Graduate Assistantship (GA) Orientation
Congratulations on your assistantship with Western Michigan University!
We are proud to have you as a member of the WMU community, where teaching, research and scholarship are central to the mission of our institution. The Graduate College, the Graduate Student Association (GSA), graduate faculty, advisors and staff are all committed to supporting your success and creating a community that is welcoming, respectful and inclusive.
At Western Michigan University approximately 20% of graduate students are on a Graduate Assistantship (GA) appointment and serve many important roles at the university. Holding a GA position provides an excellent opportunity for professional development in that you gain new skills that enhance your academic work, build valuable work experiences and develop your career network, in addition to having the financial support that comes with the appointment.
We have three types of Graduate Assistantships:
1. Research Discovery Assistants (RDs) are research assistants who perform duties related to research and scholarship for their appointment.
2. Research Application Assistants (RAs) includes all other professional work in the unit accepted as appropriate and germane to the student’s educational goal.
3. Teaching Assistants (TAs) serve in a role related to teaching; some are instructors of record (meaning they are the one primarily responsible for a course); some are instructors of lab sections; and some assist the instructor in some support capacity (such as grading or holding discussion sessions). TAs are part of the Teaching Assistants Union.
Graduate Assistantship (GA) Orientation
To support and familiarize all newly appointed Graduate Assistants with their role and responsibilities, the WMU Graduate College requires you complete Graduate Assistantship (GA) Orientation, as well as type of appointment type specific training (RD, RA, or TA), and department-level training, if available. Please click the menu below based on the type of appointment you have been assigned to review the training requirements.