The JMU CSPA program is focused on experiential meaning-making opportunities which are primarily fostered through our 20 hour per week assistantships. These professional experiences provide students with rich material to make sense out of theories and course content. Students are also supported in applying course material to their assistantship work. Plus, assistantships offer students opportunities for mentorship and collegiality.

All full-time CSPA students hold an assistantship which provides an in-state or out-of-state tuition waiver (that is, a student’s assistantship covers the cost of tuition for each of the four semesters) and also provides a modest stipend. The majority of assistantships are in the Division of Student Affairs with opportunities in other divisions, as well.  

2026-27 Available Assistantship Positions

Applicants interview for their first-year assistantship when they participate in admissions interviews.

• Center for First-Generation Students – Centennial Scholars Program
• Center for Multicultural Student Services (CMSS) - Student Leadership & Mosaic Connections
• Center for Multicultural Student Services (CMSS) - DEEP Impact
• Center for Multicultural Student Services (CMSS) - Student Leadership & Intercultural CGreek Council 
• Center for Multicultural Student Services (CMSS) - Well being & Aaffirming supportSupport
• Community Engagement and Volunteer Center
• Dean of Students – Rebound and Learning Success Strategies
• Orientation & Transition - Orientation Programming
• Residence Life - Hall Director
• Residence Life - Student Learning Initiatives
• Student Leadership and Involvement - Campus Programming
• Student Leadership and Involvement - Student Leadership Programs
• Student Leadership and Involvement - Student Organization Development
• Student Leadership and Involvement - Student Organization Management
• Student Leadership and Involvement - University Program Board 
  

Positions available in future years

In the fall of their first-year, CSPA students apply for their 2027-28 assistantship. Students will be able pursue roles such as the ones listed below as well as many of the assistantships listed above. In addition, students can interview to remain in the same assistantship.

• Academic Success Program - Academic Affairs
• Dean of Students - Madison Cares
• Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices - Personal Success Programs
• Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices - Restorative Practices
• Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices - Substance Education Programs
• Orientation & Transition - Orientation Student Staff
• Student Life - Fraternity/Sorority Life
• University Career Center - Career Advising
• Vice President of Student Affairs