The Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology typically offers ten to twelve new assistantships each year. We have a total of twenty-five assistants a year.

A graduate assistantship at Ball State University is a contractual agreement outlining basic assistantship requirements. The requirements may involve but no limited to research, teaching, or various wellness and gerontological services and activities. Assistantship are awarded for one year (academic year plus summer semester) and renewable for a second year based on satisfactory academic and work performance. All graduate assistant contracts are contingent based upon performance (both academic and graduate assistant responsibilities). 

Graduate assistants are expected to perform specific staff responsibilities designed to enhance their professional training and contribute to the development, facilitation, and coordination various programs within the Institute. In this respect, graduate assistants become part of the Institute's staff and deliver services and/or programs to various populations in the community. Assistantships may be renewed based on satisfactory assistantship performance.

First-year graduate assistants spend their time becoming acquainted with sponsored projects and activities of the Institute. They work as a member of a specific team, may be assigned individual projects, may plan for future projects, and complete academic requirements. Continuing graduate assistants spend their time coordinating and directing projects, taking part in the planning and evaluations process, and completing academic requirements.

Graduate assistantships are administered through two separate contracts. Once contract covers the fall and spring semesters (15 weeks each) and the other covers the two summer sessions (5 weeks each).  The stipend for the year amounts to approximately $9,900 plus tuition waiver. Graduate students are subject to student designated fees of approximately $850.00 per semester and approximately $425 for each summer session.