How to Apply

The policies and eligibility requirements for graduate assistantships are established by The Graduate College. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee an assistantship.

To be considered for employment, students must apply directly through their academic department, which manages hiring, application deadlines, and appointment decisions. Some academic departments and administrative offices may also accept applications through Handshake/Career Services, so check with your department for available positions and submission options.

Overview of Eligibility Requirements

Graduate Degree-Seeking

3.0 TXST GPA

Regularly Admitted

Enrolled 9-12 Grad Hrs*

Good Academic Standing

Work 20 Hours/Week (Max)

Eligibility Requirements

Term-based Requirements

Fall/Spring Employment

  • Unconditional admission to a graduate degree program
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Enrolled in 9-12 graduate-level hours*
  • Employed up to 20 hours per week
  • Additional credentials required for teaching roles
  • Completion of required training and coursework

*Important: Holding a graduate assistantship may require more credit hours than the university’s or visa’s full-time standard. Students must take at least 9 hours in fall and spring, even if master's international students on “F” or “J” visas are full-time with just 6 hours.

Summer Employment

  • Unconditional admission to a graduate degree program
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Enrolled in a minimum of 3 graduate-level hours**
  • Employed up to 20 hours per week
  • Additional credentials required for teaching roles
  • Completion of required training and coursework

**0 summer hours permitted only if enrolled in 9+ graduate hours in both prior spring and fall semesters. (If you are an F-1 student, this follows ISSS' policy—unless your first semester at TXST is in the summer, in which case you must be enrolled full-time.)

Additional Requirements

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    • Degree Program: Students must be unconditionally admitted to a graduate degree program.
    • Course Load:
      • Fall/Spring: Minimum 9 graduate semester credit hours (SCH).
      • Summer: Minimum 3 SCH (any session) if not previously enrolled in 9 SCH during the prior fall and spring
      • Enrollment above 12 SCH (fall/spring) or 6 SCH (summer) requires approval from the Dean of The Graduate College.
    • GPA: Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in coursework toward the graduate degree.
    • Teaching Discipline Requirement (TA/DTA only): Must hold a master’s degree in the teaching field or 18 graduate hours in the discipline (per SACSCOC standards).

    Note: Graduate assistantship enrollment requirements exceed full-time standards. International students on F or J visas are considered full-time with 6 SCH, but GAs must enroll in 9 SCH during fall and spring.

  • All GTAs, DTAs, GIAs, and DIAs must complete 3 semester hours of professional development coursework in teaching.

    • Course formats vary by department: single 3-hour course, a 2-hour + 1-hour combination, or a 1-hour course taken three times.
    • Students enroll in the course during their first term and continue until the 3-hour requirement is met.
    • Up to 3 hours of this coursework can count toward the 9-SCH minimum enrollment requirement.
    • Tuition & Fees covered by university administration; not eligible for financial aid.
    • These courses provide practical teaching experience and professional development valuable for future academic or industry careers.

    • Maximum Hours: Up to 50% FTE (20 hours/week) during fall and spring. Exceptions over 50% require graduate dean approval.
    • Teaching Load (TA/DTA):
      • Fall/Spring: Typically 6 SCH (2 classes) per semester.
      • Summer: One course (max 4 SCH for 6–8 week sessions; 6 SCH for 12-week sessions).
    • Policies ensure assistants maintain a balanced workload to support timely degree completion.

    • How to Apply: Submit applications directly to your department or university office. Some positions may be applied for via Handshake/Career Services.
    • Appointment Terms: Typically semester, academic year, or grant-funded duration; may range from summer sessions (8 weeks) to 12 months.
    • Funding Contingency: Appointments depend on available funds and admission to a graduate program. Renewal is at departmental discretion.

    • Most departments require new assistants to attend an orientation session. Check with your department upon application.
    • Supervision:
      • TAs: Instructor of record under faculty supervision.
      • IAs: Supervised by course instructor or lab coordinator.
      • RAs: Supervised by faculty or office supervisor.
    • All assistants receive regular evaluations as required by their department.

    • Salary: Paid monthly per student employee pay schedule.
    • Tuition: May qualify for tuition waivers through Student Business Services.
    • Health Insurance: Available for ≥50% FTE appointments lasting at least 4.5 consecutive months. Students may choose the Student Health Insurance Plan or Employer Group Insurance Program, or opt out if already covered.

    • Non-Discrimination: All graduate assistant employment complies with UPPS 04.04.46.
    • PCR Documentation: Required employment forms must be submitted; see Faculty Records FAQ for details.

One-Time Enrollment Exception Policy (9-Hour Requirement)

Graduate assistants must maintain enrollment in at least 9 graduate credit hours during each long semester of their assistantship.

In limited circumstances (e.g., a student’s final semester or documented health concerns), a one-time exception may be requested. The graduate advisor of the student is responsible for submitting exception requests on the student’s behalf. Students who believe they may qualify should contact their hiring department directly, as requests must be initiated and approved at the departmental level before review by The Graduate College at Texas State University.

Approval is not guaranteed and remains subject to institutional policy and review.

GA Employee Waivers (Non-Resident Tuition Waiver)

GA Employee Waivers are processed automatically when the hiring department submits the student’s assistantship hiring documents. Hiring departments are responsible for requesting the waiver through Student Business Services on the student’s behalf. 

Students who have questions about the Non-Resident Tuition Waiver should contact their hiring department directly.

Types of Graduate Assistantships

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  • Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA) and Doctoral Teaching Assistants (DTA) are enrolled students who assist with undergraduate courses and are reported as the “teacher of record.” Appointed by an academic department, these positions are funded through faculty salaries. GTAs and DTAs gain hands-on teaching experience and receive a formal faculty contract for a semester or the academic year, with monthly pay.

  • Graduate Instructional Assistants (GIA) and Doctoral Instructional Assistants (DIA) support undergraduate or graduate courses under the supervision of faculty but are not the teacher of record. They may work with specific student groups, assist with grading, or help run labs, recitations, or other course activities. For graduate courses, instructional assistants do not have access to other students’ grades unless approved by the Dean of The Graduate College. These appointments are typically for a semester or the academic year and are paid monthly. This role provides practical teaching and mentoring experience without full instructional responsibility.

  • Graduate Research Assistants (GRA) and Doctoral Research Assistants (DRA) participate in faculty-mentored research projects aligned with grants, sponsored programs, or departmental research initiatives. These positions provide advanced research experience under faculty supervision and may be funded through grants, start-up accounts, or approved university accounts. Appointments can last for a semester, academic year, or the duration of a research project, with monthly pay. Work must directly support the objectives of the research project.

  • Graduate Assistants (GA) and Doctoral Assistants (DA) support departmental or university operations through research, technical work, or institutional support. They are non-exempt employees, meaning they are covered by minimum wage and overtime rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Appointments may be funded through university funds or grants. Students in this role cannot access confidential records without FERPA training and a signed confidentiality agreement. These positions provide practical professional experience while ensuring compliance with employment regulations.

    Non-Exempt Status: Non-exempt assistants are subject to minimum wage and overtime rules. Work hours must be recorded as required, and paid leave, including holidays, is not provided. Hours over 40 per week are compensated at time-and-a-half.

For Hiring Managers

If you are interested in hiring graduate assistants within your departments, please visit our hiring resources page.