As a CAP:IC practice-based graduate assistant, you’ll gain real-world professional experience while pursuing a graduate education. Assistants become valuable and contributing assets to the employers they work for, develop professional networks useful for later employment, and incubate their professional careers.

Benefits
In addition to experiential learning, our assistants receive a stipend amount determined by the sponsoring organization that typically is in the $10-$15 per hour range.  Some sponsors may also provide some tuition assistance.

Assistantship Availability
Because assistantships are sponsored by partner organizations, their availability varies widely. Students enrolled in the master of urban design program receive first priority for available assistantships, although students in other R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning programs may also participate.

You are encouraged to seek out potential assistantship partners who may be interested in participating in the program and sponsoring you. Current employers, previous employers you may have worked for as an intern, or organizations you volunteer with may find the program attractive.

Schedule
Assistantships are granted by semester, and sponsoring partners may elect to sponsor you for one or more semesters at their discretion. During all semesters of an assistantship, you are expected to maintain a full-time course load.

As a graduate assistant, you will be required to work 20 hours each week in a schedule negotiated with your sponsoring organization. As a student, your assistantship will follow the university academic schedule, and you will receive all holidays and breaks scheduled by the university. While you are encouraged to participate in academic and professional development activities such as conferences and field trips, such items are not considered official breaks, and it is up to you to negotiate how to make such time up with your employing organization.

Costs
Students remain responsible for any tuition amount not provided by the sponsor, in addition to certain course fees, technology fees, and health fees. Consult the Graduate School for complete information. You must also secure your own housing and transportation arrangements. The Indianapolis Star is a good place to start when looking for apartments or homes to rent and provides a good overview of many Indianapolis neighborhoods. IndyGo is the public bus system for Indianapolis.

Requirements
To qualify for consideration as a CAP:IC practice-based graduate assistant, applicants must possess an accredited undergraduate degree in an environmental design or planning field. Students must also have either a cumulative grade point average (GPA) on the baccalaureate of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the latter half of the baccalaureate. Applicants must also be accepted into the Ball State University Graduate School. An official transcript and resume are also required.

More Information
Students interested in participating in the assistantship program are encouraged to contact CAP:IC as early as possible. Please contact Brad Beaubien, CAP:IC director.