Graduate Assistantships

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 applying for positions after graduation.

Eligibility

  • Admitted to a graduate program at Seattle University
  • Make satisfactory progress toward your degree during the assistantship
  • 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
  • Apply by December 1 for a graduate assistantship as part of your graduate admissions application

Terms of Employment

  • Most annual contracts run from mid-August to mid-June
  • Intention is for the student to remain in the position for two academic years
  • Second year students may apply
  • Admission into the graduate program does not guarantee an assistantship

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. 

If you have questions about the admissions application process, please contact us at sda@seattleu.edu or (206) 296-5750.

Timeline Event
December 15 Deadline for SDA admissions and graduate assistantship applications
Late January Applicants receive notification of admission
March 2-3 Preview Days for graduate assistantship interviews (attend one session)
Mid March Applicants receive hiring offers
Mid May Contracts and new hire paperwork
Mid August  Mandatory orientation for graduate assistants

Please contact Eunice MacGill at macgille@seattleu.edu or (206) 296-6066 with questions regarding the graduate assistantship program.

Graduate Assistantship Application Process

Graduate Assistantships for 2023-2024*

Thank you for your interest in the Graduate Assistantship Program. Available Graduate Assistantship positions are now listed below. The Graduate Assistantships offered through the Division of Student Development are first available to the students in the Student Development Administration master’s program. SDA students apply through the official SDA graduate admissions application. The group of SDA students who applied by the December 15th application deadline participate in Preview Days events and interviews for available positions. To be eligible for any Graduate Assistantship positions, you must be a current or incoming graduate student at Seattle University who does not currently hold a GA position for the 2023-24 academic year.

If you are a student in a graduate program other than the SDA program or you are an SDA applicant who applied after the December 15th application deadline, any available Graduate Assistantships that are still open after the completion of the Preview Days interview process with no SDA candidates will be posted on the Seattle U student employment website, Handshake. That usually happens during the spring or summer quarter, however, there is no guarantee that positions will still be available. If one is posted and you meet the requirements, you are welcome to apply through the Handshake application process.


Center for Student Involvement
Housing and Residence Life
Office of Alumni Engagement
Office of Multicultural Affairs
Orientation Programs
Student Success & Outreach
University Recreation
Wellness and Health Promotion
Highline College, Des Moines, WA

* Please check back periodically to see if additional positions have been added. 

* Graduate Assistantship may be available at other institutions. Please check Handshake for any available positions and apply for these positions through Handshake. Please work with the external institutions regarding their available positions. 

Preview Days 2023

We look forward to welcoming admitted students to the Division of Student Development and SDA Preview Days experience in March of 2023. Admitted students will receive more information regarding Preview Days 2023 after January of 2023. The Preview Days team is supported by our Preview Days Coordinators (PDC) who are current SDA graduate students. Please feel free to reach out to anyone below if you have questions or would like to learn more about the student experience in SDA. 

Photo of Mackenzie Otterson (she/her)

Mackenzie Otterson (she/her)

M.Ed. Candidate in Student Development Administration

Graduate Coordinator for the office of Student Success & Outreach

Mackenzie is in her first year of graduate school at Seattle University. She is from Lakeville, Minnesota and currently serves as the Graduate Coordinator for the office of Student Success and Outreach. Prior to attending Seattle University, she worked as a Graduate Coordinator for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and served an Americorps term to work as a College Coach at a Seattle nonprofit. Mackenzie identifies as a life-long learner who is passionate about equal access to education and helping students thrive throughout their educational journeys. She chose the SDA program because of the small class sizes and the fantastic growth opportunities the program offers inside and outside of the classroom. In her free time Mackenzie loves to read, bake, try new restaurants around Seattle, and snuggle with her two cats.

Photo of Jireh Reduque | she/her/siya

Jireh Reduque | she/her/siya

M.Ed. Candidate in Student Development Administration

First Year Liaison – SUSDA

Jireh is in her first year in the SDA program. Although she grew up in a military household, she calls Seattle her home. Jireh identifies as first generation, Filipina American, small business owner, Christian, and plant mom. She chose the SDA program because of their mission for educating the whole person with social justice and equity lens in mind. She is passionate about serving and supporting students to have the best higher education experience. Outside of this program, you will find Jireh vending in events around Seattle for her jewelry business, paddleboarding around the sound, or hitting up different coffee/tea shops. Go Redhawks!

Photo of Valeria Villa | Pronouns she/her/hers

Valeria Villa | Pronouns she/her/hers

M.Ed. Candidate in Student Development Administration

Valeria is in her first year of graduate school at Seattle University. She is from Mexico City and Reno, Nevada and is passionate about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work. Valeria identifies as a Mexican woman, multilingual, first-generation college graduate, who finds power in embracing cultural wealth. In her free time, she hangs out with her dog Pepino and cat Chateau watching reality tv and loves to cook family recipes and creating her own.  She chose SDA because of the strong values and emphasis on social justice embedded through the program. Feel free to reach out, she'd love to support you with your transition to grad school!