Professional Development

The Professional Development Program (PDP) helps doctoral students develop academic and non-academic skills that contribute to professional success. The PDP offers workshops throughout the year, a regular newsletter, and online resources that prepare students to be leaders in communities and the academy. Our workshops include one-on-one feedback and cover topics including academic CVs and cover letters, writing and editing, conference proposals and abstracts, job interviews, dissertation planning and writing, stage presence and public speaking, and teaching in-class and online. 

Generally, Professional Development offerings fall into three program categories: Scholarship and Research, Teaching, and Career Development.  Click on the links below to find helpful articles and resources that provide information for developing skills in each of these categories.   

• Scholarship and Research Skills - enhancing doctoral-level research and writing.

• Teaching Skills -  developing teaching experience and presentation skills.  

• Career Development - successfully entering the religious studies and theology professions.

The workshops offered during the spring 2023 term will focus on preparing for the job market. The workshops cover various aspects of the application involved when applying for teaching or non-teaching jobs. The workshops are primarily aimed at the GTU doctoral students but all students from the GTU consortium are welcome to join as well.

February 1
From A Thesis Statement to An Essay - Facilitated by Dr. Pravina Rodrigues

February 6
Newhall Fellows' Gathering - Facilitated by Drs. Diandra Erickson and Chaitanya Motupalli

February 15
Writing a Successful Conference Proposal - Facilitated by Emily Pothast

March 1
How to Write a Teaching Philosophy? - Facilitated by Dr. Diandra Erickson

March 15
How to Draft a Diversity Statement? - Facilitated by Dr. Ruth Meyers

April 5
Crafting an Impressive Curriculum Vitae - Facilitated by Dr. Eric Sias

April 19
Beyond Facebook and Instagram: Social Media Presence - Facilitated by Victoria Price

May 3
Teaching Fellows' Luncheon with the 2022 GTU Excellence in Teaching Awardee Dr. Devin Zuber

PDP workshops for the fall  term will resume in September