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Graduate research and teaching assistant education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a graduate research and teaching assistant. Graduate research and teaching assistants usually study chemistry, biology, or mechanical engineering. 70% of graduate research and teaching assistants hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 4,046 real graduate research and teaching assistant resumes to see exactly what graduate research and teaching assistant education sections show.
The most common colleges for graduate research and teaching assistants are the Ohio State University and the Ohio State University.
There are also many online graduate research and teaching assistant courses to help get the education required to be a graduate research and teaching assistant.
What education do you need to become a graduate research and teaching assistant?
What degree do you need to be a graduate research and teaching assistant?
- Bachelor's, 70%
- Master's, 23%
- Doctorate, 6%
- Associate, 1%
- Other Degrees, 0%
What should I major in to become a graduate research and teaching assistant?
Most common colleges for graduate research and teaching assistants
| Graduate research and teaching assistant common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Ohio State University | 7.06% |
| Texas A&M University | 7.06% |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 6.30% |
| Auburn University Main Campus | 5.92% |
| The University of Alabama | 5.53% |
Best majors for graduate research and teaching assistants
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemistry | 14.6% |
| 2 | Biology | 10.0% |
| 3 | Mechanical Engineering | 9.4% |
| 4 | Electrical Engineering | 7.8% |
| 5 | Psychology | 7.1% |
Best colleges for graduate research and teaching assistants
The best colleges for graduate research and teaching assistants are California Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
A graduate research and teaching assistant with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for graduate research and teaching assistants. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become graduate research and teaching assistants.
1. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
2. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
8. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,555
Enrollment
30,360
9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
20 best online courses for graduate research and teaching assistants
Advertising disclosure
1. Psychological Research
This specialization is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in psychology, data analysis, ethics in research, and quantitative research methods along with high school students and professionals with similar interests.\n\nLearners will develop knowledge about the fundamentals of research design for quantitative studies in psychology, analysis of data from quantitative studies in psychology, and ethical standards for conducting psychological research. Learning...
2. Market Research
The Market Research Specialisation focuses on the essentials of research and the research process. This Specialisation will teach you how to use qualitative and quantitative research methods, how to develop and manage a questionnaire development strategy, how to develop measurements, how to collect data and how to analyze and present them.\n\nOnce you have completed this Specialisation, you will have a good understanding of market research including:\n\nEssentials of market research Components...
3. Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint
Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation...
4. Research Methodology
Academic Research Business Research Thesis & Dissertation Report Research Paper / Journal...
5. Uncertainty and Research
This course teaches the fundamentals of scientific research. We approach the research process as a means of systematically reducing uncertainty and demonstrate how conducting a scientific investigation can be posed as an exercise in Bayesian uncertainty quantification. We begin by exploring the scientific landscape to understand the different types of research, where they are conducted, how they are supported, and why each of these types of research is important. We then formalize scientific...
6. Qualitative Research
In this course, the second in the Market Research Specialization, you will go in-depth with qualitative market research methods, from design to implementation to analysis. Week 1: Define qualitative research and how it differs from quantitative research. Explore the various qualitative research methods and evaluate when and how to use them for your research project. Week 2: Design the qualitative instruments necessary for your interviews or focus groups, and plan your recruitment efforts. Write...
7. Introduction to Cheminformatics and medicinal chemistry
Understand the underlying chemistry of drug development and use free softwares to analyze molecules...
8. Complete General Chemistry 20+ hours of lectures & examples
Master General Chemistry in 4 weeks by solving examples & problems! Rahsoft Chemical Engineering Department RAHCH101...
9. Market Research
"Finding the Story in the Data” is the most important emerging capability for market researchers according to GRIT (Greenbook Research Industry Trends) Report 2016. This specialization, designed for learners with no previous Marketing Research experience teaches a comprehensive marketing research approach that will help learners find and communicate the story in the data.\n\nStudents will learn how to initiate a research project for targeted business needs, conduct research through multiple...
10. Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods
Learners discover how apply to research methods to their study of Positive Psychology. In this course, we study with Dr. Angela Duckworth and Dr. Claire Robertson-Kraft. Through an exploration their work "True Grit" and interviews with researchers and practitioners, you develop a research hypothesis and learn how to understand the difference between internal and external validity. You also begin to understand and apply the strengths and weaknesses associated with different types of measurements...
11. Market Research: Dekker's Complete Marketing Research Course
Competitor Analysis, Market Research Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Consumer Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization...
12. Dr. K's Complete First Semester General Chemistry I Course
A Course to Prepare You for College Level General Chemistry...
13. How to Visualize Research Data in Tableau
Publishing research often requires the preparation of visual elements like charts, tables, and graphs to better explain the text in a research report. Creating these elements can be done easily and effectively in Tableau. Using Tableau, large and small data sets can be visualized with precision, creativity, interactivity, and options in Tableau. After taking this course learners will know how to create a table, a geovisualization, and a pie chart. Three of the most common research...
14. Framework for Data Collection and Analysis
This course will provide you with an overview over existing data products and a good understanding of the data collection landscape. With the help of various examples you will learn how to identify which data sources likely matches your research question, how to turn your research question into measurable pieces, and how to think about an analysis plan. Furthermore this course will provide you with a general framework that allows you to not only understand each step required for a successful...
15. Global Marketing Research and Analytics
Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...
16. Qualitative Data Analysis using MAXQDA: Scratch to Advanced
Master Qualitative Research Method, Content Analysis, Grounded Theory, Thematic Analysis and more with MAXQDA Analytics...
17. Research Methods and Statistics: An Introduction (2023 Ed.)
A Primer in Research Methodology and Statistics in the Social Sciences (2023 Edition)...
18. The 16-hour SPSS Pro: Analysis, Interpretation, and Write-Up
16 Hours of Instruction From a 13 Year Researcher and College Instructor...
19. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
Learn the basics of conducting qualitative research. Learn to design interviews, conduct observations, and analyze data...
20. How to Write an Effective Research Paper
Learn how to write award-winning research papers with easy steps. Includes examples and a research paper template...
Top 10 most affordable universities for graduate research and teaching assistants
The most affordable schools for graduate research and teaching assistants are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and new mexico institute of mining and technology.
If the best universities for graduate research and teaching assistants are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for graduate research and teaching assistants.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
6. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
10. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for graduate research and teaching assistants
The hardest universities for graduate research and teaching assistants to get into are California Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some great schools for graduate research and teaching assistants are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for graduate research and teaching assistants based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
7. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
9. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,465
10. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for graduate research and teaching assistants
The easiest schools for graduate research and teaching assistants to get into are The University of Texas Permian Basin, saint martin's university, and d'youville college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a graduate research and teaching assistant without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for graduate research and teaching assistants.
1. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
2. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
3. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
4. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
5. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
6. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
7. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
8. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
9. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
10. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
Average graduate research and teaching assistant salary by education level
| Graduate research and teaching assistant education level | Graduate research and teaching assistant salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $46,082 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $37,710 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $40,314 |
| Doctorate Degree | $47,787 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $38,508 |
Graduate research and teaching assistant education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025