UREC Graduate Assistants are training for their professional career through academic and practical learning. Our Graduate Assistants have been recognized nationally, regionally and locally for their leadership and service and our alumni are now working across the country in campus recreation!
Graduate Assistantship Overview
JMU offers a unique Master’s degree program in Sport and Recreation Leadership – Campus Recreation. Designed and instructed by successful professionals in the field, you’ll gain a theoretical basis for your work and have the opportunity to directly implement and practice your studies in JMU’s nationally-recognized Recreation Department (UREC) as a Graduate Assistant.
Assistantships include enrollment in an academic program and involve 20 hours of work per week at UREC during the academic school year. Graduate Assistants will begin work prior to the start of the school year and the position continues through the end of the academic year. Also included in all assistantship positions are responsibilities related to the supervision and operation of the University Recreation Center and satellite facilities. Some evening and weekend hours are required. All assistantships are awarded annually and may be renewed by mutual consent.
Apply now for 2025-26 positions! First review will take place starting January 8, 2025 and then will continue on a rolling basis until filled. The following GA positions are available:
Graduate Assistant Information
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree, preferably in related field.
- Formal acceptance into the Sport and Recreation Leadership graduate program. Individuals may apply for the graduate assistantship prior to academic admission, however, an individual must be accepted into a graduate program before an offer will be made for a graduate assistantship.
- Preference for UREC graduate assistantships is given to those admitted to the Sport and Recreation Leadership – Campus Recreation Concentration.
Stipend
- Full tuition waiver
- Approximately $10,001 for the academic school year (for a maximum of nine credit hours per semester)
- Professional development stipend ($1000)
- Academic book or dining benefit ($300)
- Professional development opportunities
- Summer employment opportunities may be available in addition to the graduate assistantship contract
Application Information
Part 1: Apply for the UREC Graduate Assistantship.
- Application are accessible on jobs.jmu.edu
- The application includes the JMU Jobs Graduate Assistant Application, cover letter, resume, goal statement (see Other Document #1 on application), and a list of three references.
- You must apply online through JMU Jobs. Click on "login as applicant" click on "search job openings" under the position type drop down menu, click on "graduate assistantship," click on "search," select a UREC Graduate Assistant position from the list, complete and submit application.
- Applications for UREC Graduate Assistantships are accepted on a rolling basis by December and will remain open until filled. Initial review for these positions will begin mid January.
Part 2: Apply online for admission to the James Madison University Graduate School for the Campus Recreation concentration in the Sport and Recreation Leadership Master’s program in the Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management.
- In your Goal Statement (which is a part of your application packet), please make it clear that you are interested in the Campus Recreation Concentration.
- Applications for the Campus Recreation concentration are accepted on a rolling basis starting October 1.
Academic Program
JMU offers a Campus Recreation Concentration in the Sport and Recreation Leadership Master’s program in the Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management. The curriculum (33 credit hours) includes: Facilities Management and Operations, Human Resource Management & Development, Leadership, Programming, Group and Team Research, Theory and Facilitation, Research Techniques, Fiscal Management, Legal Aspects, Internship, Assessment Methods, and College Student Development Theory. Learn more about the program!
Position Descriptions
Graduate Assistant for Adventure & TEAM Programs
The Graduate Assistant for Adventure and TEAM Programs will take on a leadership role in all four areas of the JMU Adventure Program. These areas include our Trips Program, Climbing Wall Operations, TEAM Ropes Course, and Equipment Rental Center Operations. Responsibilities will include training and supervision of employees, risk management, TEAM facilitation, trip guiding, planning and execution of special events, and general program administration. Facility supervision and operational responsibilities for the University Recreation Center and satellite facilities are required. This position reports to the Assistant Director of Adventure.
Graduate Assistant for Aquatics & Safety
The Graduate Assistant for Aquatics and Safety will provide leadership and guidance for the Aquatics (lifeguards, LGIs and WSIs) and Safety (traditionally EMT-B) Staff by: interviewing, orientating, supervising and evaluating all members of staff. This GA will aid in coordinating the Learn-to-Swim Program, risk management for the program and department, developing and implementing special Aquatics programming, and general program administration. Facility supervision and operational responsibilities for the University Recreation Canter and satellite facilities are required. This position reports to the Assistant Director of Aquatics & Safety.
Graduate Assistant for Operations & Student Development (2)
The Graduate Assistant for Operations and Student Development will take on a leadership role in the operations, event management, and student employee training/development areas. The first year of the position is focused on operations and event management and the second year on operations and student employee training/development. Responsibilities also include facilitating and executing student professional development through a series of student leadership workshops, planning and implementation of UREC department-wide student trainings, student leadership meetings, and general program administration. Facility supervision and operational responsibilities for the University Recreation Center and satellite facilities are required. This position reports to the Interim Associate Director for Operations & Assessment.
Graduate Assistant for Fitness & Group Exercise (2)
The Graduate Assistant for Fitness & Group Exercise will take on a leadership role in the Fitness, Group Exercise and Nutrition program areas. Responsibilities will include supervision of student employees, staff training and continuing education, management of fitness & group exercise activity spaces as well as the Demonstration Kitchen, and general program design and administration. Facility supervision and operational responsibilities for the University Recreation Center and satellite facilities are required. This position reports to the Assistant Director for Fitness & Nutrition.
Graduate Assistant for Intramural Sports & Youth Programs
The Graduate Assistant for Intramural Sports and Youth Programs will coordinate team sport officials and site managers training, supervision and evaluation. This GA will provide leadership to the Intramural Sports site manager and officials student staffs. This GA will coordinate selected aspects of Intramural Sports and Youth Programs program planning. Facility supervision and operational responsibilities for the University Recreation Center and satellite facilities are required. This position reports to the Assistant Director for Intramural Sports & Youth Programs.
Graduate Assistant for Marketing & Engagement
The Graduate Assistant for Marketing and Engagement will provide leadership to student marketing employees and has significant UREC marketing project management responsibilities, including the production of an annual departmental video. This GA will promote UREC through engaging with students, staff, and visitors at university events/fairs and through social media. Facility supervision and operational responsibilities for the University Recreation Center and satellite facilities is required. This position reports to the Assistant Director for Communications & Engagement.
Graduate Assistant for Member Services
The Graduate Assistant for Member Services will provide leadership, co-supervision and staff development for the Member Services student staff. Responsibilities include hiring, training and evaluating over 55 student employees. This GA will assist in maintaining and managing the UREC Welcome Center and Equipment Center as well as the University Park Gatehouse. Other duties include assisting with equipment inventory, facility access, locker and towel service contracts, and memberships. Facility supervision and operational responsibilities for the University Recreation Center and satellite facilities are required. This position reports to the Assistant Director for Member Services.
Graduate Assistant for Sport Clubs
The Graduate Assistant for Sport Clubs will take on a leadership role in the programming, scheduling and leadership development of JMU’s sport club program, which includes over 50 clubs and an Executive Council. The GA for Sport Clubs will provide oversight for select clubs (low-risk category) by providing mentorship to club presidents and administration of practice/game schedules and club travel. This position also assists in the hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation for over 10 student staff. Facility supervision and operational responsibilities for the University Recreation Center and satellite facilities are required. This position reports to the Assistant Director for Sport Clubs.
Contact Us
Questions?
- UREC Graduate Assistantship questions can be directed to the Interim Associate Director for Programs.
- Graduate academic program (Campus Recreation Leadership concentration in Sports & Recreation Management) questions can be directed to Dr. Julie Wallace Carr, Professor.
