Each academic year, Seton Hall offers a limited number of graduate assistantships. Assistantships pay full tuition for three courses per semester and provide a stipend of $5,200 per year. In exchange graduate assistants must work 20 hours per week and maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better. Ordinarily, assistantships are automatically renewed for a second year, provided both the student and supervisor are satisfied with the arrangements.

Assistantships draw on a variety of different skills and require a presence on campus for some number of hours each week. You can view information on open assistantship positions and submit your application using the GA Job Database.

For further details about the Graduate Assistant Program, please consult the Graduate Assistant Handbook.

Overview

• You must be admitted to a program before you can apply for a graduate assistantship.
• To apply, you must complete the application form, your resume, and a personal statement.  You may use the essay required for your degree application. When you complete the application form, you will be able to upload your resume and personal statement.
• Your application will be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies Support Services.
  
• If you are granted an assistantship, you will work for a department or office, such as the Department of Biology, not for the Graduate Studies Support Services; departments and offices seeking GAs review applications, conduct interviews and hire assistants.
• Prospective employers will contact you if they wish to interview you for an open position.
• Graduate Studies Support Services provides information on fall semester assistantships in the preceding March.  Available spring semester assistantships, though quite rare, are listed in the preceding November.
• Faculty, staff, or advisors may know of potential openings before Graduate Studies Support Services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the graduate assistantship program?

A graduate assistantship is an on-campus, part-time job for which the compensation is tuition remission and a small stipend. There are about 150 jobs on campus, about one third of which become available each year because the award is renewable for one year. There are teaching, research, and administrative/office jobs available throughout the University.

Who is eligible to work as a graduate assistant?

Students who have been accepted into a degree program are eligible for assistantships. Assistantships are not available to non-matriculated students or to students in certificate programs.

How do I apply for an Assistantship?

The first step is to apply for an assistantship online. Your complete application consists of the application form, your resume, and a personal statement.

How do I get an assistantship?  How does it work?

Applications are forwarded to employers who request to see them.  The departments and offices which employ the students do the actual interviewing and hiring after they review applications.  Employers will contact the students for interviews, and then select the successful candidate.  It's also a good idea to keep in touch with any faculty, staff, or advisors you know, because often they are a good alternate source of information about openings on campus.  Just tell everyone you know on campus that you're available and looking for a position.

Is there a deadline for applications?

There is no official deadline for applications, but most departments conduct hiring interviews in the Spring semester for the following Fall. There are very few mid-year appointments, so most applications are reviewed in the Spring semester.

Can I apply for an assistantship at the same time as I apply to a graduate degree program?

No, you must be admitted to a degree (not certificate) program before you can be employed as a GA.

What if I don't get an assistantship this year?

Most students take out a loan for the first year of school while they continue to look for a GA position for the second year.

Where can I learn more about graduate assistantships?

For more information, please consult the Graduate Assistant Handbook.