Graduate Assistantships
Types of Assistantships
Our department offers two types of assistantships for Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy graduate students: Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA).
Students pursuing a Master of Engineering degree or graduate certificate are not eligible for assistantship positions.
Below you will also find information on:
Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA)
- GRAs are offered directly by faculty members and are based on the availability of research grants and the alignment of faculty-student research interests.
- GRAs are offered to graduate students throughout the year, meaning a student may be offered an assistantship after starting their graduate program, based on the availability of faculty funding.
- Students interested in a GRA should work with faculty members directly.
Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA)
- GTAs are offered by the CEE Department based on the availability of university funds to assist with teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses.
- Your graduate application to our M.S. or Ph.D. program serves as your application for a GTA, and all admitted students are reviewed.
- If you are offered a GTA, you will be contacted by the department – there is no additional application or action needed on your part to be considered for a GTA.
Funding
Financial and tuition support associated with assistantships can vary. While most full-time assistantships provide a stipend and full tuition coverage, not all positions provide tuition coverage. If you are offered a GRA or GTA it is your responsibility to read the offer letter outlining what is covered by the assistantship.
Graduate Research Assistantships are employed at will and reappointed each semester by faculty based on:
- Availability of funds
- Maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Making satisfactory progress toward the degree
- Completion of assistantship responsibilities
- Compliance with program and university guidelines, including the Student Conduct Code and the CSU Policy on Consensual Relationships.
Funding is not guaranteed for any student. Students not supported by a graduate assistantship are responsible for paying their own tuition and fees. The cost of tuition and fees can be found here.
Graduate Assistantship Benefits
Graduate assistants may have access to benefits including tuition coverage, partial or full fee coverage (full fee coverage beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year), retirement plans, sick leave, parental leave, family and medical leave, worker’s compensation, and more.
Graduate assistants enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan may receive a health insurance contribution as a credit to their student account to help offset the cost of health insurance.
