Graduate Assistantships At Culver-Stockton College
Graduate assistants are an integral part of the intellectual community at Culver-Stockton College. The purpose of graduate education is to develop scholars and professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed in their chosen fields. By working under the supervision of College professionals, graduate assistants gain valuable experience relevant to their profession.
Graduate assistantships are merit-based awards that recognize outstanding achievement and provide financial support to students as they pursue their degrees. Both the college and the student benefit from the assistantship. The student receives professional experience and financial support, while the university gains a student assistant dedicated to advancing its mission.
Graduate assistants are expected to balance the challenges presented by both the assistantship duties and the requirements of the graduate degree. As such, a student must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward the completion of scholarly tasks as well as assignments in the workplace. All graduate students are encouraged to consult with assistantship supervisors and departmental graduate advisors throughout this process.
Students with full-time assistantships are required to work up to 20 hours per week and will receive a waiver of tuition up to 18 hours per year (6 credits per semester inclusive of classes taken during the summer).
Culver-Stockton College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to diversity. C-SC has a non-discrimination policy that includes race, gender, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, religion, national origin or any other characteristic protected by law.
Tuition Waiver Benefit
Graduate assistants receive a limited waiver of tuition (upon receipt of a signed contract) for up to 18 credit hours per year (inclusive of summer) with a maximum of 6 credit hours per semester. The waiver includes tuition only and does not include books and supplies, course fees and other student fees. Tuition waivers only cover graduate courses required for the student’s approved program of study, and do not include undergraduate courses to enhance a student’s preparation for his/her graduate program.
Stipend
Graduate assistants receive a $2,500 stipend per year.
*In the event that a graduate assistant is hired as a Residence Director, then the stipend is replaced with meals and housing benefits.
Taxation
Graduate assistant tuition waiver benefits exceeding $5,250 in the calendar year (January-December) are taxable. The stipend will be subject to federal and state withholding taxes. FICA will not be withheld for students enrolled in 6 credits per semester.
Application Eligibility Requirements
Students must meet the conditions listed below to apply for an assistantship position:
- Must be fully admitted to a graduate degree program at Culver-Stockton College. Probationary, non-degree, and second bachelor’s degree students are not eligible to hold assistantship positions.
- Submit a graduate assistantship application to Graduate & Professional Studies. Please note that individual hiring areas may require additional application materials or processes.
- Complete all required employment paperwork including a background check. All employment requirements must be met before an assistantship contract is provided.
Maintaining a Graduate Assistantship Responsibilities
Students must meet all the conditions listed below in order to remain in an assistantship position:
- Sign an assistantship contract.
- Maintain a 3.0 or higher in the respective graduate program.
- Be enrolled in a minimum of 6 hours of graduate-level coursework during the fall and spring semesters.
- Perform graduate assistantship position responsibilities.
- Adhere to standards of professional ethics and abide by the policies and procedures listed in the Employee Handbook.
How to Apply
Open Graduate Assistant positions are posted to the right. Read the position descriptions carefully.
To apply for an assistantship, please submit the required application materials to the Dean of Graduate & Professional Studies Belle Cowden bcowden@culver.edu.