Policies Concerning Graduate Assistantships

Department of Technology

Approved by the Graduate Education Committee:  September 7, 2006

 

Goal

            The Department of Technology offers several graduate assistantships each academic year Graduate

            Assistantships provide qualified students with an opportunity to develop their teaching, research, and general

            professional skills while providing support to the Department as it fulfills its teaching, research, and service

            missions.  These assistantships provide graduate students with the opportunity to pursue a graduate degree on a

            full-time basis while interacting with faculty, students and staff in a higher education environment.  Students

            pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Technology Education or in Career and Technical Education will find these

            assistantships to be a complimentary match with their program of study.

Responsibilities

            Four types of graduate assistantships are available through the Department, all of which require 20 hours per

            week service to the Department, including exam week.

            The laboratory assistant supervises a laboratory in one of the Department programs.  Laboratory supervision

            includes providing informal individual or small group instruction to students, maintenance of laboratory equipment,

            and supporting the teaching endeavors of faculty.

            The research assistant supports the scholarly endeavors of faculty within the Department.  These endeavors

            may include grant writing, gathering and analyzing research data, and implementing special projects.

            The teaching assistant teaches undergraduate courses under the direct supervision of faculty.  The assistant

            assumes major responsibilities for organizing instructional materials, laboratory set-up, and other instructional

            support activities as needed.

            The special assistant supports special projects and other assignments.

            In addition, graduate assistants are expected to attend the graduate school orientation conference, Department

            orientation meeting, and any special Departmental meetings.  Graduate assistants are expected to follow BSU's

            Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities and conduct themselves in a safe, productive, and ethical manner.

Stipend

            The assistantship includes a yearly stipend and remission of graduate tuition.  Students are responsible for paying

  contingent and dedicated fees.  Graduate assistants must enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours for each

semester and 3 semester hours in a summer term.  The maximum load is 12 credit hours for a semester or 6    credit hours during each summer term.

Selection

            To be considered for an assistantship, the applicant must:

1. Complete an application for admission to the Graduate School.  Applications are available from the Department of Technology or Graduate School.  Ball State University, Muncie, IN 7306.  Applications are also available from the Admissions page of the Graduate School Web Site at  http://www.bsu.edfu/gradschool

1. Submit original transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work to the Ball State Office of Graduate Admissions and one copy to the Department of Technology.

1. Submit a letter of application to the Department of Technology

1. Submit three (3) letters of recommendation or the placement packet to the Department of Technology.

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The Department Chair will appoint graduate assistants to specific assignments after the candidate has been accepted into the Graduate School and an assistantship contract has been signed.  Placement decisions are usually done mid to late summer with deference to faculty input and the candidate's previous experience, education, and identified interests.

Supervision

            Faculty members directly supervise graduate assistants.  The Department Chair will assume supervisory

            responsibilities in the absence of the faculty member.

           

Evaluation/Renewal/Termination

            Evaluation.  Graduate assistants are evaluated by their supervising faculty member during the 8^th week and at

            the end of each fall and spring semester.  Written comments regarding the student's performance will be

            discussed with the graduate assistant and forwarded to the Department Chair.

            Renewal.  A graduate assistant who wishes to renew his or her contract for any part of the following academic

            year must make such a request to the Department Chair on or before May 1^st of the current academic year.

            Termination.  A graduate student can be terminated from his/her contract with the Department at any time by the

            Department Chair.

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