Preparing for Graduate Study in the U.S.: A course for international students from Coursera

Preparing for graduate school in the United States can be nerve-wracking. Many international students have questions about what the programs are like and what resources they can use to excel in their studies. This course allows potential and incoming international students to practice their communication skills, identify tools that support academic success, and gain confidence as they prepare for their advanced degrees.

Alongside advancing your English skills, get the chance to hear from international students who have attended graduate school in the United States as they explain how they adapted to campus life, utilized resources, and fostered community on their new campus. Throughout the course, learners from across the world can connect with other students to dive deeper into course topics, discuss perspectives, and network.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: English for Getting Acquainted

Welcome to the first week of our course! Each week, we'll give you a brief overview of what's ahead, which we like to call "This week in a nutshell" - a short summary of the content you can expect, just like the content that fits into the shell of a nut. During this week, we have five lessons lined up for you. First, we'll introduce the course and what it has to offer. Then, we will guide you in crafting a professional self-introduction. Moving on to the third and fourth lesson, you'll gain insights about the differences between undergraduate and graduate study, and select a "target institution" to explore throughout this course. Lastly, a brief graded quiz will help you review what you've learned in this entire week.

Week 2: English for Introducing Yourself Professionally

Welcome to Week 2 of Preparing for Graduate Study in the U.S. In the following lessons, we’ll be exploring short professional self-introductions, also called “Elevator pitches.” Then, we will be exploring ways to add to your language toolbox to introduce yourself professionally. After that, we’ll introduce some tools you can use to explore campus language use more generally. And finally, you will be putting this week’s pieces together to formulate your own professional elevator pitch.

Week 3: English for Interactive Learning & Teamwork

Welcome to Week 3 of Preparing for Graduate Study in the U.S. We’ll begin looking at the many ways in which graduate student learning takes place in small groups or teams as well as the various roles we may play in groups. We will ponder on how to advocate for the roles we wish to play when negotiating group responsibilities and reflect on collaboration opportunities in your target graduate program.

Week 4: English for Research and Scholarship

Of course the primary reason to pursue graduate studies is to learn about and participate in research and scholarship in your field. This week, we'll be looking at framing our own expertise, collaborating with faculty, and conventions around engaging with published scholarly writing.

Week 5: English in Campus Life

In this last week of our course together, we'll turn our attention to the transition to graduate student life on a new campus. We'll identify ways to connect with individuals and groups, and to foster a supportive community around us. We'll cap off the course with a "final draft" version of everyone's elevator pitches.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores graduate school application and study in the U.S., which aligns with the core audience of international students preparing for graduate school in the United States

Taught by Pamela Bogart, which adds credibility to the course's content and delivery

Develops skills in professional communication, collaboration, and academic success strategies, which are essential for graduate school success

Includes guest perspectives from international students who have attended graduate school in the United States, providing valuable insights and practical advice

Offers opportunities for learners to connect and network with other international students, fostering a sense of community and support

Uses a multi-modal approach with videos, readings, discussions, and interactive activities, catering to various learning styles

Reviews summary

Lauded course for graduate school preparation

Learners say this course is exceptionally well designed, user friendly, and enjoyable to learn. Students appreciate how this course can help prepare international students for Graduate studies in the U.S.

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Preparing for Graduate Study in the U.S.: A course for international students with these activities:

Review Undergraduate Course Materials

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Reinforce the foundational knowledge acquired during your undergraduate studies to ensure a strong knowledge base for graduate-level coursework.

Browse courses on Calculus

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Identify the key concepts and topics covered in relevant undergraduate courses.
Review your notes, textbooks, and other study materials from those courses.
Complete practice questions or exercises to test your understanding.

Explore Online Resources for English Language Learning

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Supplement your learning by accessing a wide range of online resources to enhance your grammar, vocabulary, and listening skills.

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Identify reputable websites or platforms that offer free English language lessons.
Select courses or tutorials that align with your specific areas of improvement.
Consistently complete the lessons and assignments provided.
Utilize online forums or discussion boards to connect with other learners and native speakers.

Practice Common English Phrases

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Strengthen your fluency and enhance your confidence in using common English phrases in academic settings.

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Identify a list of essential English phrases for academic writing and speaking.
Practice using these phrases in context through exercises and mock dialogues.
Record yourself speaking the phrases and listen back to identify areas for improvement.

Four other activities

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Join a Language Exchange Group

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Immerse yourself in a conversational environment with native English speakers to improve your fluency and pronunciation.

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Find a language exchange group or partner who is a native English speaker.
Schedule regular meetings to practice speaking and listening to English.
Prepare conversation topics or scenarios to facilitate discussions.

Participate in a Writing Workshop

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Receive feedback on your writing from peers and instructors to refine your writing skills and improve the quality of your academic writing.

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Join a writing workshop or identify a group of peers interested in providing feedback.
Submit a draft of your writing for review and critique.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions and feedback sessions.
Incorporate the feedback into your writing and make necessary revisions.

Read a Book on Academic Writing in English

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Gain a deeper understanding of academic writing conventions, organization, and styles to enhance your written communication skills.

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Purchase or borrow the book.
Allocate specific time slots for reading and studying the chapters.
Take notes, highlight key concepts, and complete any exercises provided in the book.

Develop a Presentation on a Research Topic

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Enhance your research and presentation skills by choosing a topic related to your field of study and presenting it in a clear and engaging manner.

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Select a research topic that interests you and aligns with your graduate program.
Conduct thorough research using academic sources and credible websites.
Organize your findings into a logical and coherent structure.
Create visual aids, such as slides or handouts, to support your presentation.
Practice delivering your presentation to receive feedback and make necessary improvements.

Career center

Learners who complete Preparing for Graduate Study in the U.S.: A course for international students will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Program Manager

For those working as a Program Manager, they will likely be involved in advanced research, academic papers and other published work. To be successful in this career field, you must be knowledgeable about research and scholarship, and the masters program will provide the necessary tools to succeed.

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Data Scientist

As a Data Scientist, research and scholarship will be a crucial aspect of the work you complete. Knowing the conventions around engaging with published scholarly writing will help you produce top-notch work, and the masters will provide the tools to achieve this.

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Research Assistant

Research Assistants who wish to progress their career will find value in the program's focus on research and scholarship. The program offers training in collaboration with faculty, as well as how to engage with published scholarly writing.

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Technical Writer

This program will be helpful for a Technical Writer to improve their professional communication skills. The focus on English for Getting Acquainted and English for Introducing Yourself Professionally will provide a strong foundation for this career.

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Archivist

This program will be helpful for Archivists who want to advance their knowledge and skillset in the fields of research and scholarship, in addition to professional communication.

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Journalist

Journalists who wish to move into a field that requires more technical writing or advanced research will find this program particularly applicable. The masters program will build a foundation in research and scholarship, as well as campus life and professional networking.

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Academic Advisor

For the career of an Academic Advisor, this course will be helpful for learning about university resources, building a supportive community, and practicing group leadership skills. In particular, the course's focus on campus life will be an advantage for this career.

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Educational Consultant

As an Educational Consultant, you may be required to lead teams of people to complete certain tasks. Taking this course will provide the foundation for successful team leadership as it relates to group responsibilities and collaboration.

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Community Outreach Specialist

The Community Outreach Specialist who wants to advance their career may find benefit in this program, especially in the aspect of fostering community on campus. The program will teach strategies for building a supportive community.

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English Language Teacher

An English Language Teacher may find value in this program if they wish to learn more about cross-cultural communication, as highlighted in the syllabus for the course.

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Museum Educator

The Museum Educator who wishes to take the next step in their career may find this program helpful. Particularly, the module on English in Campus Life will be a valuable resource for fostering a supportive community among museum patrons.

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Grant Writer

The Grant Writer who wishes to take the next step in their career may find this program helpful. Particularly, the module on English for Research and Scholarship will be a valuable resource for writing persuasive and compelling grant proposals.

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Instructional Designer

This program may be useful for Instructional Designers who want to learn more about English for Interactive Learning & Teamwork. The course focuses on different roles within groups, negotiation of responsibilities, and collaboration opportunities.

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Librarian

This program may be useful for Librarians who want to learn more about cross-cultural communication, as highlighted in the syllabus.

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Curator

This program may be useful for Curators who want to learn more about cross-cultural communication, as highlighted in the syllabus.

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