Submission deadline: Jan. 15 each year
Qualifications To Apply:
Any graduate student may apply for a graduate assistantship if he/she is:
1. Applying for or accepted into the graduate program (M.A., M.Ed., Ph.D.) in Special Education;
2. Registered as a full-time student (9 credits fall/spring, 6 credits summer) the semesters for which he/she requests a graduate assistantship;
3. Not student-teaching or on another extended field experience during the semester for which he/she requests a GA;
4. Capable of fulfilling the qualifications and duties described in any of the job descriptions listed below.
Selection Criteria:
Priority will be given to applicants with:
1. Competency in oral and written communication;
2. Clerical keyboarding and computer/software skills;
3. Leadership/organizational skills;
4. Experience in school, laboratory or clinical settings; or
5. Experience that has developed specific skills required for GA tasks.
Benefits:
Graduate Assistants are generally awarded a tuition waiver for each semester they are employed. In addition, a monthly stipend is awarded for the duration of their employment as a GA. The actual amount of each stipend is determined each year on the basis of available budgets. Twelve credits of tuition are waived each semester if (a) the graduate assistantship is for a minimum of four continuous months, (b) the graduate assistantship is no less than 13 hours/week, and (c) stipend is at least $2,400 per semester. The subsequent summer tuition (6 credits maximum) is waived if the GA for the Fall and Spring semesters equals the minimum amount specified in the current UNL Graduate Studies Bulletin.
Expectations:
Graduate Assistantships are part-time jobs awarded to qualified students to assist them with the financial responsibilities associated with full-time enrollment in graduate school. Each GA will be assigned to one or more faculty members in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders and expected to work from 13-19.6 hours per week as detailed in each individual's employment contract. GAs are expected to register as full-time students but not exceed 14 credits/semester. Students who receive graduate assistantships are not permitted to hold other employment unless such employment, in combination with their assistantship, does not exceed a total of 20 hours/week.
Work will begin the Monday prior to the start of classes each semester and continue weekly (including Fall and Spring Break weeks) through the full week after final exams. A schedule of specific work hours will be arranged each semester with the assigned faculty advisor and with consideration given to the student's schedule of classes and other graduate school commitments.
Students may not receive graduate assistantships during semesters in which they student teach or complete required field experiences. These practicum assignments necessitate the student to be away from campus many hours and do not provide adequate opportunity to complete GA work assignments. No student will be eligible to receive an assistantship for more than two years (four academic semesters).
Job Descriptions
The actual number of GAs hired each semester is determined by the availability of funds, needs of the department faculty, and qualifications of applicants. The Special Education Unit generally has need for GAs who can fulfill one or more of the qualifications and duties described below.
Research/Teaching Assistance. Duties include assisting with data collection, possibly at an off-campus site; coding data; using a computer for data entry or coding; completing library searches; photocopying or collating needed research materials and references; proof-reading drafts of surveys, manuscripts, and letters; and making phone calls to subjects or project collaborators. Assistants should have good verbal presentation skills and be able to dialogue effectively with adults. GAs may be requested to proctor exams, assist with grading exams and class projects, maintain class records, tutor students, and engage in problem-solving and brainstorming with faculty members or students. GAs need to be familiar with general office equipment and basic computer and website maintenance skills.
Undergraduate Courses. GAs assigned to assist with undergraduate courses must possess good skills in time management, organization of projects, and interpersonal communication. Responsibilities will include preparation of handouts and class materials, phonetic transcription and grading, facilitating small group activities, record keeping, grading assignments, and supervising class activities.