Author: Michael | Published: August 19, 2026
Graduate school costs can be managed more effectively when you understand how departmental assistantships work. At the University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing, graduate assistantships provide both financial support and academic training. Master of Nursing (MN) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students can access these roles, which combine stipends with teaching or research experience. Doctoral students benefit from guaranteed funding packages, while Master’s students compete for positions linked to faculty grants.
Assistantship Classifications
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)
- Support undergraduate instruction.
- Tasks: running clinical labs, leading seminars, grading assignments, proctoring exams.
- Doctoral students may serve as Principal Instructors (GTA‑PI) for certain courses.
Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)
- Work on faculty‑led research projects.
- Duties: literature reviews, trial data management, ethics submissions, participant recruitment.
- Supports the supervisor’s grant objectives rather than the student’s thesis.
Graduate Research Assistant Fellowships (GRAF)
- Funding tied directly to a student’s thesis or dissertation.
- Classified as fellowship income, not employment.
- Payments are awards, free from payroll deductions at source.
Pay, Hours, and Tax Rules
- GTA/GRA income: subject to tax, CPP, EI, and 1% union dues.
- GRAF income: paid as awards, no payroll deductions.
- Payment schedule: semi‑monthly (10th and 25th), visible in BearTracks two days before deposit.
- Workload limits: 12 hours/week for full‑time roles; part‑time options at 3, 6, or 8 hours/week.
See our Canadian Nurses Foundation Scholarships detailed guide to explore more offers.
Doctoral Funding Guarantee
PhD students (non‑working professionals) receive a minimum of $100,000 CAD across four years.
- Year 1 support: at least $25,000 CAD.
- Built from GTA, GRA/GRAF, scholarships, and tuition awards.
- Students working ≥0.5 FTE in healthcare are excluded from this guarantee.
Duties and Expectations
Teaching (GTA):
- Demonstrating clinical procedures.
- Marking care plans and essays.
- Monitoring online discussions.
- Holding office hours.
- Proctoring exams.
Research (GRA):
- Database searches (MEDLINE, CINAHL).
- Systematic review data extraction.
- Drafting ethics applications.
- Managing transcripts and survey data.
- Preparing posters and manuscripts.
All duties are documented in a Graduate Assistantship Time Use Guideline form completed each term.
Applicants Eligibility Requirements
- MN applicants: GPA ≥ 3.0 (last 60 credits).
- PhD applicants: GPA ≥ 3.5, with prior graduate‑level research and statistics courses (≥ B).
- Must remain full‑time and in good academic standing.
International applicants:
- Valid Canadian Study Permit allowing on‑campus work.
- Language proficiency minimums:
- IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall (Reading 6.5, others 7.0).
- TOEFL iBT: 97 overall (Listening 27, Reading 21, Writing 27, Speaking 23).
- Duolingo: 130 overall, no subscore below 120.
External Awards and Adjustments
Winning major external scholarships (CIHR, Tri‑Council) reduces or replaces faculty‑funded GTA/GRA allocations. This ensures departmental funds are distributed to students without external support.
Application Checklist
- Official transcripts.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting nursing experience and publications.
- Three reference letters (two academic, one clinical supervisor).
- Supervisor agreement (mandatory for thesis‑based MN and PhD).
- Statement of intent outlining research interests.
- Proof of English proficiency (if applicable).
- Proof of RN licensure for practice‑focused streams.
Steps: How to Start Your Application
- Find a Supervisor: Use the Faculty of Nursing researcher directory. Contact potential supervisors with your CV, transcripts, and research summary. Secure written agreement before applying.
- Submit Application: Apply through the University of Alberta Graduate Student Fees and Funding page. Upload all required documents and pay the fee.
- Indicate Funding Needs: Mark your interest in assistantships in the page. Doctoral applicants are automatically considered for guaranteed funding.
- Complete Prerequisites: Admitted students must finish the Indigenous Canada course before classes begin.
- Review Offer: Check your assignment letter for GTA/GRA details, weekly hours, and stipend amount.
Kindly Visit the University of Alberta Official Website for more information.
To explore related scholarship opportunities, see Harvard Medical Financial Scholarship and University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Awards detailed guides.
Disclaimer: This guide is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Scholarship amounts, eligibility rules, and assistantship details may change at any time. Applicants should confirm the latest requirements directly with the University of Alberta before applying. Suretripacademia does not provide financial, legal, or immigration advice.