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.  

2025-26 Assistantship Positions

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

• Academic Student Services - Academic Success Programs
• Center for First-Generation Students – Centennial Scholars Program
• Center for Multicultural Student Services: Multicultural Programming/DEEP Impact
• Center for Multicultural Student Services: Student Leadership
• Community Engagement and Volunteer Center
• Office of Residence Life: Hall Director
• Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices (OSARP) - Restorative Practices
• Orientation & Transition: Orientation Graduate Assistant
• Orientation & Transition: Transition Graduate Assistant
• SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression) - SOGIE education
• Student Leadership and Involvement: Fraternity/Sorority Life
• Student Leadership and Involvement: Student Life Programming
• University Career Center: Career Advising
• Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) Office

Positions available in future years

In the fall of their first-year, students can interview to remain in the same assistantship site, or apply for a different position including positions, such as the following:

• Dean of Students: Madison Cares
• Office of Residence Life: Student Learning Initiatives
• Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices: Personal Success
• Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices: Substance Education
• Student Leadership and Involvement: Student Leadership Programs
• Student Leadership and Involvement: University Program Board