GA Question

[schoolpsy15]

Hi All,

 

I posted this question in the school psych forum, but think it may be more appropriate here. Hopefully someone can help me out!

 

 I was offered a grad assistantship, tuition waiver plus stipend for a program. I plan to accept, but I am wondering about when I learn more about what the assistantship entails. I understand I will be working about 20 hours per week for the school psych dept or another dept on campus that partners with school psych, but when will I learn more about this role/which department I will be working for? I have been asked to sign a paper accepting the offer of admission and email it back. Can I ask this question then or do I just need to be patient and I will learn more along the way? Also, when do assistantships typically start? Before the school year?

 

Thanks in advance!

[diamedic17]

I'm not sure how it works for Psych but I imagine its similar to Bio. Most likely you will be a research assistant, or teaching assistant. Research means you basically work in a lab (toward your dissertation) and teaching means you have to help teach courses while working towards your PhD. In Psych you may also have to hold sessions with patients if that is the program you are trying to enter. I'm not terribly sure though on that end.

 

It is absolutely acceptable to ask about the details of the assistantship before accepting. If there is something in there you don't want to do then you obviously wouldn't want to accept it if it is something you wouldn't be happy with.

 

Good Luck!!

[gnarls_barkley]

I agree that you should ask for details. Given the you said it's a GA, and not specifically RA/TA, that could mean any number of things. I've heard of GAs being assigned to do general admin/office work. Nothing wrong with that, as it pays the bills, but you gain more relevant experience if you're an RA/TA.

[schoolpsy15]

Thank you both for your input!