Graduate Assistantships
A number of graduate assistantships are available each year for graduate students who have been admitted unconditionally to a graduate degree program. These graduate assistantships provide a $10,000 per year ($5,000 per semester) stipend for the fall and spring semesters. The stipend is disbursed in bi-monthly increments on the 15th and 30th. A graduate assistant must be a full-time student who maintains a 3.0 cumulative GPA and registers for and completes at least nine graduate credit hours (600 level) but no more than 13 credit hours each semester. Twenty hours a week must be devoted to the duties of a full assistantship. While non-resident students are not required to pay out-of-state tuition, all recipients must pay the regular Kentucky resident and incidental fees as the GA award does not cover these expenses. For more detailed information, visit the Graduate School's website at www.moreheadstate.edu/Academics/Graduate-School/Graduate-Assistantships. You can also reach the Graduate School by phone at 606-783-2039.
Qualified students are eligible to receive a graduate assistantship for two years. Failure to maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA will result in the loss of the graduate assistantship position and benefits associated with the award.
- Departments planning to use graduate assistants should identify a member of the graduate faculty to coordinate the activities of the graduate assistant(s).
- The faculty member should furnish each graduate assistant with a job description that outlines his/her duties. The graduate assistant must agree to these duties and sign an acceptance form.
- Unless exempted by SACS standards, a graduate assistant who has teaching responsibilities must have completed at least 18 graduate credit hours in his/her teaching field and must be supervised by a graduate faculty member with teaching experience in the same field. The graduate assistant's supervision on the part of the faculty member must include in-service training and evaluation.
- Any grievance must be routed through the supervising faculty, department chair or director and the graduate dean.
A student for whom English is a second language may be employed as a graduate assistant only when a test of spoken English or other reliable evidence of the applicant's proficiency in oral communication and speech indicates that his/her appointment is appropriate.
The Science Endowment Fellowships
This endowment is available as a supplement to a graduate assistantship for an African-American student in the biological sciences. You must be unconditionally admitted to a graduate degree program, enrolled as a full-time student in 600-level courses and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. With the supplemental money, the GA stipend will be $12,500 per academic year. Graduate assistant applications are available in the Office of Human Resources. Further information is available from the Department of Biology and Chemistry department chair, 606-783-2945 or Geoff Gearner, biology graduate coordinator, 606-783-2803 (g.gearner@moreheadstate.edu). Awards will be made on a first come basis with a preferred deadline of April 1.
University Keys
Students employed as graduate assistants may obtain University keys necessary in the performance of their duties by initiating a request through their supervisor. Requests will be processed via the same procedures as those for other University employees except the form must indicate a date that the keys will be turned in. The MSU Police Department provides key services between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.