Overview
Effective communication is a core competency in any professional field, whether academia or industry. At UC Santa Barbara, we want to empower graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to find their unique voice.
The Fundamentals in Public Speaking certificate provides a way for students and scholars to both develop and demonstrate competency in this area. During Winter 2025, the Graduate Division is offering extensive training opportunities in public speaking that focus on skills like content development, stage presence, and visuals. The workshops center around the development of short 3-minute talks that can be used in a variety of settings such as networking events, entrepreneurial pitches, and Grad Slam.*
The series is open to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in any discipline and at any stage in their program. Attendees can opt to come to some or all of the workshops, but in order to be awarded the certificate, they must complete all of the requirements detailed below.
*Note: While the series is particularly useful for graduate students who plan to present at Grad Slam, participation in the competition is not required. Grad Slam is only open to currently enrolled graduate students. Interested students can sign up here to be a presenter.
2023 Grad Slam Champion Annette Hilton
Certificate Completion Requirements
Students and scholars must fulfill the requirements from each of the 3 parts below.
All sessions are held in person unless noted otherwise. Participants can learn more about each session and sign up to attend via the Graduate Student Resource Center page on Shoreline. Participants are expected to stay for the entirety of each event they are using to fulfill the requirements. Attendees should ensure that they are checked in AND checked out on Shoreline by one of our staff members in order for their attendance to count toward the certificate requirements.
Part 1 | Plan
Students and Scholars must attend
at least 3 of the workshops in part one.
- Leadership for Inspiring Teams (Wednesday, January 22, 12:00-1:30pm) virtual
- Crafting Your Elevator Pitch (Wednesday, January 29, 1:00-2:30pm) virtual
- Planning Persuasive Presentations (Thursday, February 6, 12:00-2pm) In person
- W.A.V.E -- Public Speaking Preparation (Monday, February 10, 1:30-3:00pm) virtual
**Leadership Certificate Series Sessions may qualify as 1 of 3 required workshops from this section.
Part 2 | Prepare
Students and Scholars must attend
at least 1 of the 2 workshops in Part 2
- Data Visualization (Tuesday, February 4, 1:00-2:00pm)
- Design Awesome Slides (Friday, February 14, 12:00-2:00pm)
Part 3 | Practice & Present
Students and scholars must present at one practice session
and/or at the Grad Slam Preliminary Rounds.
Please Note: Grad Slam participants are given priority for presenter slots in Sessions 1 and 2 due to the timing of Grad Slam Preliminary Rounds.
Public Speaking Practice Session 1: Wednesday, February 12, 10:00am-12:00pm
Public Speaking Practice Session 2: Tuesday, February 18, 1:00-3:00pm
Grad Slam Preliminary Round Presentations (various dates)
Please Note: Sessions 3-4 are open for any grad student or postdoc to sign up for a presenter slot.
Public Speaking Practice Session 3: Wednesday, April 9, 1:00-3:00pm
Public Speaking Practice Session 4: Friday, April 18, 1:00-3:00pm
PRACTICE SESSION INFORMATION
- Presenter slots are offered on a first-come first-served basis
- The presentation order for all practice sessions will be randomized
- Each person is only allowed to sign up for one practice session slot each year
Receiving the Certificate
Once participants complete all requirements, they must submit the Participation Verification Form in order to officially receive the certificate. Participants are expected to stay for the entirety of each event, and Graduate Division staff will use check-in and check-out data from Shoreline to cross-reference information entered by participants on the form. A digital copy of the certificate will be issued within one month of completion of the form.
Questions?
Contact Anna Theogarajan, Director of Professional Development for the Graduate Division.