Program Outline
The Graduate Preparation Program (GPP) is a four-week intensive non-credit course offered in person on the main campus prior to the fall quarter, which is open to all current and newly admitted international graduate students. It focuses on English for Academic Purposes (EAP), academic skills, and cultural orientation. The program also provides a foundation for transitioning into the Teaching Assistant role.
The course offers guided support with:
- Seminar-style classroom discussion
- Presentation and oral communication skills
- Information on U.S. classroom culture; roles and responsibilities of faculty, Teaching Assistants, and students
- Critical thinking; using evidence to support ideas
- Research writing; citation; avoiding plagiarism
- Collaborative and project-based learning
A collaboration between the Graduate Division and Global Engagement, the Graduate Preparation Program provides a strong foundation for the U.S. classroom environment and university system, in addition to the opportunity to practice and master the language and academic skills needed for success.
Course Information
Program Components
- Academic English: (1) Oral Communication, (2) Writing, (3) Reading & Research Skills
- Intercultural Workshops (e.g., cultural transition, U.S. classroom culture)
- Teaching Assistant (TA) Workshops
- Grad Life Workshops (e.g., Off-Campus Housing, Santa Cruz Life)
- Social Activities (e.g., social mixer, picnic)
- Capstone Project: Poster Fair
Class Descriptions
Class Schedule:
Classes will run for 90 minutes and will be offered in the morning/early afternoon on weekdays. A full schedule will be shared soon.
Class Descriptions:
- Oral Communication
- This class focuses on understanding and being understood in seminar-style classroom environments, including academic conversation techniques, pronunciation as needed, and using/identifying evidence in a discussion. It also introduces U.S. classroom approaches and student-centered teaching and learning.
- Academic Writing
- This class introduces best-practice in academic writing, including issues of citation, avoiding plagiarism, and written structure in research. It includes staged feedback from instructors and peers in order to encourage a “writing process” and awareness of student/faculty roles.
- Reading & Research Skills
- This class introduces reading strategies, including skimming and scanning, note-taking, and text analysis techniques to improve critical reading skills. It also introduces students to UC Santa Cruz library resources as well as basic research skills. The Reading and Research Skills class serves as the foundation for the capstone project as it is where the project topic is defined and researched.
- Guided study (independent online and project-related work)
- Students are expected to complete additional independent and group work related to the above classes, especially the Academic Project Class as related to the summative projects. This will occasionally involve online resources to encourage learner autonomy and self-guided study.
Eligibility & Program Participation
GPP ensures that international Teaching Assistants have the language skills and support to succeed in the classroom, which will have an additional positive impact on undergraduate student success. Note: Students who successfully complete the Graduate Preparation Program will not be required to take the Versant English Placement Test. For more information on requirements for Teaching Assistant assignments, please contact your department.
Requirement Information
You are required to attend the program if:
- you are offered a Teaching Assistant position at UC Santa Cruz for the upcoming academic year, AND:
- you have not passed the IELTS or TOEFL exam with a qualifying score (26 for the iBT sub-score in Speaking; or 8 for the IELTS subscore in Speaking).
Required students will receive an email in May from our team with program and registration information. Required students are expected to complete registration forms for the Graduate Preparation Program; they are not automatically registered.
You are strongly encouraged to attend the program if:
- you are interested in obtaining (but not yet offered) a Teaching Assistant position, AND
- you have not passed the IELTS or TOEFL exam with a qualifying score (26 for the iBT sub-score in Speaking; or 8 for the IELTS subscore in Speaking).
Program Dates & Costs
Dates: Monday, August 19 – Thursday, September 12
- Students interested in on-campus housing during GPP can move in as early as Friday, August 16, and depart as late as Thursday, September 12 in the early afternoon.
Cost: $1200 tuition *
* GPP is often paid for by graduate programs and departments for new students who were awarded a Teaching Assistant position in their first year of graduate study. New students typically will need to pay for their housing costs, either on or off campus. Continuing graduate students who choose to attend GPP, or new students who were not awarded Teaching Assistant positions in their first year, are expected to individually cover the course and any associated housing costs.
Registration
Registration for GPP and on-campus housing will close on Friday, August 9.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the program schedule look like?
Students will generally be occupied between 9:00 – 15:30 on most days from attending classes and participating in various workshops/networking socials.
The full schedule will be made available to participants in early August.
Is there a remote/hybrid option for GPP?
GPP will only be offered in-person this summer.
How do I get from San Francisco/San Jose International Airport to UCSC?
The UCSC TAPS website has information on getting from SFO/SJC to UCSC. Students who are staying on-campus will have the opportunity to coordinate rideshares with other students. More information will be shared in early August once arrival times have been finalized.
Where can I stay during GPP?
Students can register for on-campus housing and stay in The Village between their arrival date and up until Thursday, September 12 (check out around 13:00). We encourage students to utilize this period to look for permanent housing.
What dining options are offered on campus?
The UCSC Summer Dining website has information about what eateries will be open for students. Students will need to download the GET App in order to load funds and gain access to facilities such as the dining hall. The UCSC Food Finder also lists information about cafes and food trucks that pop up on campus. Students staying on campus will have access to a kitchen facility inside their apartments.
When/where will I pick up my student ID card?
Student ID cards will be available to pick up during the campus tour on orientation day.
Additional Questions?
For questions regarding program content, administration, and registration, contact iprograms@ucsc.edu.
For questions regarding program eligibility or Teaching Assistantships, contact your department.