Ohio State Graduate Assistantship 2027 | How to Apply
Ohio State University’s Department of Recreational Sports is hiring Graduate Assistantship for 2027-29, and this is one worth looking at if you’re already eyeing a Master’s in Sport Management or Higher Education and Student Affairs at Ohio State. Four positions are open across three areas: Competitive Sports (two spots), Facility Operations, and Outdoor Facility Operations, and each one comes with a monthly stipend plus a full tuition waiver that covers in-state, out-of-state, and international tuition alike.
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What makes this different is that you can’t just apply for the GA role on its own; you have to be admitted into one of two named graduate programmes at Ohio State first, and Rec Sports has made it clear they won’t review materials from any other programme or degree. So before applying, check that the Sport Management or HESA programme actually fits what you want to study.
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Ohio State Graduate Assistantship Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Recreational Sports Graduate Assistantship, The Ohio State University |
| Host Country ⇒ | United States |
| Study Level ⇒ | Masters |
| Benefits ⇒ | Monthly stipend (~$2,682) + full tuition waiver (in-state, out-of-state, and international) |
| Funded By ⇒ | The Ohio State University, Department of Recreational Sports |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | All nationalities — tied to admission into a specific OSU graduate programme, not nationality |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | Priority deadline: November 1, 2026 (applications accepted after, but reviewed with lower priority) |
About the Positions
There are four Graduate Assistant openings for the 2027-29 cycle, spread across three programme areas:
- Competitive Sports (two positions) — supports more than 60 sport clubs with over 2,400 participants, plus more than 40 intramural leagues and events serving over 1,800 teams a year. You’ll help supervise, onboard, and train student employees, coordinate competitions and events, manage scheduling, and serve as a main point of contact for clubs and participants.
- Facility Operations (one position) — supports daily operations at the Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC), a 565,000-square-foot facility serving more than 100,000 participants a year. Duties include student staff supervision, developing training and certification programmes, assessing student learning, and helping manage spaces like the fitness areas, wood courts, racquetball and squash courts, and the demonstration kitchen.
- Outdoor Facility Operations (one position) — supports Ohio State’s outdoor recreation spaces and the indoor tennis center, covering student staff supervision, training programmes, event planning, and keeping these spaces safe and well-run for the campus community.
Full position descriptions are available on request from Kolby Carothers, Student Staff Training Specialist, at [email protected].
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Ohio State Graduate Assistantship Eligibility Requirements
- You must apply to either the Master of Science in Kinesiology, Sport Management programme or the Master of Arts in Educational Studies, Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) programme — these are the only two eligible routes.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for admission into graduate school at Ohio State.
- Rec Sports is explicit that it is not currently accepting materials from applicants to any other programme or degree — so if your intended Master’s is outside these two, this particular assistantship isn’t for you.
About the Graduate Programmes
Sport Management: This Master’s programme is internationally recognized and prepares students for careers like facility management, sport marketing, athletic administration, and coaching at all levels of sport. Coursework covers leadership, legal issues in sport, event planning, facility management, and sport marketing principles.
Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA): This programme prepares graduate students to become leaders at colleges and universities, through coursework in college student development, leadership, and organizational theory. It also offers elective flexibility, letting students explore sport management, exercise science, and related areas alongside their core HESA training.
What You Can Benefit
- A monthly stipend of approximately $2,682
- Full tuition waiver, covering in-state, out-of-state, and international tuition
- Nine-month appointment terms, with GAs expected to serve for two years
- Possible (but not guaranteed) summer employment
How to Apply for the Ohio State Graduate Assistantship
- Confirm you’re applying to (or already admitted into) either the Sport Management or HESA graduate programme at Ohio State.
- Submit the official Rec Sports Graduate Assistant Application online.
- After submitting the online application, email a cover letter and resume directly to Kolby Carothers at [email protected].
- Do not apply through bluefishjobs.com — applications submitted there will not be reviewed.
- Be ready for a background check if you’re selected as a final candidate.
Application Deadline
Priority is given to applications received by November 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for this GA position without applying to a specific graduate programme?
No. You must apply to either the Sport Management or HESA Master’s programme at Ohio State — Rec Sports does not review applications from any other programme or degree.
Is November 1, 2026 a strict deadline?
No, it’s a priority deadline. Applications are still accepted after that date, but those received by November 1 get reviewed first.
Does the tuition waiver cover international students?
Yes. The full tuition waiver covers in-state, out-of-state, and international tuition.
Is summer employment guaranteed?
No. Summer employment may be available, but it isn’t guaranteed as part of the assistantship.
Should I apply through bluefishjobs.com?
No. Applications submitted through bluefishjobs.com will not be reviewed — use the official Rec Sports Graduate Assistant Application instead.
Disclaimer: All assistantship details, deadlines, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of October 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly with the Ohio State University Department of Recreational Sports before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with The Ohio State University.
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