Graduate Assistantships

In order to recruit the best graduate students for the faculty of School of Accountancy and Management Information Systems, the School makes available graduate assistantships. These assistantships include

• Tuition waiver for up to three course per quarter (maximum of nine per academic year)
• Stipend currently set at $4,500 per academic year
• Opportunity to work with prominent accountancy and management information systems faculty.

Graduate assistants are required to commit twenty hours per week to school-based service, including assisting faculty with research and/or tutoring, and providing supplemental and lab instruction for select accountancy courses. Graduate assistantships are considered full-time obligations due to typical graduate course load and work expectation.

Students currently admitted and enrolled in a degree-seeking program of the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business are eligible to apply.

All graduate assistant positions for the 2009-10 year are currently filled, but serious candidates should submit an application (or update a previously submitted application) in order to be considered should positions open up throughout the year.

For more information contact Dr. Timothy Lockyer at 312/362-5379 or tlockyer@depaul.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a graduate assistantship?

A graduate assistantship (referred to here as a GA) is a paid position within a department whose duties include assisting the department in various ways. It requires completion of a bachelor's degree, admission and enrollment in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, and presumes knowledge, skills and abilities beyond undergraduate levels.

What are the duties and responsibilities of graduate assistants?

GAs serve as research assistants, tutors or course lab leaders. Course proctoring is also assigned as needed. Assignments are determined upon acceptance of the assistantship. Areas of research in the school include taxation, auditing, valuation, management accounting, management information systems, and more. Research activities vary from data collection, bibliographical research and data entry to analysis of findings and results summaries. Some faculty assign a GA to more classroom and educationally-oriented assignments.

The school provides tutoring services for all undergraduate accountancy courses during the autumn, winter, and spring terms. A thorough background in accountancy coursework is required for this assignment. Some GAs also conduct lab sessions or supplemental instruction for select undergraduate accountancy courses.

Is there any teaching involved?

No teaching expectations are involved.

How much time per week is spent as a research assistant?

GAs are expected to contribute a maximum of twenty hours of work per week. Time is typically allocated among two to three faculty members and/or tutoring sessions.

What is the compensation for a GA?

GAs earn a nine-course tuition waiver per academic year and a $4500 stipend paid over the academic year. Recognition and experience also serve the GAs resume, professional, and personal growth.

Can I hold an outside job while a GA?

It is typically difficult to manage an outside job in combination with GA work expectations and enrollment in a graduate degree program. However, there is no restriction provided that the GA is committed to and fulfills all school-related expectations.

Am I supervised and evaluated?

The assigned instructor(s) per term act as your supervising mentor. As with all academic positions, evaluation occurs quarterly. GAs that work for a two-year period to complete their degree are evaluated for continuation after the first year of service. Continuation to a second year is contingent upon approval.

Do I have to be an accounting major or in an accounting degree program?

An accountancy background is preferred but not required to serve as a graduate assistant. The selection process primarily reviews the applicant's overall skills and abilities.

Does an international student have certain restrictions?

The International Student Office determines student visa status and work eligibility. The School of Accountancy and MIS does not have any role in this area and treats all applicants equally without regard to national origin, race, or ethnicity.

What is the application process?

Graduate assistantship recruiting and selection occurs during the spring quarter. Once a student is accepted to the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, the student may complete the application for a graduate assistantship, available at the Kellstadt Office in DPC 7900. All submitted information is verified through the graduate program office. The student may include any materials that demonstrate background, skills, and abilities (e.g. resume, letters of recommendation, project portfolio, essays, etc.) Students should verify that all contact information is accurate, including mailing address, telephone numbers, and e-mail. Return the completed application to the graduate assistantship coordinator.

Applicants are screened, interviewed, and selected during the spring quarter. All applicants are informed of final decisions as early as possible. Applicants may check the progress of the selection process by contacting the GA coordinator. Invitations are extended by the end of June with a list of alternates in the event that an offer is not accepted.

Contact Information

School of Accountancy & Management Information Systems
1 East Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60604-2287
Phone: 312/362-8770
Fax: 312/362-6208
E-mail: accountancy@depaul.edu