Graduate Assistantships offer degree-related experience and financial support for graduate students enrolled in the Student Development Administration (SDA) program. These experiences are often an important factor when competing for positions after graduation. In order to be eligible for a Graduate Assistantship, students must be admitted to a graduate program at Seattle University and make satisfactory progress toward their degree during their assistantship. It is recommended that students take an average of 6 credits per quarter to complete the program in two years, but more or less can be taken depending on the student’s progress through the program.
Graduate Assistants are typically employed from late-August to mid-June. Graduate Assistantship contracts are annual, with the intention that the student remains in the position for 2 academic years. Admission into the graduate program does not guarantee a Graduate Assistantship. You can select to apply for the Graduate Assistantship program when you apply to the SDA master’s program.
Student Development Administration - College of Education
The Master's Degree in Student Development Administration is designed for those who want to work with college students outside of the formal classroom. Creative educators are needed in all post-secondary institutions throughout the United States and increasingly in other countries. Nationally recognized for its "education of the whole person," this program fosters understanding student diversity, ethics and values, and the ability to adapt to specific educational environments. For more information contact Lisa Tagal by email or telephone at (206) 296-5774. To apply, click here
Make sure to apply for the SDA program by December 1 to be considered for a graduate assistantship for the following academic year. If you have questions regarding your SDA application contact Graduate Admissions at 206-220-8010, 800-426-7123, or grad-admissions@seattleu.edu.
When completing your SDA Master’s Program application, one step of the application is indicating interest in applying for a Graduate Assistantship. If you indicate that you are interested in applying for the Graduate Assistantship program in your application submission, you will receive an email with instructions on how to upload your cover letter, resume, and references.
Please note that the cover letter is separate from any personal statement or other SDA program application materials, with a specific prompt (see below). Also, when including your references, they can be the same or separate references from those submitting references for your Master’s program application. References should be in the format of contact information, rather than reference letters, as they will be contacted if you are offered an assistantship. If possible, references should be able to speak to your professional experience and skills.
Please write a cover letter on the following: In relation to Seattle University's educational mission and values, (a) share your current work history and leadership experience, and (b) describe which specific departments and/or areas in student development you are most interested in learning about through an assistantship and why.
Once the application deadline has passed, supervisors of open positions will start reviewing materials of admitted students and will select the students they wish to interview. Admitted students will receive a Preview Days assignment along with an interview schedule. Interviews take place on the second day of Preview Days and are conducted in conference-style setting. Interviews are 30 minutes each and take place over a period of 4 hours. Applicants are assigned 3-5 interviews on average.
Graduate Assistants are compensated with an annual stipend. The stipend for the 2018-2019 academic year is $15,605, before taxes, and is based on an average of 20 hours per week. The stipend is paid in three installments, one at the beginning of each quarter. Stipend funds can be used to pay tuition, but are not limited to that purpose and can be used at the student's discretion. Some Graduate Assistantships in Housing & Residence Life are also compensated with room and board. Information about these possible additional benefits will be provided during the interview and hiring process. Currently, there is no tuition remission benefit associated with Graduate Assistantships.
All positions for the 2018-19 academic year are currently filled. Check back here in early November for more information about anticipated vacancies for the 2019-20 academic year.
Examples of some Graduate Assistantships include:
Albers School of Business and Economics
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
Center for Community Engagement
Coordinator for Student Leadership
Center for Student Involvement
Center for Student Involvement - Leadership Development Graduate Coordinator
Housing and Residence Life
Assistant Area Coordinator
Theme Communities and Off-Campus Housing
International Student Center
International Student Center Programming Coordinator
Office of Alumni Engagement
Graduate Assistant for Lifecycle Engagement
Orientation Programs
Orientation Programs Graduate Assistant
Summer Search
Summer Search College Access and Student Success Associate
Student Academic Persistence
Graduate Assistant for Student Academic Persistence
Student Success and Outreach
Graduate Coordinator for the Commuter Link
Graduate Coordinator for Student Success & Digital Media
Graduate Coordinator for First-Generation Initiatives
Graduate Coordinator for Reidy & McGoldrick Collegia
University Recreation
Marketing Graduate Coordinator
Wellness and Health Promotion
Wellness and Health Promotion - Wellness Coordinator (12 month position)
December 1, 2018
Deadline to apply for both the SDA program and the Graduate Assistantship program
Early February 2019
Receive SDA program admissions decision. If admitted, receive Preview Days assignment.
Late February/Early March 2019
Late March 2019
Hiring decision notifications
Mid-May 2019
Receive Graduate Assistantship contract and new hire paperwork
Late August/Early September 2019
Graduate Assistantship mandatory training
Please contact Dr. James Willette, Associate Vice President & Dean of Students, at 206-296-6060 or willettj@seattleu.edu with questions regarding the Graduate Assistantship Program.