Assistantships, Lecturers, and On Campus Employment

Graduate assistantships, lectureships, and other on campus employment can provide you with experience in your field of study through teaching, research, and professional training. 

The programs are designed to help students complete their degree requirements. 

The Graduate Division oversees graduate student hiring policies, as well as associated appointment documents. 

Assistantship and lectureship opportunities are posted in Mason JobsHandshake, and on academic department pages. Students can also contact their program directors and/or advisors for assistantship information and opportunities. 

Graduate Assistantships (GA) 

There are three types, defined by the student’s job responsibilities. 

  • Graduate Research Assistant (GRA): A student participating directly in research or research-support activities under faculty supervision. 

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA): A student acting as an instructor under faculty supervision. The student might or might not be the instructor of record. 

  • Graduate Professional Assistant (GPA): A student participating in a non-teaching/non-research position performing work in which they gain experience related to their academic program and that is significantly connected to their fields of study and career preparation. 

  • University Life also posts assistantship opportunities available in their units.

Graduate Lectureships (GL) 

Graduate Lecturers are students who are the instructor of record for a credit-bearing course for no more than 3 courses or 10 credit hours per semester. Faculty supervision is required. 

Assistantship opportunities are posted in a variety of places including: the Mason HR Jobs website, Career Services’ Handshake site, and in academic  departments.  Students may also contact their advisors for assistantship information and opportunities.

Training and Support for GTAs and Graduate Lecturers 

The Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning offers a range of learning and support opportunities for instructors at all levels of experience—including materials designed specifically for graduate students in teaching roles.  

Whether supporting a course or serving as an instructor of record, GTAs and GLs are welcome to request an individual consultation or participate in Stearns Center programs. Check out the Stearn's Center's advice for GTAs

For more information, contact the Graduate Education Manager at 703-993-8912. 

On Campus Employment

Assistantship opportunities are posted in a variety of places including: the Mason HR Jobs website, Career Services’ Handshake site, and in academic  departments.  Students may also contact their advisors for assistantship information and opportunities.

University Life also posts assistantship opportunities available in their units.

University Career Services/Handshake

Connect with potential employers, attend career fairs, prepare for your job search.  Check out Mason's job and internship search platform: Handshake! Graduate students enrolled at Mason can apply for on-campus jobs, as well as off-campus internships, full-and part-time positions, and cooperative education. Graduate students enrolled in the following schools may use career development services located within their individual school: Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, School of LawSchool of Business, and Schar School of Policy and Government

Mason HR Job Listings

Human Resources provides a site to search for assistantship positions as well as student and non-student wage and other Mason staffing classifications.