Montana Technological University Graduate School: Graduate Student Assistantships

Graduate Research Assistanship (GTA) applies to graduate students funded through research-related accounts, such as external grants, contracts, or internal funds from indirect cost returns. GRA positions require either 10 hours per week (0.25 FTE) or 20 hours per week (0.50 FTE), with work assignments determined by the research grant or contract. Any additional hours beyond the appointment should contribute to the student’s thesis or coursework.

• 0.25 or 0.50 FTE
• Offered Spring, Summer and Fall (Summer GRA's must be registered in 6 credits for the following Fall semester)
• Advisor or Department Head initiates a GRA contract in etrieve, this is routed for signature. This paperwork should be completed before you begin working

A Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) assists with course duties and student instruction. Examples of GTA duties include assistance with laboratory set up, leading organized student help sessions, assistance with development of student assessments, delivery of class lectures on an occasional (~monthly) basis, and grading. GTAs are allocated to the department, selection is made by the Department Head, and the award is made through the Graduate School.

• 0.25 or 0.50 FTE
• Offered only Spring and Fall 
• Advisor or Department Head initiates a GTA contract in etrieve, this is routed for signature. This paperwork should be completed before you begin working

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) and Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) positions are awarded by the department, with selections made by the Department Head and processed through Student Employment. Once an applicant submits a complete admissions application, they are automatically considered for an assistantship.

Assistantships are granted based on departmental funding allocations and the strength of the applicant’s qualifications. Assistantships are merit-based and take into account academic performance, relevant experience, and service within the discipline. To qualify for an assistantship position, students must:

• Maintain satisfactory progress toward their degree
• Be professional in your interactions with peers, faculty, and students.
• Hold a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Be enrolled in at least 6 credits at the 400-500 level

Exceptions to these requirements are rare and require approval from the Dean of the Graduate School. Contact the Graduate School Office via gradschool@mtech.edu for further details.

To ensure full consideration for continuation, the student is advised to:

• Keep regular hours and meet the expectations stated in your employment documents.

• Check in regularly with your supervisor. Come prepared for the meeting.

• Depending on circumstances, your assistantship may be either overlap—or be adjacent to—your thesis research. Be sure you discuss this with your supervisor and/or advisor to ensure you are on the same page.  Your assistantship should clearly state expectations, and thesis credits for which you are registered provide you an opportunity to excel in progress toward your degree.

Submit a strong application, within the priority deadlines listed below to ensure your application receives the highest consideration for the available funding opportunities.

Connect with relevant faculty to build meaningful relationships. While securing a faculty advisor before applying is not required, establishing connections can improve your chances of obtaining an assistantship.