Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships

Assistantships and Other Experiential Opportunities

The program focuses on developing research practitioners, and as such, has an emphasis on gaining practical experience in the field.  Hence, efforts are made to match students with assistantships and other employment opportunities.  In addition, internships are an important component of the program.  This focus is based on 1) the professional nature of the HI ED degree (CSA Track) and 2) the vital importance of practical training in CSA professional preparation. Classroom education is one component of the education and training for a CSA graduate student—practical education in the form of significant and sustained professional experience is also imperative.

This philosophy places the practical experience directly within the "curriculum" of our graduate program. Assistantship and internship supervisors are important partners in the CSA track.  While students in the Higher Education College Student Affairs Track are held accountable for professional expectations during their work experiences, supervisors should also recognize these students are learning, often assuming a professional role for the first time in their careers. We encourage supervisors to consider themselves as teachers. Expectations for supervisors include 1) being familiar with the Learning Outcomes, 2) intentionally designing opportunities for students to gain competency in those outcomes, and 3) providing constructive feedback for students throughout the experience.

Graduate Assistantships—General Information

Most students accepted for full-time admission to the Higher Education Program College Student Affairs Track hold a Graduate Assistantship (GA), typically within The Division of Student Affairs at Penn State. Positions include a salary based on hours worked each week, full tuition, and student health insurance. (Other work opportunities with varying compensation packages are also available for students who do not hold assistantships.  In addition, individuals who are currently working in student affairs or student affairs-related positions may be admitted to the CSA program on a part-time basis.)

Applicants to the Higher Education College Student Affairs Track are automatically entered into a pool for consideration for assistantships.  During Preview Weekend, accepted students will have the opportunity to meet and interview with potential assistantship site supervisors.

Position Descriptions

The following is a list of offices which are funded to support Graduate Assistants.

PLEASE NOTE: Because only some of these positions represent openings in any given academic year, we discourage applicants from contacting these offices directly. Applicants invited to Preview Weekend will be provided a list of open assistantships and recommended procedures for communicating with offices.