GRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT
The Center for Academic and Professional Communication (CAPC) provides tools to help students communicate at the graduate level. Some of the programs and services we offer include:
One-on-One Consultations
40 minute appointments with a trained communication consultant on any type of written, oral, or visual communication project. This might include (but is not limited to) assistance with course papers, dissertations, cover letters, grant / fellowship applications, class presentations, presentation slide design, and research posters.
Make an appointment
Specialized Manuscript Support
Specialized support for longer-manuscripts (5,000+ words) above and beyond what is offered through general CAPC consultations, typically available to advanced graduate students and postdocs. All of these consultations will be assigned an advanced graduate consultant or CAPC professional staff who can work with you to provide an individualized support plan.
Examples of support may include (but are not limited to):
- Regularly scheduled meetings with a graduate consultant over several weeks or months
- Personalized manuscript writing plans over the course of a semester
- Ongoing feedback throughout multiple rounds of the revision process
Request specialized manuscript support
Workshops
Workshops on a variety of communication topics catered specifically to graduate students are offered each semester. Past workshop include Oral Presentation Skills, Self-Editing for Style, Writing an Abstract, Research Poster Design, Building Your English Vocabulary, and Academic Conversation Skills for International Graduate Students. The CAPC also offers occasional graduate retreats, which consists of a workshop topic paired with organized writing time.
View our current workshop offerings
Dissertation Camps
These week-long summer camps (typically June) provide dedicated time, space, and support to make dissertation progress. The week also consists of workshops on various topics related to the dissertation writing process and opportunities to receive feedback from experienced graduate communication consultants.
STEM, Social Science, and Humanities camps run 9am-4pm daily Monday through Friday of their assigned weeks. Catered lunch and snacks are also provided free of charge. Registration is limited to 10 participants per camp.
Registration opens in late April / May and will be posted on our workshop registration page. For additional info, contact us at capc@rice.edu.
Writing Groups
STEM, Social Science, and Humanities feedback-based writing groups are available each semester. Each group provides:
- a facilitator (CAPC staff) who can also provide feedback
- a space (in-person, online, or hybrid) to meet and discuss your manuscripts
- opportunities to meet other graduate writers in the same discipline
These writing groups typically meet once a week for 1-hour, taking turns workshopping a member's manuscript. Date and time are determined by group participants. Space is limited to 5 participants per group.
For more information and the latest updates, visit our writing group page.
Communication Courses for International Graduate Students
The PWC offers three academic courses for graduate students who could benefit from improving their English speaking and writing. Each course carries two hours of credit. Students register for these during the normal registration period, through the normal registration process.
COMM 600: Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing for International Graduate Students
COMM 601: Oral Communication Skills for International Graduate Students
COMM 602: Advanced Academic Writing for International Graduate Students
For more information about these courses, see our ESL support page.
Instructional Support
Graduate student instructors, student-led organizations, and clubs can request communication workshops for their group on a variety of topics through our workshop request form.
Additional Support
Looking for something not offered here? Email us at capc@rice.edu