academic writing course for phd students online

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Academic writing

Resources designed to support postgraduate level academic writing skills: Writing Up Qualitative Research independent study course.

Writing up qualitative research

This independent self study pack is aimed at Postgraduate Researchers working on a qualitative thesis who have completed their data collection and analysis and are at the stage of writing up.

Note: this self-study pack was written in 2013 so is not an expecially up-to-date resource, but it may still contain helpful general information.

The units available for download are:

Writing up: course introduction (PDF - 3 pages)

Unit 1: structure and introduction (PDF - 13 pages)

Unit 2: literature review (PDF - 15 pages)

Unit 3: methodology (PDF - 9 pages)

Unit 4: data chapters (PDF - 17 pages)

Unit 5: the final chapter (PDF - 19 pages)

Unit 6: the first few pages (PDF - 9 pages)

Independent study notes (PDF - 11 pages)

This article was published on 2024-02-26

Introduction to Graduate Writing

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Course Description

Improve your writing skills for graduate school success: the introduction to graduate writing online course is ideal for international scholars.

For international students attending a Master’s or Doctoral (Ph.D.) program in the U.S., communicating through writing and presenting research are required skills, whatever the discipline.

Offered through the University of San Diego’s English Language Academy, Introduction to Graduate Writing is an online graduate-level writing course that provides international scholars with the background, instruction, and practice needed to successfully write research papers.

Who is the Graduate Writing Skills Course For? 

Introduction to Graduate Writing is designed for non-native, English-speaking international students who wish to prepare for the rigors of writing research papers in a graduate-level academic program at a U.S. college or university, but who prefer to do so in an online, asynchronous format. Even though others may also benefit from this course, it is primarily geared toward international scholars with an advanced proficiency in English.

Course Details

Course Format: This course is offered in an asynchronous, online format.

Curriculum: This course is offered to you as a fully online, self-paced and self-directed learning experience. 

Instructors:  USD faculty, experienced in online teaching techniques, provide a stimulating online learning environment.  All instructors hold a Master's degree or higher.

Program Requirements: Advanced level of English proficiency.

Course Options

What you will learn.

Our graduate-level writing skills course is laser-focused on teaching participants how to write academic essays, specifically research papers. To get the most out of the course, students should already have solid writing skills and be ready to take the next step.

Introduction to Graduate Writing will cover:

• The style and language of graduate writing
• Understanding genre (form, content, and style of writing)
• Conducting research and evaluating sources
• Understanding APA style, commonly used in academic writing
• Writing with sources and attribution
• Synthesizing sources/annotating a bibliography

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

The Professional and Continuing Education program nurtures key partnerships on the local, national, and international level. The goal is to better serve working professionals who seek to enhance or build their careers and help achieve their highest value and potential. Contact us today to learn more.

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Learning Method Information

Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational.

Online Self-Paced

Our online self-paced courses are similar to online fixed-date courses, but are designed to give you a six-month period from time of enrollment to complete all assignments. Your instructor will provide feedback via written responses on your assignments and exams. Grades are based on completed projects, assignments and exams.

How is the self-paced course structured? Like fixed-date courses, online self-paced courses are asynchronous meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime; the difference being there are no assigned due dates in self-paced courses. The content is divided into learning modules. Each module will cover one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:

• Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
• Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, websites, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
• Assignments (which may include: written assignments, quizzes, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
• Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
• Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.

Key Benefits of English Language Academy Courses

Dynamic, practical language skills.

Our individualized, skill-based placement system stimulates dynamic learning for students of varying levels of language proficiency with instruction that is tailored to their unique needs.

Sense of Community

Our faculty and staff engage students from around the globe in an enriching, high-quality educational experience where they also build friendships that help stimulate academic success.

Invested in Your Success

Our mission is to help each student thrive while developing the English language skills that position them to achieve personal, professional and academic goals.

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• Doctoral students

Academic writing for doctoral students

Academic writing courses, writing provision linked to the esa, before the early stage assessment* (esa).

Preparation for Academic Writing  helps those who score level 1 on DACR A1  reach the level required to start Academic Writing 1.

Academic Writing 1  and  Academic Writing 2  are sequential core courses to help those who score level 2 on DACR A1 prepare for writing the ESA report.

Academic Writing 1&2 (Condensed)  is a fast-track, condensed course for those who score level 3 on DACR A1 to develop their academic communication before the ESA. 

After the Early Stage Assessment (ESA)

Improving Academic Writing is an opportunity for guided and targeted writing support to enable those scoring level 1 or 2 on DACR A2 to work on their writing and boost their progress.

To better understand how our writing provision ties in with the doctoral milestones, please  refer to this flowchart .

‌* Please note that because these courses are progressive, you can only take 1 of them per term.

Writing provision available in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd year.

Advanced Academic Writing  is for those with a high level of language proficiency, and focuses on effective communication at research level. This course is suitable for those whose priority is practising and improving their academic STEMM writing in general.

Writing a Successful Research Paper is for those who are at the stage of writing papers for publication. This series of sessions specifically focuses on training you to use research papers in your own field as input to create effective writing models and identify relevant language features.

In collaboration with the Graduate School, the  Thesis Writing Retreat provides a focused opportunity to make major advances in writing the doctoral thesis in a supported, structured environment.

Other writing opportunities

Improve your writing through self-study

Learn how to produce effective lab reports, literature reviews, research papers, and more.

Make progress on your writing in guided sessions

Take advantage of our opportunities for peer writing and discussion, with guidance from a CfAE coach.

Receive 1:1 advice on your writing

Discuss strategies for improving your writing with a CFAE coach.

Please note that the Chemistry building on the College's South Kensington campus ( see A3 on this map ) has spaces designed for self study. Level 4 has silent study spaces and Level 5 has independent learning spaces. If you are on campus, you may wish to benefit from these for our self-study learning blocks and our online courses and 1:1 sessions.

The Business School requests that their students and staff contact their  Global Skills Development team  about their equivalent to the Centre for Academic English provision. 

GSPDP 320: Academic Writing for Graduate Students

This course provides graduate students with formal instruction in the genres and mechanics of academic writing at the graduate and professorial level. Through presentations, readings, discussion, and weekly peer editing, graduate students will develop writing and editing skills necessary for their success as graduate students and future faculty.

Course Goals

• to familiarize graduate students with the different genres of academic writing (e.g., seminar papers, journal articles, books, grant proposals, dissertation prospecti, etc.) and how these genres vary from discipline to discipline;
• to help graduate students become better writers by analyzing writing on both the micro (sentence) and macro (organizational) levels;
• to teach graduate students basic skills of professional editing so that they can become better editors of their own work and that of peers;
• to enable graduate students to apply these skills to a piece of their own writing and to the writing of peers.

Skill Areas: General Writing Skills, Strategies, and Tools,

PROVIDED BY:

Graduate Writing Center

The Graduate Writing Center assists graduate students in the development of academic skills necessary to successfully complete their graduate programs and prepare for future faculty and professional positions. This unit offers workshops on topics such as academic writing, grant writing, dissertation writing, editing, and preparing articles for publication, in addition to writing groups and individual consultations on these topics for graduate students.

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PROW 3030: Advanced Academic Writing

This course is intended for advanced academic writers, from undergraduates in the advanced year of their major to graduate students who wish to write an effective paper, to practitioners and others with terminal degrees who wish to write an effective manuscript for publication. The ability to translate your readings, research, and findings into meaningful academic content is a challenging, skill-intensive process that pivots upon learning good time management and mindfulness strategies, as well as grasping the nuances of academic genres and styles of writing and documentation. Our course will focus on these concerns, along with providing some strategies for efficient reading of densely written academic texts. (For students seeking an introduction to college writing, please see PROW 1030: Introduction to Academic Reading, Writing, and Research).

See Course Tuition

*Academic credit is defined by the University of Pennsylvania as a course unit (c.u.). A course unit (c.u.) is a general measure of academic work over a period of time, typically a term (semester or summer). A c.u. (or a fraction of a c.u.) represents different types of academic work across different types of academic programs and is the basic unit of progress toward a degree. One c.u. is usually converted to a four-semester-hour course.

Valerie Ross

• Faculty Director, Penn LPS Online Certificate in Professional Writing

Skills Courses and Workshops: Graduate Writing I: Basic Composition

• Skills Courses and Workshops
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• Graduate Writing I: Basic Composition
• Graduate Writing II: Intermediate Composition
• Graduate Writing III: Advanced Composition
• Writing a Literature Review
• Preproposal
• Introduction
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• Methods Section
• Postproposal
• Master's Courses
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• Getting Started with Grant Writing (Micro Course 1)
• Getting Started with Grant Writing (Micro Course 2)
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• Next Page: Graduate Writing II: Intermediate Composition

Graduate Writing I: Basic Composition: CAEX 6055/6056

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SKIL 6055/6056: Graduate Writing I: Basic Composition

Graduate Writing I - Basic Composition skills is a course designed to help you strengthen your scholarly writing skills, with a focus on critical reading and effective summary.

NOTE: This course is for Masters or Doctoral students only

($210 + taxes and fees are charged for 2nd and subsequent course attempts)

Course Information

In this 6-week course, graduate students take the first step in developing their reading and writing skills for scholarly work. Students read a research article and summarize its parts, thus becoming more familiar with the language, structure, and style of the academic conversation. In addition to summary writing, topics include APA citation, scholarly voice, and revision. Students also maintain a journal of writing feedback they’ve received and apply that feedback to papers for their discipline-specific courses. After completion, students move on to Graduate Writing II: Intermediate Composition Skills.

• Evaluate scholarly writing for strengths and weaknesses
• Use a functional writing process that incorporates critical reading, prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing
• Write clear and mechanically correct sentences and paragraphs in standard English
• Incorporate Instructors’ comments on written work into revised drafts
• Write an evaluative essay with cohesive paragraphs that summarizes main ideas
• Assess progress with writing skills
• Develop a plan for continued learning of scholarly writing

To Register for any SKIL course or workshop, contact your Student Success Advisor.

You can contact your Student Success Advisor 

• by scheduling an appointment through your myWalden porta l,
• via email at  [email protected] ,
• or by calling 1-800-WALDENU [1-800-925-3368]

Frequently Asked Questions

Most SKIL courses are 1.5 quarter credits and 1 semester credit. Therefore, according to Walden’s Credit Hour Guidelines, you should expect to spend 42 total hours on SKIL coursework. This translates to 10.5 hours per week for 4-week courses, 7 hours per week for 6-week courses, and 5.25 hours per week for 8-week courses. Note that these numbers are only an estimate, as the actual time spent depends largely on the student and their specific abilities and needs.

Most of our courses and workshops require the 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (i.e., APA manual). This is the only text we require; other learning resources are built into the classroom.

SKIL courses, seminars, and workshops are graded on the S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory) system. Grades in SKIL courses do appear on your transcript, but the grades do not impact your Grade Point Average (GPA).

Do you have a question about the SKIL courses or workshops? E-mail us at  [email protected] .

Course Video

Transcript: Graduate Writing I

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"From all the years which I have participated in academia, this is the first time where I truly was able to comprehend what writing is about. She instructed so that I was able to understand.  I was/am amazed at her skill set."

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UCL Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE)

Introduction to Writing your PhD Thesis

Course information for Introduction to Writing your PhD Thesis, an Academic English course for postgraduate research students at UCL.

Course overview

The course is for you if you are registered on an MPhil / PhD programme. It helps you develop an awareness of the theory and conventions of academic writing, including how to sequence information into chapters within a PhD thesis, and how to approach writing specific sections, such as the literature review.

It is particularly suitable if you are in the first year of your course and have yet to start the upgrading/transfer process.

Course aims

The course aims to:

• develop awareness of the theory and conventions of academic writing
• analyse the sequence of information in essays and chapters of a PhD thesis.

Course content

Changes to content and timing may be made to reflect the exact needs of the students on the course (for example, fewer or additional topics may be covered).

• Paragraph structure/ Unity and Coherence
• Text structure
• Introductory and Concluding paragraphs
• The stages in an introductory chapter
• Literature Review
• Methods and Materials
• Discussions
• Sentence structures and punctuation
• Argumentation

Course delivery

Each group is taught 34 hours per term. This consists of twice-weekly two-hour classes over a period of 8.5 weeks. 

Course dates and times

How to register.

Registration for this course is managed by UCL Doctoral Skills using inkpath. If you have not previously registered with inkpath, you will need to follow the ‘Use Single Sign-On’ button.

Register now

Homework is an integral part of this course. Homework will either be given from course books , or it could be the application of areas taught in the class to your own field.

Each class starts with a discussion of homework to further critical thinking. The tutor gives written feedback on homework using a marking code to highlight problem areas. Use the feedback to self­ correct common errors. Detailed comments will also be provided.

In order to benefit fully from the course, we strongly recommend 100% attendance. If you have to miss a class, please inform the tutor beforehand.

Course Feedback / Staff-Student Consultative Exercise

All students on Academic English courses have the opportunity to give general feedback on their course to senior representatives of CLIE.

Academic support

If you have any questions about your course, please feel free to ask your tutor. Alternatively, contact the Course Coordinator, Mrs Daphne Thomas:  [email protected] .

Rights and Responsibilities

CLIE seeks to ensure that all students have a positive experience in respect of courses taken here, and fully adheres to the broader rights and responsibilities policies of UCL.

As part of our responsibility, our courses will follow a logical structure consistent with delivering the content and skills practise that we advertise, but with the freedom for teachers to respond (e.g. via needs analysis at the beginning of the course) to further relevant areas of particular interest to each student group.

Problems and complaints

If you are unhappy about any aspect of your course we would advise you in the first instance to speak to a member of staff at CLIE to see if the problem can be easily resolved within the department. For further details of our formal complaints procedure, please email the Academic English Course Coordinator or administration team at  [email protected] .

UCL Academic Communication Centre

Academic Communication support is available for Master's and undergraduate students through the UCL Academic Communication Centre . 

Useful links

The Self-Access Centre : online academic English resources, including videos, books, lectures and a language laboratory.

International Student Support : key information and advice on how best to prepare, settle in and enjoy life in the UK.

[email protected]

+44 (0)20 8138 7872

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Advanced Academic Writing | On-campus course | Full

The Advanced Academic Writing course is designed for PhD students who write their dissertation in English. The course addresses different aspects of the writing process, such as becoming aware of disciplinary requirements, improving text coherence, writing effective sentences, using punctuation effectively, using varied vocabulary and improving the overall style of writing.

Course description

N.B. You should participate in this course about 6 months into your PhD project or longer, preferably when you are writing the pilot study.

The course focuses on writing effective, well-structured and coherent academic texts in English. It introduces strategies to improve the overall writing process, such as planning, outlining and becoming aware of disciplinary requirements. Other important course themes include writing effective and varied sentences, using punctuation marks effectively, improving text coherence and working with different techniques to improve the overall style of the text. Because the course participants typically use English as a second language (ESL), the course also pays attention to certain language issues that might arise at the level of vocabulary, sentence structure, punctuation and grammar. Throughout the course, the participants will work towards laying the foundation of one of the chapters of their dissertation (or an academic article/pilot study) and will write a considerable part of this text. They will receive detailed and extensive feedback on their writing from the course instructor, who will also use the participants’ texts as a basis for the course material.

Tuesdays 13:00-15:30

Offered online. The next on campus course starts 27 March 2024, see the other course item for registration.

Dates : 6 February, 13 February, 27 February, 12 March, 19 March, 26 March, 2 April, 16 April.

It is no longer possible to register for the online Advanced Academic Writing course. 

Please sign up for the waiting list if you are still interested, and we might organise a second online installment of this course soon.

Wednesdays 9:30 - 12:00

Offered on campus only. The next online course starts 6 February 2024, see the other course item for registration.

Dates : 27 March, 3 April, 10 April, 17 April, 1 May, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May

• Registration - FULL Would you still like to join this course? Register for the waiting list here

Room 2.14 Spuistraat 134 1012 VB Amsterdam

Course details

Attendance & assignments.

To be able to complete the course successfully, the participants have to attend all classes. They should also submit at least two writing samples for feedback (1000-1200 words & 2500 words).

Important information about the course

Native speaker of English?

Although this is very much a writing course and most classes focus on different aspects of the writing process, improving style, different writing practices and so on, many participants write in English as a second language, so certain themes or questions that are particularly relevant for non-native speakers of English are also addressed. If English is your native language, then a quick Zoom intake meeting can be scheduled to discuss whether you would like to attend all classes or perhaps only a selection. Please note that the group does usually consist of a mix of native and non-native speakers and that, on the whole, the native speakers typically do attend all/most classes.

Have you started with the writing process?

Because this is a writing course, it is strongly recommend that you join the course once you've actually started with the writing process (chapter, article, pilot study). If you've just started with your PhD project, it might be better to join the course a bit later (this course is offered once in the fall semester and twice in the spring semester). Throughout the course you can submit various writing samples for feedback and participants find the combination of the group sessions and individual feedback particularly valuable.

The course will be taught by Lotte Tavecchio. Lotte holds a PhD in English Linguistics and has a special interest in sentence structure, punctuation, matters of style and contrastive linguistics. She works as a lecturer at Amsterdam University College (AUC) and is the owner of b-eloquent ( www.b-eloquent.nl ).

• Week 1: Introduction to course themes / overview of common mistakes & focus areas
• Week 2: Strategies to improve the writing process and exploring disciplinary requirements
• Week 3: Vocabulary: what do you need to know about words to use words effectively and to expand your vocabulary?
• Week 4: Writing effective sentences: varying your sentence structure
• Week 5: Effective and varied use of punctuation marks in complex sentences
• Week 6: Elements of stylishness: improving your style of writing
• Week 7: Text structure: improving text coherence
• Week 8: Course conclusion & room for extra theme suggested by participants (e.g. writing abstracts, designing poster presentations, etc.)

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Webinars & Workshops

Overview of academic writing.

This course is informal and ungraded, and offers an overview of key concepts and fundamentals of academic writing at HGSE. It consists of this online tutorial and a series of four workshops (each offered twice) led by doctoral student Writing TFs. 

All HGSE students are welcome. We recommend you take this course if: 

• You want tips about the writing process, from reading and note-taking all the way through editing and revision 
• You want to familiarize or refresh yourself with the expectations for writing in academia, in the education field, and/or in the U.S. 
• You want to learn about specialized assignment types common at HGSE 
• You want to improve your use of academic evidence, both how to write about it and how to cite or reference it 

For course material, visit the course Canvas site .

Synchronous Webinars

The HGSE Writing Center invites students to participate in webinars addressing several aspects of academic writing. Facilitated by Writing Center Teaching Fellows, the synchronous Zoom sessions are an hour each. Topics, dates, and Zoom links follow; workshops are identical and are repeated to maximize student attendance. Pre-registration is required.

Analyzing the Assignment

• Zoom recording  

Structure of an Academic Paper

• Zoom recording

Citing and Referencing

• Monday, September 25: 12:00 to 1:00 pm ( https://harvard.zoom.us/j/91693592196 )
• Wednesday, September 27: 3:00 to 4:00 pm ( https://harvard.zoom.us/j/91693592196 )

Organizing and Zotero

• Thursday, September 28: 9:00 to 10:00 am ( https://harvard.zoom.us/j/6376289972?pwd=eDVyR3BJZnVUNmRaZ3BPYmhDZlphQT09 )
• Friday, September 29:10:00 to 11:00 am ( https://harvard.zoom.us/j/6376289972?pwd=eDVyR3BJZnVUNmRaZ3BPYmhDZlphQT09 )

Pre-registration is required to help Writing Center staff anticipate instructional moves and for follow-up survey(s).

Asynchronous Workshop(s)

Using evidence in academic writing.

This brief online tutorial guides you through the principles of responsible evidence use: choosing and evaluating sources; quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing texts; and referencing and citation. 

Past Presentation Materials

Academic writing: structure, style, & strategy (2019).

  Presentation Slides:  structure_style_strategy_fall_2019.pdf                                                        Workshop Materials:  style_structure_strategy_materials.pdf

Academic Writing: Citing & Referencing in the Digital Age (2019)

  Presentation Slides:  citing_referencing_fall_2019.pdf                                                                    Workshop Materials:  citing_and_referencing_materials.pdf

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Graduate Writing Overview

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Here we present four vidcasts that offer a broad introductory overview of graduate writing. In this context, it is helpful to think about writing as a conversation , a process , a social endeavor , and a disciplinary undertaking . Stay tuned as we continue to publish these vidcasts!

Writing at the graduate level is quite different from writing at the undergraduate level. As emerging scholars, graduate writers will need to become well-versed in the scholarly conversations taking place in the journals and at the conferences within their field. Where undergraduate writers may find themselves primarily writing for their professor as audience and to show mastery of subject matter as a purpose, graduate writers’ audience will be their colleagues in the field, and their purpose will be to engage in conversation with and to disseminate new research to those colleagues. A graduate writer’s identity as scholar requires a concurrent identity as writer.

Materials in this section cover a range of topics relevant to graduate-level writing and to the process of becoming a scholarly writer within a particular field. Two sets of vidcasts fall in the category of Intensive Writing Experience (IWE). An IWE is a concentrated program aimed at a particular group of graduate students (e.g., those new to graduate writing or those writing theses and dissertations). These programs ask writers to learn about and engage with information about and strategies to apply to writing that they can then use in their own work. The Introduction to Graduate Writing vidcast series explores how writing is a conversation, a process, a social endeavor, and discipline specific. The IWE for Thesis and Dissertation writers offers material on how to set goals for and remain motivated during a long-term project. It covers topics relevant to drafting and revising documents, such as reverse outlining, sentence concision, and flow in scholarly writing.

In addition to the vidcasts, this section of the OWL houses a number of handouts specific to graduate writing on topics such as style or organization and on genres such as literature reviews and conference proposals. These materials offer explanations and samples of the particular topic or genre being covered in the handout.

Advanced academic writing for PhD researchers

Building on an analysis of participants' own texts submitted prior to commencement, this course gives you a clear idea of your strengths and weaknesses concerning written academic English. It shows you what you can do to improve your confidence in the short term, helps you to eradicate those silly mistakes, and gives you new options for expressing complex ideas in well-structured English sentences, so that you can add some variation to your writing. There is an emphasis on improving the clarity and compactness of your writing. On top of that you will be able to check and revise your own writing in a methodical fashion using a detailed editing checklist.

You will learn how to write in well-structured English sentences on complex academic topics, allowing you to write in a more varied way. A practical checklist will help you. 

Content The course is intensive and lasts two weeks: three meetings in the first week and two in the second week. You will be given tools to improve your writing confidence and avoid unnecessary mistakes in a short space of time. The emphasis is on improving the clarity and conciseness of your writing. You will also learn how to systematically revise your own work using a comprehensive checklist. 

Working method At the start of the course, you submit a text written in English, which you will work on during the course. For feedback, the teacher uses ELS-online, the ALP's feedback system. You will be reviewed using several revised versions of your own work and other editing assignments. 

For whom? Dutch and English speaking PhD students who want to improve or strengthen their academic English. Preferably, you have already written several longer texts that are relevant for your research, and you have been working on your PhD for at least a year.

In order to participate in this course, you must have a connection with the VU and you must have started your PhD trajectory. If you do not meet these requirements, but you still want to participate, please contact us before you register.

This course is taught twice a year. Please don’t register before the new dates have been published on the website, as in that case we cannot process your registration. Please contact us for more information.

Teacher Dr. Ursula Caci

Dates and time The course is offered each year in November and May. Monday, 13 May 2024 Tuesday, 14 May 2024 Friday, 17 May 2024 Tuesday, 21 May 2024 Friday, 24 May 2024

All classes are from 9.30 to 12.15 hrs. 

Price € 475

Registration and contact Click here for registration form . For information and questions, please send an e-mail to the ALP's course administration: [email protected] .

The ALP is part of the VU Language Policy

Academic Language Programme

Contact Academic Language Programme

For VU staff: you can contact us about ALP courses for you or your students or with questions about language policy or communicative skills.

Dr. Gea Dreschler , academic director ALP

Dr. Nel de Jong , coordinator ALP for Dutch (NT1, NT2)

For students: for questions or information about a course, workshop or coaching, contact us at

[email protected]

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Academic writing (for PhD candidates and research master’s students)

Would you like to know more about how to write an academic paper? Would you like to learn how to capture the correct tone and to express your ideas in a concise, nuanced manner? In our Academic Writing courses, you can learn to do that. Under the supervision of English writing instructors, you will practise writing your own text, reviewing literature and improving and editing texts. We offer a general academic writing course available to all PhD candidates and Research Master's students. We also offer specialised courses for PhD candidates in Biomedical Sciences, Psychology and Health Sciences. Upon completion of a course, you will receive a certificate of participation provided you meet the attendance and participation requirements. 

• focus on using precise and nuanced language
• it is possible to register for the courses several times a year
• 8 weekly sessions of 2 hours each
• 2-3 hours of preparation time each week
• you will receive a certificate of participation
• this course is considered to be worth 2 ECTS depending on faculty policy

For available times for the courses below please see the  course dates and registration form . The registration form shows the currently available groups.

Quick links:

•   Academic Writing (PhD-1)
•   Advanced Scientific Writing (PhD-2 Biomed)
•   Advanced Scientific Writing (PhD-2 Health)
•   Master's admission requirements and Certificate

For online Academic Writing Courses go to PhD Critical Writing Skills (Online)

For an overview of the English Academic Skills programme go to Communication in Scientific English

Academic Writing for PhD candidates and Research Master’s Students (PhD-1)

PhD-1 offers you a general introduction to scientific writing. It is open to PhD candidates and Research Master’s students from across the university. Assignments and example texts have been selected accordingly. In this course, you will write your own texts, review literature, improve texts, practise advanced grammar and you will learn to identify typical features in published articles. You will have the opportunity to submit work to your tutor and will receive feedback. You will also give feedback to fellow students and receive feedback from them on your writing. 

You should be able to submit two pages of written work each week. It is advisable either to have written before starting the course, or at least be in a position to submit work as the course progresses. By submitting work regularly, you will discover more about your writing style and maximise your learning experience.   

After you have finished the course, you will know how to:

• structure your ideas to write clear sentences and cohesive paragraphs
• use an academic writing style characterised by precise, concise and formal language
• report on previous research and assess its importance
• recognise and use different techniques in academic texts such a defining and exemplifying.

Tutor: Gabriel Campbell

For available times and registration please see the timetable and registration form

Registration

Course code is: PhD-1 Please register using our online registration form . Use status 'UM PhD candidate' if you are a PhD candidate of the UM.

Advanced Scientific Writing for PhD candidates in Biomedical Sciences and Psychology Beta (PhD-2 Biomed)

In PhD-2 Biomed, you will learn how to write an empirical research article containing an Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion section (IMRAD). This course was developed for PhD candidates who have completed PhD-1 or who have previously published an article(s). It is ideal for people writing an article in one of the following disciplines:

• Biomedical sciences, including laboratory research fields in cardiology, immunology, genetics
• Hard science areas of psychology such as neuropsychology and psychopharmacology

The course specifically focuses on aspects of rhetoric and meaning. You will become more aware of differences in the structure and organisation of research papers. You will also learn how to use concise and nuanced language; you will also become better at expressing yourself and choosing the words that reflect what you wish to say. 

Required materials

Glasman-Deal, H. (2010). Science Research Writing for Non-native speakers of English. London: Imperial College Press (available at the Randwijck Study Store) 

Course code: PhD-2 Please register using our online registration form .

Use status 'UM PhD candidate' if you are a PhD candidate of the UM.

Advanced Scientific Writing for PhD candidates in Health Sciences and Psychology Gamma (PhD-2 Health)

In PhD-2 Health, you will learn how to write an empirical research article containing an Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion section (IMRAD). This course was developed for PhD candidates who have completed PhD-1 or who have previously published an article(s). It is ideal for people writing an article in one of the following disciplines:

• Social science areas of psychology, including psychology, work psychology and social psychology
• Health sciences, including fields such as health economics, health education, epidemiology, but also general practice and patient care

You should be able to submit two pages of written work each week. It is advisable either to have written before starting the course, or at least be in a position to submit work as the course progresses. By submitting work regularly, you will discover more about your writing style and maximise your learning experience.   

Glasman-Deal, H. (2010). Science Research Writing for Non-native speakers of English. London: Imperial College Press (available at the Randwijck Study Store)

Course code: PhD-2 Please register using our online registration form . 

Master's admission requirements and Certificate

PhD-1 is available to Research Master’s students and PhD candidates at Maastricht University and from other universities. Our two PhD-2 courses are open to Maastricht University scientific PhD candidates and to scientific PhD candidates at other universities. 

Certificate

At the end of the course you will receive a certificate, providing you have attended at least 6 out of the 8 sessions and submitted at least 5 of the writing assignments.

All academic writing courses: € 495

For FHML PhD candidates who are registered as PhD candidate at HR and in PhD TRACK of one of the Schools, MaCSBIO, M4I or MERLN and are registered in PhD TRACK, please provide your personnel number (700....) in the subscription form. The costs will be paid by the Faculty. If you are not registered, the Language Centre will send you an invoice directly. Please note that registration is an agreement to pay.

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Academic Writing for PhDs

Do you want to develop and expand the skills required for writing reports, articles, books and dissertations in English? The course Academic Writing teaches participants to write in a way that is effective and appropriate for academic texts.

Why this course?

You will not only learn to acquire a correct usage of English language, but also to use effective and fitting English for an academic text. The course not only focuses on grammar and use of words but also on writing strategies that are typical of English academic writing. 

You will focus on the following topics: 

• How to structure information effectively
• How to link ideas and arguments smoothly to create a flowing text
• To take a critical view of your own work
• How to write clear and concise texts 
• The conventions for stressing key constituents in English texts. 

Participants are expected to have English language skills at level B2+ or higher in terms of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. if you are not sure about your level: English language check  

This course will take place over several sessions of 2 or 3 hours and you will be given about 14 hours of homework in between course days. Total workload: 56 hours.

Practical information

• You can register for this course using the registration buttons on the right side of this page. Please note the difference between Staff (employee of Leiden University) and Extern/LUMC (e.g. extern, self-funded researchers or employee at LUmc). 
• The course is free of charge for employee- and contract PhD candidates. 

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10 powerful methodology courses for PhD students [online]

Good knowledge of research methodology is a precondition for a successful PhD thesis. However, not all PhD students have access to methodology courses as part of their PhD programme. Fortunately, there are good options online, such as the following 10 powerful methodology online courses for PhD students provided via Coursera.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase using the links below at  no additional cost to you.

Free online research methodology courses for PhD students

Online certificate courses in research methodology for phd students, short online courses in research methodology, extensive online courses in research methodology for phd students.

Coursera is a US-based platform that provides massive open online courses. To provide these courses, Coursera works together with universities and other specialised organizations such as Google or IBM.

Almost all online courses on Coursera, including methodology courses, can be accessed for free. This provides PhD students with plenty of opportunities to improve their methodological skills.

The only caveat of accessing methodology courses for free is the lack of a certificate upon course completion. Furthermore, in some courses, you cannot participate in the assignments and peer review of projects if you decide to go for the free option.

However, if you are just looking for a short refresher or some in-depth information on a specific method or research approach, simply accessing a course for free is a wonderful way to gain and deepen your knowledge.

Here are two examples:

Understanding Research Methods (University of London)

A powerful online methodology course that lends itself to the option of free access is Understanding Research Methods. The course is targeted at students conducting research as part of postgraduate studies and provides a great overview of the fundamentals of conducting research and different research methods. The syllabus includes information on research questions, literature reviews, research planning and research evaluation. If you choose the certificate option, instead of accessing the course for free, you can even create your own research proposal and receive individual feedback!

Enroll in the course >>

Basic Statistics (University of Amsterdam)

Coursera also provides powerful introductory courses on specific methods of analysis. Basic Statistics is one of them. Despite its focus on people working in the social and behavioural sciences, this course offers a great introduction to statistics to all PhD students who start from scratch when it comes to statistics, or those who learned some basic statistics a long time ago. The course teaches you how to explore data, understand correlation and regression, probability, probability and sampling distributions, and much more!

Learning new skills should be the most important part of following online courses in research methodology. However, it can also be useful to collect evidence of your knowledge and skills in the form of certificates.

Certificates look good on your CV and may come in handy in future job applications (within and outside of academia). In general, all Coursera issues certificates for the successful completion of all its course for a relatively low fee, including the ones presented above.

However, for PhD students who look for certificates in research methodology, it can be smart to follow online research methodology courses that are more extensive or go further in-depth compared to introductory courses.

Here are three good examples:

Research Design: Inquiry and Discovery (University of North Texas)

One powerful course that goes in-depth when it comes to research methodologies is Research Design: Inquiry and Discovery , which is definitely worth a certificate! It is a great course for PhD researchers who want to dive deeper into the creation of good research questions, how to connect research questions to suitable research approaches, as well as to methods of data collection and analysis. Additionally, it discusses important topics such as research ethics, which will really make you reflect on your own PhD research design.

Research Data Management and Sharing (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill & The University of Edinburgh)

Another methodology course that is definitely worth a certificate is Research Data Management and Sharing . Many universities place a growing emphasis on data management as part of a research methodology. And often, a well-developed data management plan is a precondition for receiving ethics approval for a PhD research project. The online course teaches valuable knowledge on things to consider and actionable steps to develop your own research data management and sharing plan, including the curation, preservation, access and reuse of data!

Data Science Graduate Certificate (University of Colorado Boulder)

PhD students who work a lot with quantitative data can benefit from enrolling in Coursera’s Data Science Graduate Certificate, provided by the University of Colorado Boulder. In contrast to the other methodology courses, this one is a complete programme consisting of 14 courses! The programme teaches you how to extract knowledge and insight from large datasets, and incorporates knowledge of statistical analysis, data mining, and machine learning. And while it is taught 100% taught online, you can receive not only a certificate but 12 credits! So if these skills are useful for your PhD, it can be worth exploring whether the programme can be part of fulfilling the educational requirements of your PhD degree.

>”>Enroll in the course >>

Improving your knowledge of research methodology does not have to take months on end. There are many short methodology courses provided on Coursera , which provide PhD students with an efficient way to learn or refresh their knowledge of specific research methods.

Here are two good examples:

Quantitative Research Methods (University of Amsterdam)

This course on quantitative research methods takes approximately 30 hours, which means you can tackle it in less than a week. It provides a good overview of quantitative research methods and covers the fundamental principles of science, some history and philosophy of science, research designs, measurement, sampling and ethics. Quantitative Research Methods is an introductory course and does not specifically target the PhD level. However, it is a quick way for PhD students to explore different options of quantitative methods before diving deeper into the ones they ultimately select for their research.

Qualitative Comparative Analysis (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

A lot of PhD students using qualitative methods are interested in comparative analyses. If this is the case, the course Qualitative Comparative Analysis is right for you! In approximately 27 hours, the course discusses everything from the analytical foundations of qualitative comparative analysis, to research design and calibration, to systematic comparisons and the interpretation of results. All in all, PhD researchers can learn how to conduct a comparative analysis in a scientifically sound manner.

PhD students who look for more extensive online courses in research methodology are advised to follow a so-called Coursera ‘specialisation’. Specialisations often consists of several related courses and always involve a capstone project, which is individual work in the form of, for instance, a case study analysis or research paper.

When you finish and pay for a specialisation, you get course certificates for each individual course that it part of the specialisation as well as an extra certificate for the specialisation as a whole.

Here are three examples of powerful specialisations focusing on methodology:

Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences Specialization (University of Amsterdam)

The Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences Specialisation includes some of the individual courses already mentioned above. It consists of five different courses, which cover quantitative methods, qualitative research methods, basic statistics, inferential statistics, and a final research project on methods and statistics in social sciences. Not only provides this course provides a great foundation of research methods and methodologies but teaches you in a practical way how to formulate a research hypothesis and design, come up with operationalizations, create manipulation and measurement instruments, collect data, perform statistical analyses and document the results.

Survey Data Collection and Analytics Specialization (University of Maryland and University of Michigan)

PhD students who are interested in surveys as part of their research can benefit from following the Survey Data Collection and Analytics Specialisation . This specialisation consists of 7 different courses, that provide in-depth knowledge on surveys in different fields, including market research, social sciences, government statistics and other domains. Students who follow the course will learn everything from designing questionnaires to sampling, dealing with missing values to analysing survey data. At the end of the specialisation, a Capstone Project is used to apply the skills taught during the courses. After the completion of the course, PhD students can tackle their own survey from beginning to end.

Econometrics for Economists and Finance Practitioners Specialization (Queen Mary University of London)

Finally, the Econometrics for Economists and Finance Practitioners Specialisation is a great intensive online programme that can benefit PhD students doing quantitative research. Yes, the course focuses on practitioners but hear me out: PhD students (and everyone else for that matter) can highly benefit from information even if it is not directly targeted at them. This specialisation, for instance, provides rigorous training in econometric methods and uses a ton of real-data examples. Learning how to test hypotheses on the relationship between variables is a crucial skill for many PhD students. Even those who are not directly involved in economics and finance theories.

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Coursebooks

Academic Writing for Doctoral Students (1)

ENG-627 / 2 credits

Teacher: Various lecturers

Language: English

Remark: Registration via Language Centre EPFL (UNIL) CdL only

This course is intended for PhD students only.

• https://go.epfl.ch/modules-english/
• https://go.epfl.ch/modules-anglais/

In the programs

• Exam form: Written (session free)
• Subject examined: Academic Writing for Doctoral Students (1)
• Exercises: 60 Hour(s)

Reference week

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Non-Credit Certificate Program in Medical Writing and Editing

Master the fundamentals and best practices of medical writing, editing, and communication.

Upcoming Events

Freelancing in Medical Writing and Editing

Apr 9, 2024 • Online

How to Land Your First Job in Editing

Apr 29, 2024 • Online

At a Glance

The University of Chicago’s non-credit certificate in Medical Writing and Editing uses the AMA Manual of Style as the foundation for mastering the fundamentals and best practices of medical writing, editing, and communication.

Developed for professionals with backgrounds in science or writing, the online medical writing certificate program with synchronous course sessions has a comprehensive curriculum focused on creating medical communicators with strong writing, editing, data reporting, and analytic skills. Student have the opportunity to boost their skills quickly in nine months to one year, part-time.

Designed For

Designed for both professionals with a background in science who want to acquire writing skills, and those with a background in writing or an English degree who want to understand medical terminology.

Learn from Industry Experts

Our program instructors have worked with and for a wide range of leading organizations, including the American Medical Association, WebMD, the Mayo Clinic, The Journal of Infectious Diseases, and the Journal of Graduate Medical Education.

Want to Learn More?

View our comprehensive curriculum, taught by seasoned medical writers and editors.

Grow Your Network

Current students and alumni have access to networking events and webinars hosted by our Student Advisory Board and our Professional Development team, who also fund an alumni scholarship program.

Join a Thriving Field in Medical Writing

Driven by the expansion of scientific and technical products, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a faster growth rate in the employment of technical writers than that in other fields.

Potential Job Titles for Medical Writers and Editors

• Content Specialist
• Medical Writer/Editor
• Regulatory Writer/Editor
• Technical Editor

Average salaries for Medical Writers and Editors

According to Glassdoor, the salaries of both medical writers and editors average around $97,000.

Focus Areas

• Specialization Track in Freelancing

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• Non-Credit Certificate Program in Regulatory Writing

Gain in-demand medical writing skills that will help elevate your career in healthcare or medical...

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Essential Courses on Medical Copyediting

From Freelancer to Founder

• Non-Credit Certificate Program in Editing
• Learning the Business of Freelance Medical Writing and Editing

Pros and Cons of Getting a Doctorate Online

From heightened career advancement opportunities to increased salary potential, there are many reasons why people are choosing to earn doctorate degrees in 2024. Thanks to the proliferation of online doctorate programs, working professionals no longer have to press pause on their jobs to attend classes or complete coursework. Instead, tens of thousands of American professionals each year are rising to meet the growth in doctoral and professional-level occupations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), such occupations are projected to grow by 13 percent between 2016 and 2026, which is faster than the 7-percent average projection for all occupations.  

If you are interested in earning a doctoral degree, you may have questions such as “Are online doctoral degrees respected?” or “Do I need to earn my degree from an accredited institution?” Discovering the answers to those questions can help you determine whether an online doctorate is a good fit for helping them achieve their professional and personal goals.  

Pros of Online Doctorate Programs  

Online doctoral programs provide students with a long list of benefits. While some may come to mind immediately — the ability to complete coursework from your home office or a breakroom at work, for example — others are less obvious but equally meaningful. Consider several positive elements of both the experience and impact of earning an online doctoral degree. 

Flexibility 

For the average working professional, spare time is a precious commodity. Between personal and professional obligations, an in-personal doctoral program with a rigid class schedule is often a non-starter. The university administrators designing the best online doctoral degree programs understand the time constraints for aspiring students and intentionally offer creative solutions that enhance the lives of professionals rather than burden them. 

The flexibility of an online doctoral program empowers professionals to continue building their careers as they earn their degrees. This flexibility helps the calendar stay manageable and allows students to integrate what they are learning into their jobs in real time. 

Saving Time 

Gone are the days when pursuing a doctorate necessarily meant relocation, residency, or refraining from full-time work. While some individuals will find that a cross-country move for in-person coursework or an all-in approach to academic life best fits their doctoral pursuit, most working professionals are looking for a different path. An online doctoral program offers such individuals a time-savvy approach to further education. There’s no time spent commuting, walking to class, or learning the nuances of a new city and campus. Instead, the online delivery model brings education into the professional’s existing home, workplace and routine.  

Instead of a rush hour drive from the office to an evening lecture, the out-of-class time commitment is simply the opening of a laptop. Frantically looking for parking to make it to a professor’s office hours on time is replaced with a virtual meeting link. Through an online program, students are empowered to make the most of their hours and can devote time and energy to their work, personal life and school.  

There are long-term time savings for online doctoral degree earners as well. Students enrolled in online programs often earn their degrees more quickly than their peers enrolled in in-person programs. The efficient approach to time in online doctoral programs not only allows students to leverage their schedules during the program but after as well, as they graduate ready to make the most of their time in the workplace.  

Personalized Learning 

One of the most beloved features of online doctoral programs is the personalized learning approach. Through both live and asynchronous instruction, students have access to multiple educational modes. Individuals who learn best through reading, for example, can access transcripts for online courses, while those who benefit from writing out their thoughts may find discussion forums especially useful.  

Additionally, the best online doctorate degree programs pair students with faculty mentors — who, because of the virtual nature of the program, can live anywhere in the country — who work and research in fields specific to the student’s interests.  

Maximized Networking 

Online doctorate programs empower working professionals to expand their networks significantly. By connecting with fellow students throughout the country, students enrolled in online doctorates have the opportunity to cultivate a more diverse community of like-minded professionals who are collectively working toward the greater good. The insight, perspective and experiences of individuals from various backgrounds can help students develop a national, and even global, lens for viewing their work, relationships and impact. 

While an in-person educational experience can facilitate good conversation, an online platform creates a greater opportunity for diversified discussion. A principal working in education in a rural area, for example, may be enrolled in an online doctorate of education course with a superintendent in a major city. A business consultant who serves an aging client base may form a connection with an analyst focused on young professionals. Relationships like these can be mutually enriching, expanding perspectives and providing ample opportunity for collaboration, sharing advice and encouraging lifelong learning. 

Cons of Online Doctoral Programs 

While the online doctoral experience is overwhelmingly positive, there are a few factors for aspiring students to bear in mind. By asking the right questions about themselves and the programs they are considering, doctoral hopefuls can find the best fit for their educational futures.  

Net-Based Networking 

While virtual networking has tremendous potential for cultivating an expansive, diverse community, some prefer in-person interaction. For working professionals who find digital communication or relationship-building difficult or uncomfortable, the networking element of online doctoral programs may be challenging.  

Credibility Concerns 

Whether or not online degree programs are respected is an important issue for individuals considering a doctorate. The most critical question is whether or not an accredited institution issues a degree. Students who earn degrees — whether online or in-person — from accredited institutions can feel at ease about the credibility of their program. When a trusted accrediting body gives a program its stamp of approval, that means it meets high educational standards.  

There are several accrediting bodies in the United States, many of which focus on certain types of degree programs or regions of the country. AACSB, for example, accredits business schools. The scope of accreditation for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) includes distance and correspondence education for eleven states and Latin America. 

Time Management  

Personalized learning, asynchronous instruction and virtual coursework mean that online doctoral students must create schedules and establish the structure for working toward their degrees. Individuals who struggle with time management or self-discipline may find that an in-person educational experience provides them with the rigor and boundaries they need to succeed academically. 

Earn a Doctoral Degree in Business Administration or Education through Marymount University Online 

For most working professionals interested in further education, the pros of an online doctoral degree outnumber the cons. The Online Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership & Organizational Innovation and Online Doctorate of Business Administration in Business Intelligence (DBA) at Marymount University are accredited programs that equip professionals to advance their careers while connecting them with like-minded professionals across the U.S.  

Take the first step toward your doctorate here . 

Out-of-State Students

Clinical placement requirements are unique for each state. Please see our list of program offerings by state or contact us to determine whether our programs fulfill your state requirements.

CCNE Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Marymount University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Requirements Not Met

To proceed with either the BSN to MSN FNP or the BSN to DNP FNP or the BSN to DNP PMHNP or the MSN PMHNP, you are required to have a bachelor’s degree and hold your RN license.

To proceed with either the PMC-FNP or the PMC-DNP or the PMC-PMHNP, you are required to have a master's degree and hold your RN license.

To proceed with the ABSN, you are required to have a bachelor's degree.

If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us .

To proceed with the EdD in Educational Leadership and Organizational Leadership degree, you are required to have a master’s degree.

If you don’t meet this requirement but would still like further information, please contact us .

To proceed with the Doctor of Business Administration - Business Intelligence degree, you are required to have a master’s degree.

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