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Graduate School

Graduate Assistantships (TA/RA) – Student Information

This webpage provides general information for graduate students holding Teaching Assistant (TA) or Research Assistant (RA) positions, with an emphasis on required FERPA training for Teaching Assistants and general graduate assistantship contract information. 

Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant policy can be found in the .

General Graduate Assistantship Contract Information

Graduate assistantships are distributed at the department level. Departments determine appointments based on program needs, funding availability, and student eligibility. Assistantship contracts are entered into the university system on a semester-by-semester basis.

Minimum stipend rates for graduate assistantships are outlined in the collective bargaining agreement for the Graduate Employee Union of the ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú (GEU). These minimum rates may change based on negotiated agreements. Students should consult their appointment letter and the official GEU contract for current minimum rates and terms of employment.

GEU Collective Bargaining Agreements:  

Any additional charges beyond tuition are covered only at the discretion of the department. In general, graduate assistants should expect to pay university fees, health insurance, and other required costs.

Who Needs FERPA Training?

Any graduate student serving as a Teaching Assistant (TA or GTA) must complete Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) training before performing instructional duties or accessing student records.

How to Complete FERPA Training

  1. Open the and select “Log in Through My Organization.”
  2. Enter “ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú,” then select “Continue to SSO Login/Instructions.” Log in using your NetID and password.
  3. Select the “My Courses” tab, then choose “View Courses.”
  4. Scroll to “Learner Tools for ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú” and select “Add a Course.”
  5. In Question 2, select the first option for “Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).” Submit the selection.
  6. Complete the FERPA training. A Certificate of Completion will be issued at the end.
  7. Save the certificate and submit it to your instructor or supervisor as proof of completion.

Note: If FERPA training was completed more than two years ago, the completion may not appear on the official FERPA Training Completion List.

How to Obtain Your FERPA Completion Certificate

  1. Open the , select the Log in Through my Organization option, enter ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú in the text box, select the Continue To SSO Login/Instructions button, then log in with your NetID and password.
  2. Select the My Records Tab, locate the CITI Health Information Privacy and Security (HIPS) - Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) section and select to View-Print-Share your completion record. 
  3. Select the View/Print button in the Completion Certificate section, then send your Completion Certificate to your instructor

Additional Notes

Graduate Research Assistants (RAs) generally do not need FERPA training unless their role involves access to student educational records. Always follow your department’s instructions, your appointment letter, and refer to the Graduate School and GEU agreement for official policies, rates, and employment terms.