Graduate Assistantships

The Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Foundational Studies (CIFS) offers a limited number of full-time and/or part-time graduate assistantships (“GAship”) each academic year, lasting from August to May. We hire both local and distance-based GAs, but any applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident of the U.S.

Any student enrolled in, or admitted to, one of the Department’s graduate degree programs (MACI, MED, MS STEM, EdS, Ed.D.) is eligible to apply for GAship. One can apply for either a full-time or part-time GAship (see differences below).

Graduate assistantships involve working with a professor for up to 20 hours a week during the two 16 week semesters. Two types of tasks will be assigned to the GAs:

Teaching assistantship (TA) work: involves tasks related to the teaching undergraduate or graduate classes; work is assigned by a department professor. These courses are selected based on their enrollments and may include lower and/or upper division courses.

Research assistantship (RA) work: involves tasks related to research projects undertaken by the assigned professor.

Those who are employed full-time should not apply for a full-time graduate assistantship (requiring 20 hours of work per week). The number of hours per week required for a regular job, plus the GA job, plus the time required for coursework, make a full-time GAship untenable for a person employed full-time already. If a person is employed full-time, his or her application for a part-time assistantship (10 hours of work per week) will be considered, but job duties and other obligations will have to be carefully explained in the application.

CIFS graduate assistantships provide an excellent opportunity to:
– gain practical experience on real world projects or online co-teaching with a faculty member.
– collaborate with faculty on research projects.
– immerse yourself in the scholarship of educational technology.
– include your work experience with the department on your resume.

Work Expectation, Pay, and Benefits

Full time GAs work for the CIFS Department 20 hours per week, take at least five (5) credit hours per semester, receive a tuition waiver each semester, and a stipend paid out over two semesters. Full-time GAs qualify to receive student medical insurance provided through Boise State University.

Part-time GAs work for the department 10 hours per week, take at least three but no more than six credit hours per semester, receive a tuition waiver, and a stipend paid out over two semesters. Part-time GAs qualify to receive student medical insurance provided through Boise State University.

Application Process

The preferred application process is for you to email to the respective contact listed in the opening and include your cover letter, resume and academic transcripts (unofficial is acceptable).

Selection Process:

Faculty in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Curriculum will consider the merits of your cover letter and application and make a decision accordingly. The awarding of an assistantship is not based on an applicant’s financial need.

Current Opportunities

Research Assistantship in Mathematics Education: The VCAST project at Boise State University is pleased to announce the availability of a doctoral student research assistantship in the Curriculum and Instruction Ed.D. program starting in the fall of 2018. The position will support a newly-funded research project (VCAST) that involves developing video-based online learning modules for prospective secondary mathematics teachers. The position involves working with the VCAST project team for up to 20 hours a week during the two 16 week semesters. The position is renewable for three years, with the potential to fund for a fourth.

For more information please contact: Jennifer Cichocki (jennifercichocki@boisestate.edu)