How do I obtain a graduate assistantship?

Students who are admitted to the Ph.D. program are eligible to participate in our annual graduate assistantship placement process, known as GA Days, which takes place once per year in early spring. If you are admitted to the program, we will contact you about participating in GA Days. During GA Days, you will have the opportunity to interview with our assistantship employers. (International applicants may participate in interviews with graduate assistantship employers virtually.) Note that participation in GA Days is not a guarantee you will be placed in an assistantship; placements are competitive, and not all admitted students receive a placement. If you wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship, you must submit your application by December 1, each year for admission the following fall semester, to ensure we have sufficient time to review your application prior to GA Days.

The graduate assistantship is a 20 hour/week practicum that gives you additional paraprofessional experience working within a higher education unit. Assistantships come with a stipend, some provide tuition remission or other benefits, and they are available at a variety of higher education institutions across Northeast Ohio with whom we have partnerships (international students are required to have their assistantship placement at Kent State). Note that assistantship placements are aligned with Kent State’s academic calendar, beginning in late August and ending in mid-May.