Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships (GAs) at Minnesota State Moorhead provide paid, hands-on professional experience while helping reduce the cost of graduate school.
Whether you're interested in teaching and academic support or administrative and program leadership, Moorhead offers assistantship opportunities that align with your career goals.
Graduate Assistants work closely with faculty and staff while building in-demand skills and gaining meaningful experience.
Ready to apply? Jump to Application Overview
Explore Graduate Assistantship Types
Moorhead offers two types of Graduate Assistantships. Choose the path that best fits your interests and career goals:
Not sure which to choose? Explore both options before applying.
Graduate Instructional Assistantships
Support teaching and learning in academic settings.
- Assist with instruction, grading, and course support
- Lead labs, discussions, or review sessions
- Work closely with faculty and academic programs
- Ideal for students interested in teaching, research, or academic careers
Explore Instructional Assistantships
Graduate Administrative Assistantships
Support campus operations, programs, and student services.
- Assist with projects, communications, and program coordination
- Support campus offices and administrative functions
- Build skills in leadership, organization, and higher ed administration
- Ideal for students interested in student affairs, administration, or nonprofit careers
Explore Administrative Assistantships
Instructional vs. Administrative Assistantships
Not sure which type of Graduate Assistantship is right for you? Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Instructional (GIA) | Administrative (GAA) |
|---|---|
| Support teaching, labs, and course instruction | Support programs, offices, and campus operations |
| Work closely with faculty and students in academic settings | Work with staff and departments across campus |
| Ideal for teaching or academic career paths | Ideal for administration, student services, or leadership roles |
| May lead discussions, labs, or tutoring sessions | May coordinate projects, events, or communications |
Explore Instructional Assistantships | Explore Administrative Assistantships
Graduate Assistantship Benefits & Expectations
All Graduate Assistantships offer a combination of financial support and professional development. Specific benefits may vary by position.
Tuition Waiver
- Available for select positions (Instructional Assistantships)
- Up to 6 graduate credits waived per semester
- Up to 12 graduate credits waived per academic year (with renewal)
Stipend
- $2,500 per semester
- $5,000 total stipend per academic year (with renewal)
- Administrative assistantships may offer hourly wages or alternative compensation structures
Time Commitment
- Approximately 10–20 hours per week (varies by position)
- Specific responsibilities are determined by the hiring department
Renewal
- Performance is evaluated at the end of each semester
- Renewal for spring is based on satisfactory performance
- Students must reapply each academic year
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for a Graduate Assistantship, students must:
- Be admitted to a Minnesota State Moorhead graduate program
- Be enrolled in at least 6 graduate credits per semester
- Maintain good academic standing
Additional requirements may vary by position.
Application Overview
Applying for a Graduate Assistantship is a multi-step process:
- Apply and gain admission to a Moorhead graduate program
- Review our blog: How to Get Into Graduate School
- Prepare your resume and cover letter
- Apply for assistantship positions based on your selected path
Application timelines, requirements, and selection processes may vary by assistantship type.
Visit each assistantship page to view specific application steps and deadlines.
Not Sure Which Assistantship is Right for You?
If you're unsure which path fits your goals, explore both options or connect with Graduate Studies for guidance.