Graduate Assistantships

Teaching Assistants (TAs) support faculty with the delivery of courses and other academic activities while gaining experience in teaching, mentoring, and studio instruction.

Depending on the course and assignment, responsibilities may include:

• Preparing materials, equipment, or studio spaces
• Supporting demonstrations and classroom activities
• Assisting students during class or studio sessions
• Participating in critiques and class discussions
• Providing technical or instructional support under faculty supervision
• Assisting with course-related research
• Giving presentations or demonstrations in an area of expertise
• Helping maintain safe, organized, and productive learning environments

Teaching Assistants work under the supervision of a faculty member and do not independently assume the responsibilities of the instructor of record.

Each semester, Studio Foundation offers several Teaching Assistant opportunities for graduate students. The Studio Foundation curriculum introduces undergraduate students to a range of studio techniques and media, as well as the stages of the creative process—from initial ideas and design through construction, presentation, critique, and revision.

Studio Foundation TAs may help students with class work, support conversations about curriculum, facilities, and equipment, assist with research, and lead demonstrations or presentations related to their areas of expertise.

Graduate Assistants (GAs) provide academic, technical, curatorial, administrative, and operational support across departments, offices, studios, labs, galleries, research initiatives, and events at MassArt.

Depending on the position, GAs may work with undergraduate students, faculty, staff, studio managers, or program administrators.

Responsibilities vary by position and may include:

• Monitoring open studio, shop, or lab hours
• Providing studio, lab, or equipment support
• Facilitating training sessions for undergraduate students
• Assisting with research projects
• Supporting gallery operations, including exhibition installation and deinstallation, promotion, and submission processes
• Assisting with office management, organization, and communications
• Maintaining and updating technology resources
• Supporting events and academic programs
• Creating visual assets for programs, events, or communications
• Contributing to special projects related to a student’s skills, experience, or area of study

Each assistantship is supervised by a MassArt faculty or staff member. Specific responsibilities, schedules, and expectations should be established at the beginning of the appointment.

All MFA (including Low-Residency and DMI), MDES, Graduate Art Education, and MArch students enrolled in a minimum of 9 credits and in good academic standing are eligible to apply for graduate assistantships.

Before the start of each semester, the Graduate Programs Office shares available Teaching Assistant (TA) and Graduate Assistant (GA) positions with current and incoming graduate students.

Typical posting timeline:

• Fall semester: approximately mid-August
• Spring semester: approximately mid-December

Each position listing includes information such as the dates and times needed, course or office name, expected hours, responsibilities, faculty or staff contact information, required skills, and anticipated skills or experience students may gain.

Students typically apply directly to the faculty or staff supervisor for positions that align with their interests, experience, and professional goals. Applications may include a resume, work sample, or other materials requested by the supervisor. Students are expected to have demonstrated skills and knowledge relevant to the position or course content.

In some cases, particularly for upper-level undergraduate courses, faculty may invite a specific graduate student to serve as a Teaching Assistant. In these cases, a separate application process may not be required, provided the position has been approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Once a supervisor selects a student for an approved position, the required appointment documentation is submitted through the Graduate Programs Office.

Tip: Students are encouraged to contact the Graduate Programs Office and their program coordinators for guidance on offices, departments, or faculty that may be a good match for their interests and skills.

Graduate Assistantships are intended to be more than jobs. They provide opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and connection with the MassArt community. Students should carefully consider how an assistantship fits alongside their academic responsibilities, with coursework remaining their primary priority.

Graduate Assistant schedules vary by position and may be flexible from week to week. Students and supervisors should establish expectations for scheduling, responsibilities, and anticipated hours at the beginning of the assistantship.

Most standard Graduate Assistantships average approximately 5 hours per week. A limited number of expanded positions may involve approximately 7–10 hours per week. The maximum number of hours available for a particular assistantship depends on the position and its approved funding.

• Teaching Assistants may support multiple class sections, work on different days, or adjust their hours based on the needs of the position and the schedule agreed upon with their supervisor.
• Assistantship hours do not need to be distributed evenly throughout the semester. For example, a student may work more hours during a particularly busy week and fewer hours the following week, provided the schedule is coordinated with the supervisor and remains within the total approved hours for the position.
• Assistantship appointments generally begin on the first day of classes and end on the last day of classes. Any work performed outside of those dates must be approved in advance by Graduate Programs.

Graduate Assistantships are paid at a rate of $18 per hour.

Most graduate students hold one or two assistantships per semester, depending on their course load, schedule, interests, and available opportunities. Graduate students may not hold more than eight total assistantships over the course of their degree program (with rare exceptions).

Yes. International students may be eligible for paid assistantships, but they must have a valid Social Security Number before beginning employment.

Students who need documentation to apply for a Social Security Number should contact the Graduate Programs Office.

Graduate assistantships are paid employment opportunities and are separate from academic internships or other credit-bearing experiences.

Students interested in internships for academic credit should visit Find an Internship or contact Career Development.

The primary role of a Teaching Assistant is to provide supplemental instruction that benefits the class as a whole and/or individual students. All TA sessions should be conducted in a public location and not in residence hall rooms. The faculty member is responsible for assigning the final grade on each assignment, quiz, and homework (even if the TA marks it first). The faculty member makes all ultimate decisions related to partial credit.

If a disciplinary situation arises, TAs should contact their faculty member. If a student in your class requires additional academic support, please refer them to Academic Resource Center, in consultation with your supervising faculty.

TA responsibilities include:

•       Facilitation of class discussions
•       Participation in critiques
•       Directing peer led team learning
•       Assisting with exam preparation
•       Reviewing and commenting on drafts of work
•       Correcting objective assignments, quizzes, and homework
•       Providing studio and lab support for students
•       Assisting with co-curricular activities
•       Conducting course related research
•       Technical Assistance for Faculty (though this should not be the TA’s primary/sole role)

The primary role of a Graduate Assistant is to provide management, academic, technical, curatorial, and operational support to a range of offices, programs, studios, labs, and galleries at the College. GAs often interact with undergraduate students in campus shops, work with other members of the college staff, and coordinate with area-specific faculty and/or studio managers, depending on the nature of the position.

Examples of past GA responsibilities include:

•       Monitoring of open studio times in campus shops/labs
•       Facilitating training sessions for UG students in campus shops/labs
•       Assisting with office management, organization, and communications
•       Assisting with campus galleries (install/deinstall of exhibitions, promotion, submission surveys, etc.)
•       Maintain and update technology resources
•       Providing studio and/or lab support for students
•       Creating visual assets for marketing of programs and events

Faculty mentor TAs by including them in the teaching and learning process. Some faculty include their TAs in developing the course itself, leading class discussions, supporting special projects outside of class, and providing valuable feedback to students during the semester. Faculty determine how the TA will contribute to the course and establish mutually-agreeable expectations/outcomes for improved teaching and learning in the course.

Supervisors mentor GAs by providing overviews and specific insights into the working processes of labs, shops, galleries, office, and academic programs. GAs are provided with both real-world working experience and thoughtful feedback on their performance and progress.