduate credits) in the summer session immediately prior to or immediately following the effective date of his/her contract.

  8. Outside Employment: Before accepting employment on or off campus, the graduate assistant must petition the Graduate College dean for approval, after obtaining approval from his/her department chairperson. The employment must be limited in nature and related to the area of study. Failure to request approval of employment may result in the assistantship being rescinded. International students (F-1) are limited to a 20-hour work week during the academic year.

  9. University Benefits: Graduate assistants have the option of obtaining student health insurance with the university paying a portion of the premium. The portion of the premium that the university pays the GA will be taxed in April and November. Graduate assistants do not receive annual or sick leave, and they are not included in any university employee retirement plans.

  10. Tuition Reduction: A tuition reduction of graduate course fees is available to state-funded graduate assistants for a maximum of 10 credits each semester. Out-of-state tuition is waived for state-funded and grant-funded graduate assistants while they are under contract. If your GA contract ends and you are a non-Nevada resident, you must apply for Nevada residency by completing the residency application in order to avoid paying out-of-state tuition.

  11. For additional Information, please see the GRA/GTA Policy Guidelines (PDF)