We recommend connecting with your department to discuss the nuances of writing in your field of study and opportunities to engage with the scholastic community. However, the UCSB Writing Program hosts a variety of courses throughout the year, including some graduate student classes to help students improve their writing communication. You can find a list of current and previous offerings on their website. Some upcoming 2026 - 2027 graduate writing courses with Dr. Katie Baillargeon include:

Fall 2026: Writing 280AA. Intro to Grad Writing Expectations. Mondays, 1 - 3:50 pm, Room 1432, South Hall
Graduate students who would like to develop their writing skills will have the opportunity to practice drafting and revising a variety of advanced writing assignments common to the graduate experience. Students will first study the rhetorical features associated with various advanced graduate writing genres before producing disciplinary-specific versions of these texts. Email baillargeon@ucsb.edu for an add code.

Winter and Spring 2027: Writing 282. Thesis and Diss Structured Writing Community. Date, Time, and Location Forthcoming!
Graduate students who have produced at least one chapter of their thesis or dissertation and who must still complete at least one more chapter will be provided with writing instruction, individual feedback, and writing time to complete their thesis/dissertation. Only advanced graduate writing will be drafted and considered in this course. Email baillargeon@ucsb.edu for an add code once classes are listed.

Every spring, the Professional Development Office hosts a workshop featuring panelists who have successfully obtained various grants and fellowships. You can find a list of all upcoming programs on Shoreline and be sure to check out the Weekly Newsletter that's delivered to your inbox every Monday during the academic year. Not receiving the newsletter? Contact our team at gsrc@graddiv.ucsb.edu

We also recommend that you consult with your advisor in your department about different opportunities and approaches to these awards. 

There are a variety of opportunities around campus and in the local community. The Professional Development Unit hosts opportunities to practice during the academic year, including Lunch and Learns and the annual Grad Slam competition. The UCSB Library also has a Presentation Practice Room where you can sign up for a time slot to work on your speech. We also list some local opportunities, such as Toastmasters, on this page.

We always recommend consulting with your dissertation chair and committee about the requirements surrounding the dissertation process. The Dissertation Write-In, hosted by Katie Baillargeon, is a summer writing program designed to help Ph.D. candidates (ABD) make meaningful progress on their dissertations. These free, four-day writing retreats provide dedicated writing time, structured accountability, and a supportive scholarly community. The MultiCultural Center also hosts free writing sessions for graduate students who would like to write in community with others. As you near completion with your dissertation, you can also consult with the Graduate Division's Academic Services team regarding final formatting and submission.

While our unit does not assist with research statements or other subject-specific application documents, Maya Hargens, the Assistant Director of Graduate Career Services, is available to assist with cover letters, CVs, and resumes. You can make an appointment with her on Handshake.