Navigating graduate supervision and support resources
Source: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/current-students/thesis-based-students/graduate-supervision Parent: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/
Find the right graduate supervisor, understand expectations and navigate student-supervisor roles
Academic Calendar: Supervision
Supports for Graduate Students
Connect with our Graduate Academic and International Specialists
Expectations of a Graduate Student
Learn about your role as a student
Expectations of a Graduate Supervisor
What supervisors should (and shouldn't) do
Graduate Supervision at UCalgary
Strong graduate supervision is key to student success at the University of Calgary. Supervisors provide mentorship, guidance and academic support throughout a student's research journey. UCalgary follows clear policies and best practices to foster positive and professional supervisor-student relationships, ensuring students receive the support they need to achieve their academic and career goals.
Effective supervision involves clear communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to academic progress. As students develop their research and professional skills, their relationship with their supervisor may evolve to reflect growing independence. This page offers resources on supervision expectations, roles and responsibilities to help students and supervisors navigate their partnership effectively and address any challenges that may arise.
Hear from a former graduate student about the importance of your graduate supervisor, along with some key practices for a successful relationship with your supervisor.
Working with a supervisor
Best practices guide
If you are working with a supervisor, follow the best practices outlined on this website and complete the student-supervisor checklist two months after starting your program.
Conflict of interest
We endeavor to avoid bias and the perception of bias in student-faculty and student-student relations, and in supervisory and examining committees.
Changing supervision
Things to consider if you are contemplating a change in supervision.
Checklists for you and your supervisor
Complete these mandatory checklists within the first two months of working with your supervisor and submit them to your graduate program administrator.
Refer back to them regularly to stay on track and to maintain a healthy and productive student-supervisor relationship.
Expectations Checklist
Set expectations and define responsibilities for yourself as a graduate student and for your supervisor to get through your degree. Submit the signed checklist to Graduate Program Staff.
Intellectual Property
Understand how the Intellectual Property policy applies to your work. Submit the signed checklist to Graduate Program Staff.
Review the Intellectual Property (IP) FAQ for an interpretation and application of the university's IP policy.
Intellectual Property checklist
Supports for graduate students
Our academic and international specialist team welcomes all graduate students to discuss any matter impacting academic success in a safe and confidential space. The team can provide information to students regarding their registration and refer students to other helpful resources and supports across campus.
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