The Writing Lab is staffed by teachers/professionals and fellow graduate students across many different programs who understand the demands of writing in graduate school.
New and early-program graduate students might be interested in our workshops. Those working toward a thesis, dissertation, or writing-heavy capstone project might want to join a graduate writing group. Students finishing up and almost ready to graduate need to know about the required format and review process. Learn more about all of it below.
Workshops for Graduate Students
Graduate Writing Essentials: A Refresher
This workshop supports graduate students navigating the demands of advanced study. It explores strategies to simplify academic writing, stay on top of heavy reading loads, and approach capstones, theses, and dissertations with confidence. Click here to learn more
Writing a Literature Review
This workshop defines the basics of effective literature reviews. It covers methods of approaching research, analyzing information, grouping sources, finding common themes and contentions, and expressing the findings in a clear and direct way. Click here to learn more
Graduate Writing Groups
Graduate Writing Groups are designed for students working on long-form writing projects. They meet for 10 weeks on Zoom for 2-hour-long facilitated writing sessions. Weekly meetings prioritize protected writing time, accountability, and habit-building in a small-group setting. Participants must commit to the full program and 80% or better attendance. Sessions follow a three-part format: 1) communal opening check-in; 2) dedicated, quiet working time; and 3) communal debrief and reflection.
Spring 2026 Graduate Writing Group:
February 23 - May 4 (no meeting during Spring Break); Mondays, 10am-12pm
Groups are limited to 10 writers. Registration is first-come/first-served. The application opens on Friday 2/6 and closes on Friday 2/13. Interested in future groups? Email: Writing.Lab@ucdenver.edu
If you’re interested in joining a group but unavailable at the above time, please indicate your availability via the application form. We will contact you if we form more groups.
Thesis & Dissertation Format/Review
Graduate students at CU Denver must format their theses and dissertations according to specific guidelines. The Writing Lab and Office of Graduate Education have developed a short Thesis and Dissertation Format Canvas module of helpful information and resources:
Self-enroll in this course through this link
Once enrolled, graduate students will find all the information they need about format requirements and the required format-review process.
The Office of Graduate Education's Thesis & Dissertation page is here.
Appointments for Help with Thesis/Dissertation Formatting
Students looking for a little extra help with the formatting requirements can schedule 1-1 appointments for support! When scheduling your appointment in WCOnline, select the City Heights Learning Commons schedule and use the "Show all Consultant Specializations" dropdown menu to select "Thesis & Dissertation Formatting."