Ohio University

Professional Development for Graduate Students

Ohio University - Class Gateway

Professional Development Opportunities for Graduate Students


Ohio University offers many different professional development opportunities. The information below is divided into three categories. To navigate to the beginning of each category,
please click the links listed below.

Ohio University Orientations

  • Graduate Student Orientation (GSO) is scheduled once a year. The 2018 GSO was held Thursday, August 23, 2018. Planning for 2019 GSO are underway. It is scheduled for Thursday, August 22, 2019. For more information, click Graduate Student Orientation.
  • International Student Orientation occurs before each term. For more, click International Student Orientation.
  • Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation is an annual event scheduled the Tuesday before fall term begins. For more information, click Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation.
  • Program/Department/College Orientation - Please consult with your program/department/college about upcoming orientation activities.
Ohio University - Campus Beauty

Professional Development - by Role

Ohio University Graduate Student

  • Thesis and Dissertation Services (TAD) Workshops: Thesis and Dissertation Services offer the following workshops to assist students in preparing and filing theses and dissertations. For more information, click Thesis and Dissertation Services Workshops.

Graduate Assistant (GA) 

  • Ohio University Three Minute Thesis Competition: The Ohio University Graduate College is now accepting registrations of the 2019 Three Minute Thesis Competition. The semi-final rounds will be held Monday, February 11, 2019  AND Wednesday, February 13, 2019. The final round is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

    Competitors have 3 minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance. Competitors must consolidate their ideas and research discoveries so they can be presented concisely to a non-specialist audience.

    For more information or to register, click Three Minute Thesis Competition.

Research Assistant (RA) 

  • Ohio University Three Minute Thesis Competition: The Ohio University Graduate College is now accepting registrations of the 2019 Three Minute Thesis Competition. The semi-final rounds will be held Monday, February 11, 2019  AND Wednesday, February 13, 2019. The final round is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

    Competitors have 3 minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance. Competitors must consolidate their ideas and research discoveries so they can be presented concisely to a non-specialist audience.

    For more information or to register, click Three Minute Thesis Competition.

Teaching Assistant (TA)

  • College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Teaching Programs
  • Creating a Teaching Portfolio for Future Faculty

    Description: This workshop is an introduction to teaching portfolios including a description of the materials that comprise a portfolio, and the systematic steps taken to create an effective and professional teaching portfolio. The facilitator will provide an overview of analyzing and presenting evidence in the portfolio. In addition, participants will connect the artifacts that comprise the portfolio with the teaching philosophy statement and/or teaching responsibilities statement, along with the other portfolio artifacts. 

    Date: Friday, October 26, 2018 
    Time: 2-4 P.M.
    Location: Research and Technology Center (RTEC) Room #303
    Questions: Should you have questions about this workshop, please contact Dr. Becky Bushey-Miller via email at millerb3@ohio.edu or call 740.593.2800.
    To register: Click here.

  • Increasing Student Engagement in Learning: There is ample evidence that shows engaging students in the learning process increases their attention and focus, motivates them to practice higher-level critical thinking skills and promotes more meaningful learning experiences. This workshop will explore ways to engage our students more deeply in their learning, and ways to create a lively, dynamic classroom in which students are excited to learn and have the drive to keep exploring until they succeed.

    Date: Friday, November 9, 2018 
    Time: 2-4 P.M.
    Location: Research and Technology Center (RTEC) Room #303
    Questions: Should you have questions about this workshop, please contact Dr. Becky Bushey-Miller via email at millerb3@ohio.edu or call 740.593.2800.
    To register: Click here.

  • Ohio University Three Minute Thesis Competition: The Ohio University Graduate College is now accepting registrations of the 2019 Three Minute Thesis Competition. The semi-final rounds will be held Monday, February 11, 2019  AND Wednesday, February 13, 2019. The final round is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

    Competitors have 3 minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance. Competitors must consolidate their ideas and research discoveries so they can be presented concisely to a non-specialist audience.

    For more information or to register, click Three Minute Thesis Competition.
Ohio University - Campus in the Fall

Professional Development - by Subject

Career Development

  • Communication Skills
    • Ohio University Three Minute Thesis Competition: The Ohio University Graduate College is now accepting registrations of the 2019 Three Minute Thesis Competition. The semi-final rounds will be held Monday, February 11, 2019  AND Wednesday, February 13, 2019. The final round is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

      Competitors have 3 minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance. Competitors must consolidate their ideas and research discoveries so they can be presented concisely to a non-specialist audience.

      For more information or to register, click Three Minute Thesis Competition.
  • Salary Negotiations

    • American Association of University Women Start Smart Salary Negotiation Workshop: 

      This American Association of University Women Start Smart Salary Negotiation Workshop is
      co-sponsored with the Graduate College and the Career and Leadership Development Center.

      This two-hour AAUW workshop provides students with the skills needed to negotiate their first salary. We appreciate you registering for which workshop you will attend so that we can be sure to provide enough materials for all participants.

      Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2018
      Time: 4-6 P.M.
      Location: Baker University Center 233
      To register: Click here.

  • Teaching Portfolio
    • Creating a Teaching Portfolio for Future Faculty: This workshop is an introduction to teaching portfolios including a description of the materials that comprise a portfolio, and the systematic steps taken to create an effective and professional teaching portfolio. The facilitator will provide an overview of analyzing and presenting evidence in the portfolio. In addition, participants will connect the artifacts that comprise the portfolio with the teaching philosophy statement and/or teaching responsibilities statement, along with the other portfolio artifacts. 

      Date: Friday, October 26, 2018 
      Time: 2-4 P.M.
      Location: Research and Technology Center (RTEC) Room #303
      Questions: Should you have questions about this workshop, please contact Dr. Becky Bushey-Miller via email at millerb3@ohio.edu or call 740.593.2800.
      To register: Click here.

Development for the Researcher (coming soon)

Development for the Teacher

  • Articles
  • Teaching Strategies
    • Increasing Student Engagement in Learning: There is ample evidence that shows engaging students in the learning process increases their attention and focus, motivates them to practice higher-level critical thinking skills and promotes more meaningful learning experiences. This workshop will explore ways to engage our students more deeply in their learning, and ways to create a lively, dynamic classroom in which students are excited to learn and have the drive to keep exploring until they succeed.

      Date: Friday, November 9, 2018 
      Time: 2-4 P.M.
      Location: Research and Technology Center (RTEC) Room #303
      Questions: Should you have questions about this workshop, please contact Dr. Becky Bushey-Miller via email at millerb3@ohio.edu or call 740.593.2800.
      To register: Click here.

  • Resources