Academic Policies for graduate assistants

Academic Information for Graduate Assistants (GAs)

A prospective doctoral graduate assistant must be admitted as a degree-seeking student in the Texas State Graduate College. GAs may be either teaching assistants (TAs) or research assistants (RAs).

The Department of Geography will offer doctoral graduate assistantships each year to selected applicants. These graduate assistantships are funded for 9 months and may be continued for four years, depending upon annual review of performance. GAs are half-time employees of the university and, as such, work 20 hours a week for the department.

Course Load

The minimum course load required for a long semester is nine semester hours. GAs taking more than 12 semester hours of course work must have approval from the Dean of the Graduate College.

Academic Expectations

GAs are required to maintain a minimum 3.0 grade-point average.

GA Teaching Load

Usually, the semester-hour teaching load during the long semester (fall or spring) is the equivalent of 3-4 semester hours or one class, and the semester hour teaching load during a six-week or eight-week summer session is the equivalent of one course (up to a maximum of four hours). Any exceptions to these teaching loads must be approved by the Dean of the Graduate College.