Graduate Assistantship Program

Graduate assistantships (GAships) offer degree-related experience and financial support for graduate students enrolled in the SDA master's program. These experiences are often an important factor when competing for positions after graduation. In order to be eligible for a GAship, students must be admitted to Graduate School and make satisfactory progress toward their master's 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. GAship 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 GAship. You can select to apply for the GAship  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 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. National recognized for it's "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 SDA Master's Program by December 1 to be considered for a graduate assistantship for the following academic year. If you have questions regarding your SDA Master's Program application contact Graduate Admissions at 206-220-8010, 800-426-7123, or grad-admissions@seattleu.edu.

Processes

Applying

When completing your SDA Master’s Program application, one step of the application is indicating interest in applying for a Graduate Assistantship. Please see the photo below for reference. If you indicate that you are interested in applying for the Graduate Assistantship (GA) program, once your application is submitted 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 (below). Also, when including your references, they can be the same or separate references than 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 towards your professional experience and skills. 

Please write a cover letter on the following: In relation to Seattle University's educational mission and values, (a) please share your current work history and leadership experience, and (b) what specific departments and/or areas in student development you are most interested in learning about through an assistantship? 

SDA Application - Graduate Assistantship application

Interviewing 

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 is conducted TPE-style. Click here for some tips and tricks about Preview Days interviewing from past students. Interviews are 30 minutes each and take place over a period of 4 hours. Applicants are assigned 3-5 interviews on average.

Payment

Graduate assistantships 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 twenty hours per week. The stipend is paid in three installments, one at the beginning of each quarter. Stipend funds can be used to tuition, but are not limited to that and can be used at the student's discretion. Some GAships come with other benefits such as room and board, and that information is distributed during the interview/hiring process. Currently, there is no tuition remission benefit associated with Graduate Assistantships.

Positions

Positions will continue to be added and updated during the month of December.

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

Please contact Jaimie Motsenbocker by email or phone at 206-296-2525 with questions regarding the Graduate Assistantship Program.