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Assistantships

3 out of 4 of our full-time graduate students hold assistantships. An assistantship provides a nontaxable scholarship, which is applied to the tuition bill, as well as a taxable salary for carrying out assigned duties.

Graduate assistants work in the labs, clinics, and on the field. Specifically, assistantships are available in the following areas depending on availability and year-to-year needs:

  • Certified athletic trainers
  • Certified strength & conditioning specialists
  • Wellness Clinic supervisors & Exercise specialists
  • Teaching Assistants
  • Intercollegiate assistant coaches (not always available)

How to Apply

To be considered for an assistantship, applicants must have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher. Typically, assistantships are awarded for two semesters and require a commitment of 20 hours a week. In addition, each graduate assistant is assigned to a supervisor. Further information is provided in our FAQ page. If interested, please complete our online graduate assistantship application through the Office of Admission.

Special Professional Certification and Other GA Requirements

Athletic trainers
Certified by start of assistantship. 

Strength and conditioning specialists
NSCA-CSCS certified (or equivalent).

Wellness Clinic Supervisors
Must have fitness training experience and preferably ACSM or NSCA certification.

Coaches
While coaching assistantships are not always available, when we have them applicants should have Collegiate level playing experience or equivalent. Be sure to identify the sport(s) you are interested in. International students may have different certifications or levels of playing experience. If in doubt, please contact the Graduate Program Chair.

Teaching Assistantships
Teaching assistants are assigned to help with more than 1 class or lab. Undergraduate course work in 2 or more of the undergraduate classes or labs is highly desirable.  Courses are: biomechanics, exercise physiology, foundations of exercise science, kinesiology, foundations of strength & conditioning, sport psychology.

Questions?

Deborah King
Graduate Program Chair
Department of Exercise Science and Athletic Training
Ithaca College
324 Center for Health Sciences
Ithaca, NY 14850

(607) 274-1479