School of Social Work Graduate Assistantships

We invite you to apply for a Graduate Assistantship in the School of Social Work. Graduate Assistantships (GA) provide students with the opportunity to work closely within the School of Social Work while receiving a tuition scholarship for up to 9 credits, more information and eligibility requirements can be found at EMU Graduate School Graduate Assistantships [LINK].

Graduate Assistantships in the School of Social Work

We have GA positions available for the BSW, MSW, and Field programs within the School of Social Work, see descriptions of the positions below.

MSW Graduate Assistantship Expand dropdown
Job Description: The primary role and responsibility of the MSW Program GA is to assist the MSW Program Director, the MSW Admissions Coordinator, and the Student Services Coordinator with various aspects of the MSW Program. Responsibilities of the role include working with the MSW Admission coordinator in organizing and processing MSW applications; calculating yearly admissions statistics; supporting Information sessions and Graduate School Open Houses; assisting with MSW Orientation sessions; providing direction for and answering questions of those interested in the MSW program; performing and completing tasks assigned by the MSW Director and coordinating, collaborating with, and taking direction from the MSW Director, MSW Admissions Coordinator, and Student Services Coordinator. The GA will support faculty research and participate in other research opportunities as determined in any given year as assigned by the Program Director.
Examples may include research relating to community engagement and student support.
All MSW Program activities are conducted in a manner that meets the NASW Code of Ethics and provides for confidentiality within the program
Desired Skills: Effective interpersonal and written communication skills; engagement skills to connect with students from diverse backgrounds; ability to manage several tasks and complicated information in an organized and timely manner; ability to follow direction and juggle several tasks at once; ability to take on tasks and work independently with an attention to detail; computer skills including Word, Excel, and Access; and a belief in the School of Social Work’s mission.
Characteristics: Flexible; organized; efficient; analytical; team player; self-starter; confidence in computer skills; passion for service to students; ability to perform well with minimal supervision; ease with locating information; and comfort with representing School of Social Work in a multitude of settings across campus and in the community. This GA position requires comprehension of the NASW Code of Ethics and the ability to practice the professional ethics of social work in every facet of the job.
Administrative Tasks: The ability to use computer programs such as Word, Excel and Access. Ability to learn new computer programs as needed. Ability to answer the telephone and help current or future students with questions they may have. Ability to organize and file student information.
This GA position requires knowledge and comprehension of the NASW Code of Ethics and the ability to practice professional social work ethics while in the MSW office.
BSW Graduate Assistantship Expand dropdown
Job Description: The primary role and responsibility of the BSW Program GA is to assist in the School of Social Work (SSW) learning outcome assessment processes, in SSW community outreach (e.g., support of Community Advisory Board, outreach meetings), and in the planning and implementation of special events (such as the Welcome Picnic and Senior Assemblies). The GA will work with SSW student organizations in an effort to outreach to students with a goal of increasing membership. The GA will be involved in other BSW Program activities and projects as needed. The GA will also support faculty research as assigned by the program director.
All BSW Program activities are conducted in a manner that meets the NASW Code of Ethics and provides for confidentiality within the program
Desired Skills: Effective interpersonal and written communication skills; ability to complete tasks in a timely manner; ability to work independently and with minimal supervision; ability to connect with students from diverse backgrounds; advocacy skills; organizational skills, including effective management of appointments, emails, and telephone calls; and the ability to be a team player. This position also requires computer skills including Word, Excel, and Access; and a belief in the School of Social Work’s mission.
Characteristics: Flexible; accountable; organized; team player; approachable; able to manage detailed information; ability to engage students; passion for service to students; analytical; comfort with representing the School of Social Work and the BSW Program in a multitude of settings across campus and in the community; and, a desire and willingness to be trained in areas where development is needed.
Administrative Tasks: Use computer and telephone systems and listserv to communicate with students; write, edit, and prepare BSW Program documents; learn and effectively use different computer programs; document all advising appointments and telephone calls; file management; interoffice communication; and navigate EMU web sites to provide information to students.
This GA position requires knowledge and comprehension of the NASW Code of Ethics and the ability to practice professional social work ethics while in the BSW office.
Field Graduate Assistantship Expand dropdown
Job Description: The primary role and responsibility of the Field Placement Program GA is to assist the Field Placement Program Director and the Field Placement Coordinator with various aspects of Field Placement Program. Aspects of the role include, but are not limited to: coordinating, collaborating with, and taking direction from the Field Placement Director and the Field Placement Coordinator; attending weekly supervision meetings with Field Placement Director and Coordinator; participating in the planning of field placement activities including the orientations; assisting with the assessment piece related to learning outcomes for all field students; communicating with field agencies; helping to prepare placement documents; and maintaining the Field Placement Program data base.
Additionally, the field GA will support faculty research as it relates to his/her own research agenda. Examples may include research relating to alternative field options such as field units, supervision in field settings, and the intrinsic value of the field experience. The GA will also help with grant writing and other research related tasks involving the field program. The GA will have opportunities to develop additional projects in support of student life. All Field Placement activities are conducted in a manner that meets the NASW Code of Ethics and provides for confidentiality within the program.
Desired Skills: Effective interpersonal and written communication skills; ability to complete tasks in a timely manner; ability to work independently and with minimal supervision; ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds; organizational skills, including effective management of an online data base and use of Microsoft Office; management of emails, and telephone calls; ability to be a team player and work with others in the Field Office; excellent proof-reading skills; knowledge of social work systems; and high level attention to detail, and a belief in the School of Social Work’s mission.
Characteristics: Flexible; organized; efficient; analytical; team player; self-starter; confidence in computer skills; passion for service to students; ability to perform well with minimal supervision; ease with locating information; and comfort with representing School of Social Work in a multitude of settings across campus and in the community. This GA position requires comprehension of the NASW Code of Ethics and the ability to practice the professional ethics of social work in every facet of the job.
Administrative Tasks: Use computer and telephone systems and listserv to communicate with students; write, edit and prepare field documents, ability to use ACCESS and IPT data base; Word; and Excel; file management; interoffice communication; and navigate EMU web sites to provide information to students, faculty and agencies.
Additional Field GA responsibilities: The GA assists with the planning of continuing education opportunities for social work supervisors and supports these events with the opportunity to attend all social work workshops and seminars. The GA also collaborates with the Field Office to develop resources and strategies to enhance student success in field placement and the streamlining of the field placement application process. The GA contributes to the Field program’s efforts to maintain alignment with the Council on Social Work Education’s accreditation policies and works with the Field Office to develop new documents and evaluation tools. The GA creates and disseminates field evaluation surveys for students, supervisors, and seminar instructors to assess the learning experiences at specific field sites. The GA compiles the responses and reports the results to the Field Office so that necessary steps can be taken to address challenges in particular sites. The GA participations in policy development and critique regarding field placement policies.
This GA position requires knowledge and comprehension of the NASW Code of Ethics and the ability to practice professional social work ethics while in the Field Office.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying, please complete the Graduate Assistantship Application [LINK] and submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by March 26, 2021. The cover letter should address your interest in a Graduate Assistantship as well as any relevant experience.