Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Student Assistantships at CeLTA

This is general information only and details like the number of vacant assistantships could change from year to year. Specific pay rates are updated yearly, set by the university, and accurately reflected on students’ “offer letter” (hiring documentation).

CeLTA graduate assistantships are designed as opportunities for learning and engagement within various areas that an R1 language center affords. CeLTA (and grant-funded projects administered by CeLTA) typically hires several graduate assistants each academic year.

CeLTA operates 3 graduate assistantship lines. Each assistantship has a one-year contract. Sometimes a student is hired again for a second year, meaning that CeLTA may not be hiring for all 3 lines in the spring semester hiring season.

These GAs work closely with CeLTA’s Assistant Director and also with either (a) a designated point person or (b) several project leads on a per-project basis as organized by the Assistant Director. Browse our webpages to get a good sense of the projects we are currently engaged in. Our Graduate Assistants support several of our projects at a time, though each distinct assistantship may have a dedicated focus on 1-2 programs (e.g., National LCTL Resource Center support and MA Foreign Language Teaching support). If you are selected for an interview, you’ll be asked which projects sound most interesting to you. 

You can read more about some of the responsibilities of CeLTA Graduate Assistants (GAs) in the sample job descriptions linked in this folder: CeLTA Graduate Assistantships.

Pay/Benefits 

  1.  Tuition will be covered for up to 15 credit hours during the MSU academic year (fall + spring)
  2. Monthly pay of approximately $2500 per month (as of AY 2023-24; this is revised each year by the university; the final figure will appear on your official offer letter if you are hired)
  3. Health benefits provided by the university

Qualifications/Eligibility

  1. All applicants must be eligible to work in the USA
  2. Must be accepted to or currently enrolled in a graduate program at MSU
  3. Must take at least 6 credits (2 courses) each semester
  4. Advanced proficiency in English in academic and professional contexts 
  5. Experience with language teaching and learning preferred

Additional human resources information will be articulated at the time an offer is made.

Please email any questions to celta@msu.edu

How to Apply for CeLTA Graduate Assistantships

The application process changes frequently based on the needs of our neighboring academic programs; to find out how to apply for an assistantship with CeLTA, please email us at celta@msu.edu.