Graduate assistantships

Students in the M.S.Ed. program gain experience in higher education and student affairs through graduate assistantship or internship positions, full-time positions, and practicum placements. Without this essential practical experience, students would miss out on the opportunity to apply what they are learning in the classroom. 

Applicants who are not already working in higher education or student affairs as a bachelor-level professional must be hired into a 20-hr/week assistantship or internship at UW La Crosse, one of our partner institutions, or another institution of higher education. As part of the admissions process, we arrange interviews for both the academic program and graduate student internship/assistantship roles. Students do not have to submit separate applications for each cohort or position of interest. 

ON-CAMPUS graduate assistant (GA) positions:

  • A graduate assistantship typically consists of 20 hours per week with a 9-month salary starting at $11,517 for the 21-22 academic year. 
  • Per UWL Graduate Studies policy, incoming students must have a minimum 2.85 GPA to be eligible to apply for a GA position at UWL. 
  • Graduate assistants at UWL are eligible for health insurance benefits. For more information, view the benefits at a glance.
  • Graduate positions for 2021-2022 will be announced by mid-January 2021.  Anticipated positions include:
    • Academic Advising (general or college-specific)
    • Campus Activities Board
    • Campus Climate
    • Career Advising 
    • International Education & Engagement
    • It Make$ Cents! (financial literacy)
    • Leadership & Involvement Center
    • Office of Multicultural Student Services
    • Residence Life
    • SAA - Graduate Program Administration

We are not anticipating any new GA positions at Western Technical College for 2021-2022.

PARTNER graduate student internship (GSI) positions:

While the online program was designed primarily for those already working full-time in the field, we also enroll students who are placed in half-time paid internships with our partner institutions. Depending on student interest, we may offer a blended online option for those in GA/GSI positions in Fall 2021.

  • A graduate student internship (GSI) typically consists of 20 hours per week with a 9- or 10-month salary, with pay of $11,000-15,000. Some positions also include housing or other benefits.
  • Graduate positions for 2021-2022 will be announced by mid-January 2021.  Anticipated positions include:
    • Chippewa Valley Technical College (Eau Claire, WI)
      • Student Life
    • UW Eau Claire
      • BluGold Beginnings (anticipated)
      • Dean of Students Office
      • Office of Multicultural Affairs (anticipated)
      • Residence Life (2-3 positions)
    • UW River Falls
      • Residence Life (2 positions)
      • Student Conduct & Community Standards
      • Student Involvement / University Centers
      • Student Support Services (TRIO)
    • UW Stout (Menomonie, WI)
      • Qube (LGBTQ+ Center)
      • Residence Life (2 positions)
    • UW Stevens Point
      • Residence Life
  • Students in Western WI (CVTC, UWEC, UWRF, UW Stout) benefit from additional support from their campuses - with regular virtual or in-person professional development opportunities to create a greater sense of community and collaboration across the campuses.

Students may also find internships in their own local communities. We have had students in internships at Lawrence University, Hennepin Technical College, Hamline University, University of Dubuque, University of WI Platteville, and elsewhere.