Graduate Instructional Assistantships
A Graduate Instructional Assistantship (GIA) at Minnesota State Moorhead provides hands-on experience supporting teaching and learning in academic programs.
These positions are ideal for students interested in teaching, research, or academic careers.
Graduate Instructional Assistants work closely with faculty and students while building skills in instruction, communication, and subject-area expertise.
Not interested in teaching?
Explore Administrative Graduate Assistantships.
Jump to: What You’ll Do | Is This Right for You? | Application Steps | Frequently Asked Questions
What You'll Do
Instructional GAs support faculty and students through a variety of academic activities:
- Assist with course instruction and delivery
- Lead labs, discussions, or review sessions
- Support grading and assessment
- Hold office hours or tutoring sessions
- Provide academic support in high-impact courses
Is This Right for You?
This assistantship type is a good fit if you:
- Are interested in teaching or academia
- Enjoy working directly with students
- Want to build presentation and instructional skills
- Are considering future graduate or doctoral study
Application Steps
Fall 2026 Application Timeline
- Applications open: March 24, 2026
- Priority deadline: April 13, 2026
- Final deadline: August 1, 2026
- Apply and gain admission to a Moorhead graduate program
- Review our blog: How to Get Into Graduate School
- Update your resume and cover letter
- Complete the Graduate Instructional Assistantship Application
Applications are reviewed on a competitive basis. Early submission is encouraged.
Be sure to review application deadlines on the Graduate Assistantships page before applying.
Apply for a Graduate Instructional Assistantship
Important Notes
- Responsibilities vary by department and course
- Positions are competitive and may be limited
- View the Graduate Assistantships page for shared benefits, eligibility, and deadlines
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about graduate instructional assistantships, including eligibility, application requirements, financial benefits, and work expectations.
Jump to a topic: Eligibility | Applying | Financial Benefits | Work Expectations | Maintaining Your Assistantship
Financial Benefits
Selected assistants receive a tuition waiver for up to 6 credits per semester (excluding summer) plus a stipend of $2,500 per semester (excluding summer).
No. The stipend and tuition waiver cannot be stacked with other funding offers.
Please consult with the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid to discuss with the team how accepting this will impact your financial aid package.
Yes. The stipend is taxable since it is considered income.
Yes. All campus services and resources are available to all students regardless of their tuition funding.
No. You must use your waiver during the semester when you begin working as a graduate assistant.
Eligibility
Any graduate student who fulfills the requirements below:
- Admitted to a graduate degree program
- Enrolled in at least 6 credits
- Active or newly admitted graduate student
- In good academic standing
Yes. International students may apply.
To be eligible for the GA program, filling out the FAFSA is a requirement for domestic students only.
Yes. Depending on the needs of the instructor, they may have work that can be done remotely. You will indicate your program’s delivery mode in the application.
Applying for an Assistantship
Please read the detailed instructions and complete the Graduate Student Application Form.
The application opens on March 23. The priority deadline to apply is April 6. Assistantships will be distributed based on available funding. We encourage early application.
Your application must include a resume and undergraduate (unofficial) transcript. No application will be considered without these documents.
Yes. Every department will conduct interviews with candidates to gauge potential alignment with the student’s experience, interests, and tasks related to specific undergraduate courses.
Faculty will select graduate assistants based on a combination of their experience and ability to meet the needs of the department and courses.
Work Expectations
Graduate assistants for large class sections will be expected to assist with the following tasks:
- Grading assignments
- Managing discussion boards
- Proctoring exams
- Supporting students' questions
- Tutoring students who seek added support
- Other support duties assigned by the course instructor
The estimated time commitment is 20 hours per week.
There is a limit of 20 hours per week during the school year.
Maintaining Your Assistantship
Yes, but eligibility will be reviewed at the end of every term.
Since class enrollment is a requirement for eligibility, you are no longer eligible for graduate assistantships if your credit registration falls below 6 credits.
If you take a leave of absence, you are no longer eligible to be a graduate assistant and need to reapply upon returning to school.
You need to reapply upon returning to school.
The last day of classes is your last day of duties.