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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 a graduate assistantship, applicants must have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher. Typically, graduate assistantships are awarded for two semesters and require a commitment of 20 hours a week. Graduate assitantships include a taxable salary for the hours worked each week and a partial tuition waiver.  Typically we are able to offer 50% tuition waiver and $12,800 for two semesters work at 20 hours a week for 15 weeks each semester.  Further information is provided in our FAQ page. To apply, indicate your interest in applying for a graduate assitantship during your application to our graduate program.  You must be admitted to the Exercise and Sport Sciences graduate program to be considered for one of our graduate assistantships.

Graduate Assistantship Qualifications & Special 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