Graduate Assistantships provide an opportunity to apply graduate course learning in research, teaching, and learning environments that support faculty research and student learning in and out of the classroom. 

The Department of Education is honored to offer Graduate Teaching Assistantships to support our Teacher Education undergraduate program. The College of Education, Health, and Human Development also promotes assistantships offered by units across the university. These assistantships may be of particular interest to students in the Adult & Higher Education graduate program. 

Students employed in a graduate assistantship work, on average, 19 hours per week from August 1 – December 31 and January 1 – May 20. Waivers are for in-state and out-of-state tuition, up to 12 credits per semester, and available to those students employed in 19-hour per week assistantships. Summer employment may be possible but is not guaranteed. 

Compensation for graduate assistantships varies by the unit offering the assistantship. Please review each assistantship carefully for information regarding compensation and other benefits. 

Department of Education Graduate Teaching Assistants earn $1600 per month (for students pursuing a M.Ed.) and $1800 per month (for students pursuing a doctoral degree) as well as a monthly supplemental payment of minimally $175/month depending on how many semesters you have been in MSU graduate school. Mandatory University Fees and Student Health Insurance costs are not covered.

Only students accepted into an MSU graduate program, who are not otherwise employed by MSU, and enrolled in 6-credits per semester will be considered for a Graduate Assistantship. Students applying for Teaching Assistantships must be available to instruct on-campus, with preference given to those who are available between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm.

If you wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship offered by units across MSU, please click on the position description below and follow the application instructions noted. Finally, please include the email in which you have been offered admission to a MSU graduate program.  

If you wish to be considered for a Department of Education Graduate Assistantship, please complete the Graduate Assistantship Checklist. Email the checklist, a letter of interest (specifying qualification and positions of interest), and a current resume to Dr. Sarah Pennington, Department Head. For new applicants to our department, please submit your checklist, letter of interest and resume after receiving notice of admission from the Graduate School. Positions will be filled based upon qualifications and availability. 

This page provides descriptions and links to a number of assistantship opportunities promoted by or offered through the Department of Education. Review these descriptions or click on these links to learn more about specific assistantships.

EHHD Graduate Assistantships

The EHHD Graduate Assistantship page includes links to assistantships all across MSU.

Department of Education Graduate Assistantships

This Graduate Assistant will oversee the America Reads/America Counts program offered at Montana State University. This is an experiential learning opportunity for undergraduate students to help K-12 students in reading and mathematics. The GA will also have the opportunity to support the Office of Field Placement & Licensure with respect to practicum and student teaching placements and support.  

The graduate assistant will support the numerous outreach activities the Center offers that for current school teachers and K-12 students. Our outreach goal is to increase interest in and engagement with Science Technology, Mathematics and Engineering concepts.  

This course is an introduction to the profession of public school teaching. Topics treated include the nature of knowledge, the development of public education, the training of teachers, the nature of schools today, education policy, and society's expectations of schools. 

This course examines the school-society relationship in the United States and the many issues and variables embedded in this relationship, including equal opportunity, human diversity, ideology, politics and social change. Foundational perspectives (historical, political, social, and policy) will be explored. 

Human growth and psychological development of school age students, to include physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development within an educational, familial, and societal context. An examination of theory and research related to the development, learning and motivation of school age students. Implications for effective classroom teaching will be identified throughout the course. 

Human growth and psychological development of middle and high school students, to include physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development within an educational, familial, and social context. An examination of theory and research related to the development, learning and motivation of middle and high school students. Implications for effective classroom teaching will be identified throughout the course. 

A survey of children's books with an emphasis on their use in K-8 classrooms. Introduces the history and current genres of children's literature, selection criteria, award-winning books, and strategies for sharing books with students. EDU 222 or EDU 223 and sophomore standing are prerequisites. 

This course provides the fundamental concepts of differentiated educational assessment for classroom teachers including the alignment of assessment to curriculum standards and essential understandings, quality of assessment, principles of item construction, evaluation of student responses, interpretation of results, and improvement of techniques.  Graduate Teaching Assistant must hold a teaching license from a state within the United States.

Graduate Teaching Assistant will serve as Practicum Field Supervisor and observe and provide feedback to the undergraduate students assigned to school classrooms to observe children, teachers, and teaching strategies and to co-teach lessons in classrooms. Sections will be specific to grade level 5-12, K-8, or K-12. Graduate Teaching Assistant must hold a teaching license from a state within the United States. 

This course provides instruction in best practices for teacher candidates, which links current theory and practice of literacy instruction in grades K-8. Through experiential learning, students will explore methods and approaches to teaching English language arts. Graduate Teaching Assistant must hold a teaching license from a state within the United States. 

This course focuses upon methods of teaching science inquiry skills, content, and attitudes in the elementary classroom.  Graduate Teaching Assistant must hold a teaching license from a state within the United States. 
This course identifies goals, objectives, and instructional strategies for elementary mathematics. Graduate Teaching Assistant must hold a teaching license from a state within the United States. 

This course identifies goals, objectives, and instructional strategies for elementary social studies. Graduate Teaching Assistant must hold a teaching license from a state within the United States. 

Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) will help generate a community of practice for candidates enrolled in the library media certificate program. This will involve leading class discussions, recruiting and hosting guest speakers, and offering support for the mentor / mentee relationship.  

This position has been filled for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Dr. Sarah Pennington in the MSU Department of Education is seeking a full time Graduate Research Assistant to begin the 2023-2024 academic year. Assist in data collection and analysis, dissemination of research, communication with research partners, developing work plans, and training and supervising new research personnel.

Full Position Description