Build skills beyond your degree
Graduate Division is launching the Graduate Professional Skills Program, a new opportunity for UC Merced graduate students to complete selected professional courses through UC Merced Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at no cost to the student.
The program is designed to complement graduate research and academic training with skills that are valuable across careers in academia, industry, government, national laboratories, nonprofits, and other sectors.
2026–27 Professional Skill Areas
Project Management
Leadership
Technology & Innovation
Energy & Applied Analysis
Who Can Participate?
The program is open to all currently enrolled UC Merced graduate students. No faculty nomination or recommendation letter is required.
How It Works
Students submit a brief request identifying the PACE course they would like to take and describing how the training supports their professional or career development.
This is not a competitive fellowship application. Graduate Division will sponsor eligible students while course capacity and funds remain.
Students may receive support for one PACE offering per semester during the 2026–27 academic year and will be expected to complete the course and a brief post-course evaluation.
About the Pilot
The Graduate Professional Skills Program is offered by UC Merced Graduate Division in partnership with UC Merced PACE.
The 2026–27 pilot is made possible through founding support from the NSF Research Traineeship CONDESA program. The pilot will help Graduate Division identify the professional training opportunities most valuable to UC Merced graduate students and develop a sustainable program for future years.
