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
Explore how artificial intelligence connects with business strategy, organizational decision-making, and technology implementation.
October 21 - December 2, 2026
Introduction to Industrial Additive Manufacturing (Spring only - see registration link below).
Jumpstart your career in engineering through additive manufacturing. This course will give you cutting edge knowledge and skills in the rapidly evolving field of additive manufacturing. For registration, please follow this link.
January 19 - May 9, 2027 (T/Th, 5 - 6:30 pm)
Energy & Applied Analysis
Introduction to Solar Analysis & Due Diligence
Learn how technical and financial analysis are used to evaluate solar-energy projects and inform real-world decisions.
February 1 - March 28, 2027
Who Can Participate?
The program is open to all currently enrolled UC Merced graduate students in good academic standing.
How It Works
Students submit a brief request identifying the PACE course(s) they would like to take and describing how the training supports their professional or career development.
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.
