Writing Classes and Groups

The Fall 2025 class “Dissertation Writing: Navigating the Dissertation Journey” is now open for enrollment. The class helps students complete a major portion of their dissertation (e.g., dissertation proposal, chapters, etc.). Students will reflect on writing conventions for dissertations in their disciplines, map out their dissertation plan for the semester, and work to build healthy writing habits while making progress towards their goals. The course helps students advocate for their ideas, relationships, and timelines in the dissertation process.    
 
GRAD 696 – 002: Dissertation Writing    

• Days & Times: Tues/Thurs, 11:00 AM – 12:15 AM    
• Location: Tuesday is in person (ILC 119), and Thursday is on Zoom
• Prerequisites: We ask that students complete their comprehensive exams prior to enrolling in the class.     
• Go to https://schedule.arizona.edu and search for “Grad” and then find “Grad 696 - Special Topics Seminar”   
• Enroll for the class in UAccess Student 
   

What have previous students said about the class? 

• "I would go so far as to say this should be a required course for doctoral students. It's truly so helpful and the advice given is so valuable that I wished I had learned it sooner!"
• "The comradery among students made the class a safe space to discuss the ups and downs of completing a PhD."
• "I loved this course. I plan on repeating it again a few more times."
• "I took this course specifically to help me continue working on writing my dissertation proposal. The course structure and faculty helped me achieve my goal. I will highly recommend this course to other students."
• "Thank you for creating a supportive and productive space. This course helped me strengthen both my writing process and confidence."

Summer dissertation writing groups involve:

• A mandatory two hour orientation/training for all attendees at the beginning of the summer.
• Attending sessions twice a week, one is a writing session and the other is a peer review session or a workshop on a dissertation-related skill. 

Have questions? Want help creating your own writing group? Email our team members to let us know. We are excited to support you in achieving your writing goals. 

Previous Graduate Writing Groups

Note: Graduate Writing Groups prior to Fall 2024 were month-long writing communities that provided support and accountability as students pursued their writing goals. Participants committed to the following activities:

• Attending a two-hour planning session to refine the month’s writing goals  
• Meeting with a peer writing consultant once during the month to discuss writing and/or the writing process
• Participating in at least one Writing Efficiency Session each week
• Attending a weekly one-hour group meeting to discuss the previous week’s achievements and the subsequent week’s goals