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Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are the primary source of funding for graduate students at UT and are offered by academic departments and administrative offices of the university. An assistantship is a financial award to a graduate student for part-time work in teaching, administration, or research while pursuing an advanced degree. Appointments are normally on a one-fourth to one-half time basis, usually requiring 10 – 20 hours of service per week (see Graduate Stipends). The annual stipend is payable in either nine or twelve monthly installments. In addition to the stipend, Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA), Graduate Teaching Associates (GTAssoc), Graduate Assistants (GA), and Graduate Research Assistants (GRA), with appointments on a one-fourth time basis or higher, are entitled to a waiver of maintenance, tuition, mandatory fees, and differential tuition for the period of appointment. These appointments also include a benefit of health insurance for the student.

For graduate assistantships offered by departments, you will wish to contact your department or visit their website. However, there are often graduate assistantships offered by administrative offices around the university. While there is no central point of contact for information on positions in these offices, some positions are filled periodically in college advising centers, admission offices, residence halls, and other service offices.

Finding a Graduate Assistantship

Graduate assistantships are offered through many departments and colleges. Information concerning these types of assistance can be obtained from the department in which the student plans to study. All assistantships are governed by the Policy for the Administration of Graduate Assistantships.

The Graduate School shares openings for graduate assistantships whenever possible. If you have any openings to post, please submit them through the GRA/GTA Position Announcement form.

UT-ORII Science Alliance
Graduate Assistant
Contact: Shawn Campagna (campagna@utk.edu)
The Science Alliance is in need of up to two graduate student mentors for the 2024 SMaRT summer internship program. Mentors will participate in the planning and administration of the SMaRT program and will be provided with a full 12-month graduate assistantship for their efforts. This position will run from January 1 – December 31, 2024. The graduate student mentors’ responsibilities are expected to take ~20 hours/week for the 10 weeks during the summer. In the fall and spring, the mentors will assist in reviewing applications and planning SMaRT activities. These pre- and post-program duties are expected to take no more than 100 total hours over both semesters.
University Housing
Graduate Assistant
Contact: Lauren Pigott (lpigott@utk.edu)
University Housing is seeking to fill a GA position that involves overseeing the University Housing Special Tours program, planning recruitment events, and overseeing outreach programs. It also manages student content management and tour guide teams, manages internal communication, and supervises project progression. The role also involves managing social media, ensuring marketing and communication expenditures comply with university policies, and maintaining 20 office hours per week.
Engineering Fundamentals
Graduate Teaching Assistantship
Contact: Amy Biegalski (biegalski@utk.edu)
The UT Engineering Fundamentals (EF) Program is seeking qualified candidates for graduate teaching assistantships (GTAs). EF GTAs serve as the primary facilitators of labs for engineering physics, numerical analysis, computer programming and professional skills development. GTAs work with undergraduate assistants to provide an active and hands-on learning environment with small class sections. GTAs are expected to possess excellent communication skills, have a strong desire to work with first-year students, and to be proactive in helping students, encouraging, and enthusiastic.