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Teaching and Research Appointments

Most assistantships are half-time positions which require approximately fifteen hours of work per week and require the student to carry a minimum of six and no more than ten credits of graduate work each semester. A quarter-time assistant must carry eight to twelve credits per semester. Tuition is waived by the University, but students are responsible for all other fees.

Stipends (half-time) for 2005-2006
M.S. $11,762 (9 month) $1,306.89 per month
Ph.D. $13,946 (9 month) $1,549.56 per month

GRA: Graduate Research Assistantship

Graduate Research Assistantships are offered in most of the departments at the university. The purpose of research assistantships is to provide degree-seeking students with research experience in their academic disciplines while assisting with an ongoing research project. These appointments usually carry a monthly stipend. If the research is included in a student's program of study for a degree, the student must carry an academic load as a full-time student (i.e., a minimum of 12 credits per semester).

GSA: Graduate Service Assistantship

Graduate Service Assistantships are available in several units on campus including the Division of Student Affairs, Computer Center, Continuing Education Division, Athletic Department, etc.  Graduate students are employed in a particular service unit related to their area of academic interest.  Stipends vary with the time devoted to work but usually are comparable to the stipends of graduate teaching assistants.

GTA: Graduate Teaching Assistantship
Graduate Teaching Assistantships are university appointments that provide financial assistance to students qualified for teaching service in the department in which they take the major part of their graduate work. The purpose of these assistantships is to facilitate students working toward their degree while gaining teaching experience in the field of the degree.
 

A NOTE TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS  

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education policy regarding international Graduate Assistants is as follows:  

  1. International Graduate Assistants who are non-native speakers of English are required to take the TSE (Test of Spoken English) and achieve a minimum score of 50 before an assistantship involving either lecture or laboratory assistance will be offered. 
  2. In lieu of the TSE, students whose first language is not English may be appointed as a graduate assistant if they take the SPEAK test (offered at UND) and achieve a minimum score of 50.  For further information on the SPEAK test, you may contact the Counseling Center at 701-777-4157.