Nicholls State University

University
Graduate Studies

Assistantships

A graduate assistant is defined as a graduate student who has been accepted into a graduate program and who is receiving compensation in return for the performance of assigned duties. A graduate assistant is expected to earn a minimum of six hours of coursework every Fall and Spring semester in their graduate degree program (three hours during a Summer semester) with a maximum of 12 hours from their degree program during a semester (six in the summer semester). The only acceptable courses outside of the student’s graduate degree program are courses described as “foundation” courses or program prerequisite courses AND will only be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies with a letter of explanation from the graduate assistant’s Program Coordinator or major professor. If a graduate assistant enrolls in any other courses, he/she will be responsible for the associated tuition and fees. In the final semester of the degree program, a graduate assistant must register for at least one hour. For graduate assistants, six semester hours during a semester (Fall or Spring) and three semester hours during a summer semester will constitute a full-time load. Students enrolled in graduate programs may hold an assistantship for a maximum of six semesters.

Students with full time employment are ineligible for graduate assistantships, except in cases of individuals on leave from full time employment.

Non-master’s Alternative Certification students with NMCP classification may hold an assistantship for a maximum of three semesters. NMCP students holding assistantships must meet the same minimum course progress toward completion of certification as other graduate assistants pursuing a specific master’s degree.

Nicholls assures equal opportunity for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and similar considerations. (Please refer to the section on Student Rights and Responsibilities in the front of this Catalog.)

Graduate Assistantship Reappointment Policy

Reappointment is not guaranteed, but a student is eligible to be reappointed provided the following criteria are met and/or based on the recommendation of the student’s program coordinator and assistantship supervisor:

  • Satisfactory completion of work duties as determined by department supervisor(s)
  • Maintenance of a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Completion of at least 6 hours of graduate credit applicable to the graduate degree each regular semester (Fall and Spring) OR completed at least 3 hours of graduate credit applicable to the degree each summer semester
  • Enrolled full time (at least 6 hours applicable toward the degree during regular semester and at least 3 hours applicable toward the degree during summer semester) each semester
  • Availability of funding

How to Apply

Complete the Assistantship Application and email it to your Graduate Program Coordinator or deliver it in person. For questions, contact the Office of University Graduate Studies at graduate.studies@nicholls.edu. 

To be considered for a graduate assistantship position, an Assistantship Application and all required application materials must be received by the assistantship deadline for the semester in which you are applying. 

Assistantship Application Deadlines

Fall Semester: March 1
Spring Semester: November 1

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