Graduate assistant

A graduate assistant is a person who serves in a support role (assistantship) at a university, usually while completing post-graduate education. The individual typically assists professors with instructional responsibilities as teaching assistants or with academic research responsibilities as research assistants, aids coaches with an athletic team, or is employed by other university departments (such as housing or academic advising) in an entry-level capacity.

Rather than receive hourly wages, GAs are often remunerated in the form of a stipend that offsets some or all of their tuition. Assistantships provide much needed experience for graduate students, increasing their future employment options.