Each year, Kean University offers a limited amount of graduate assistantship positions to graduate students who apply. Through this program, a select number of Graduate students will have their tuition and fees waived for their services on campus. A graduate assistantship is an on-campus, part-time job for which the compensation is tuition and fees remission and a small stipend. The award is renewable annually for one year, terminating at the end of the spring semester. There are teaching, research, and administrative/office jobs available throughout the University.
Assistantships draw on a selection of different skills and require a service on campus 15-20 hours each week, depending on the student's assignment. Students must be admitted to a program before they can be considered for a graduate assistantship. Students must be registered for and complete a minimum of 9 credits, which is full-time status, in order to be eligible for a graduate assistantship.
To apply, students must complete the application, resume, and two letters of recommendation. The recommendations can be the same letters used with their graduate admissions application. Prospective employers seeking graduate assistants will review applications, conduct interviews and hire assistants. Students will be contacted if they wish to be interviewed for an open position. If they are granted an assistantship, you will work 15-20 hours a week for a department or office, such as the department of History or University Center. Assistantships begin in the fall semester of the new academic year and continue through the spring semester. There is no official deadline for applications, but most departments conduct hiring interviews in the Spring semester for the following Fall; there are very few mid-year appointments. However, Graduate Assistantships are filled on a first come, first served basis by candidates whose skills most closely match the needs of the University offices and departments.
If one is applying or have applied for financial aid, the assistantship award may have an impact on the person's financial aid eligibility. Regardless, it is strongly recommended that candidates seek out alternate financial aid, as Graduate Assistantship awards are very limited and not guaranteed.
Katie Pagan is the graduate assistant of the University Center Information Desk. Pagan is majoring in public administration with a concentration in non-profit management. Before her assistantship, Pagan worked in the University Center for about three years and was able to get a position in the department. Pagan stated " As a graduate assistant, I have gained a lot of responsibility. I gained the sense of keeping a professional appearance on campus, even if I am off the clock and not in the UC
For more information, contact Dallas Everett, the Graduate Assistant Coordinator by calling 908-737-3435, emailing deverett@kean.edu or visiting Townsend Hall, room 122.
