Graduate Assistantship Program

Each year, the Department of Psychology employs several graduate research assistants. These graduate students assist faculty members with both teaching and research. Graduate research assistants perform a wide variety of duties, depending on faculty needs and on the assistant's skills and background. Graduate research assistants cover classes for absent professors; show videotapes to classes; monitor tests; grade homework and tests; enter, code, and analyze data; test subjects in experiments; tutor students; score IQ record forms; keep track of departmental test kits; conduct library searches; assist in teaching laboratory sections of classes; etc. No one graduate assistant is expected to be able to perform all of these duties.

The Curriculum and Graduate Studies Committee in the Psychology Department selects graduate research assistants from a pool of applicants each spring and fall. With the approval of the Department Chair, the selected students begin their assistantships the following fall semester. Several alternates also are selected in the spring to fill any openings that occur during the academic year due to illnesses, resignations, etc. Graduate research assistants are evaluated each semester by the faculty members to which they are assigned and by the Curriculum and Graduate Studies Committee. If these evaluations are favorable (and if positions continue to be available), graduate assistants may serve in the department for up to 4 semesters (2 years).

Deadline to Submit Materials
To be a candidate for the graduate research assistant position you need to submit the application materials to:

Karen Nunley
Executive Aide, Graduate Program
P. O. Box 87
Jones Hall 104

Application materials due by:
March 1 (Fall semester)
October 1 (Spring semester)

Failure to submit all these materials may jeopardize your chances for being hired.

Required Application Materials & Financial Aid Info
Please compete and submit the following by the deadline date. Students seeking graduate assistantship should complete the following items:

1. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
2. You must complete the MTSU Graduate Assistantship Application
   Please be sure to include a current telephone number and email address on this form.
3. An unofficial transcript from your undergraduate institution(s).
4. If you have received grades in a graduate program, an unofficial transcript from your graduate institution(s).
5. Copy of your GRE scores.
6. A complete VITA.
7. Three letters of reference from individuals noted on your VITA. If you choose to use the same letters from your graduate program application, you must notify Karen Nunley in writing or email ( karen.nunley@mtsu.edu).
8. A cover letter describing the skills you have which are relevant to the graduate assistantship. This letter should including the following:

   a. An explanation of financial need.
   b. Whether you prefer 10 or 20 hour a week assistantship.
   c. List your proposed classes for the next term.
   d. State what hours you have available during a typical week. Be sure to mention your availability for evening class assignments. Be as specific as possible.
   e. Include whether you have outside employment and whether you will be doing an internship. If so, please explain how these will not interfere with your graduate assistantship and your availability.

9. Include your email address if you have one.

Selected students will be notified by the Department. Questions about the status of your application should be directed to James O. Rust at 615-898-2319 or by e-mail at james.rust@mtsu.edu.