Graduate Student Survey Results

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What is the survey about?

All currently enrolled graduate students (Masters and Doctoral) were invited to participate in this campus-wide effort to evaluate and improve academic and social experiences of our students. Between 37% and 59% of graduate students participated in the survey in the last ten years (2011-2021).

This survey focuses on different aspects of graduate student experience including faculty teaching and mentoring, program requirements, research opportunities, professional development workshops, campus climate, and TA training.

The main purpose of this survey is to provide graduate students with a unique formal opportunity to share their experiences and suggestions with campus decision makers.

2021 Graduate Student Survey

Conducted from April 15 to July 1, 2021.  Respondents: 37% of graduate students (41% of PhD/DMA and 27% of Masters) enrolled in winter/spring 2021.  The 2021 survey was part of the University of California Graduate Student Experience Survey (UCGSES).

• Questionnaire
•  Results
  • COVID-19 and remote learning interactive data tables for UCSC and comparisons with other UC campuses

• Division-specific overall results, and reports on specific topics, will also be available soon.

2021-22 Graduate Studies Planning Form 

A short survey to prepare for the 2021 Fall quarter, conducted from May 6 to May 23, 2021. Respondents: 42% of graduate students (47% of PhD/DMA and 24% of Masters) enrolled in spring 2021.

• Questionnaire
• Results
  • Report on Graduate Studies Planning Form for 2021-22

2019 Graduate Student Survey 

Conducted in Spring/early Summer 2019. Respondents: 49% of graduate students (50% of PhD/DMA and 48% of Masters) enrolled in winter/spring 2019.

• Questionnaire
• Results
  • Completing Graduate Degrees on Time: Students Reported Reasons for Slowing Their Progress
  • Doctoral Student Feedback on Programs Offered by the Center for Innovations in Teaching and Learning (CITL)
  • Doctoral Student Feedback on TA Training

2017 Graduate Student Survey

Conducted in Spring/early Summer 2017. Respondents: 59% of graduate students (60% of PhD/DMA and 53% of Masters) enrolled in winter/spring 2017.

• Questionnaire
• Results
  • PhD students' Challenges in Developing Writing Expertise (infographic)
  • Humanities PhD students' Challenges in Developing Writing Expertise (infographic)
  • Physical & Biological Sciences PhD students' Challenges in Developing Writing Expertise (infographic)
  • Social Sciences PhD students' Challenges in Developing Writing Expertise (infographic)
  • School of Engineering PhD students' Challenges in Developing Writing Expertise (infographic)

2015 Graduate Student Survey

Conducted in Spring/early Summer 2015. Respondents: 53% of graduate students (55% of PhD/DMA and 47% of Masters) enrolled in winter/spring 2015.  

• Questionnaire

2013 Graduate Student Survey

Conducted in Spring/early Summer 2013. Respondents: 54% of graduate students enrolled in winter/spring 2013. 

• Questionnaire
• Results  
  • PhD Student Professional Development: This report summarizes the key findings on students’ self-evaluation of their preparedness to carry out various professional tasks such as conducting independent research, preparing scholarly articles for publication, and making presentations.
  • Graduate Policy Journal (published by the University of CA Student Association): Includes UCSC results from the 2013 survey.

2011 Graduate Student Survey

Conducted in Spring/early Summer 2011. Respondents: 51% of graduate students enrolled in winter/spring 2011.  The 2011 survey had an additional "common module on campus climate" and was part of the Diversity and Community Building Study.

• Questionnaire
• Results
  • Teaching Assistants’ Experiences and Training (July 2012)
  • Professional development opportunities and climate for diversity, equity and inclusion (July 2012)
  • Student Voice Practices and Departmental Climate (July 2012)

  • Recommendations for improving campus climate for graduate students Advisory Council on Campus Climate, Culture, and Inclusion (September 2012): Based on these results, the Advisory Council on Campus Climate, Culture, and Inclusion (ACCCCI) made recommendations for improving campus climate for graduate students. 

2007 Graduate Student Survey

Respondents:  UCSC graduate students enrolled in winter and/or spring 2007 quarters

• Overview of Results for Overall Graduate Student Population  -  Focus:  Provides summaries for the overall graduate student respondent population regarding survey response rates, respondent characteristics, decision to attend UCSC, financial aid, housing, campus social events, health insurance, graduate student services, and employment plans.       
• Email IRAPS with your request results by a specific department/program (with campus comparison) regarding evaluations of program/department, curriculum, resources, faculty, teaching and research experience, career preparation, funding, and overall satisfaction.