General Academic Regulations & Requirements
Graduate Student Appointment Positions
University PoliciesDuration ofAppointment
Duration of Appointment
Although a one-semester appointment is possible, the appointment of a graduate assistant is normally for the full academic year (fall and spring semesters). Summer employment is not guaranteed and will be based on departmental needs.A graduate student may be employed in a graduate student appointment position for no more than six long semesters (3 years) while classified as a master's student.
A graduate student may be employed in a graduate student appointment position for no more than 10 long semesters (5 years) while classified as a doctoral student. Graduate students who pursue both master and doctoral studies at the University of Houston may be employed in a graduate assistantship for no more than twelve semesters (6 years).
For those who are employed in graduate student appointment positions and who are pursuing two graduate degrees at the same level (i.e. two master’s degrees) consecutively at the University of Houston, the time limitation starts over with the second degree. Therefore, a student who graduates with one master’s degree and then pursues a second master’s degree is eligible for up to 12 long semesters (or six years) while classified as a master’s student.
Note: The Graduate Assistant Tuition Fellowship (GATF) time limitations are shorter than the above.