Required Prevention Trainings for New Graduate Students

In this post, we outline required tasks and trainings that all incoming graduate students must complete in order to register for spring semester classes.

Civil Rights and Open Expression on Campus

All incoming students are required to complete policy acknowledgment tasks in CalCentral, which include viewing a 30-minute video on Civil Rights and Open Expression on Campus. This will be assigned via a CalCentral task on July 21, 2026. You will receive a notification in CalCentral once it becomes available. Failure to complete this acknowledgment will result in enrollment holds.

Hazing Prevention Training

The Hazing Prevention for Incoming Graduate Students Training is required for all incoming students. This self-guided bCourse goes over hazing, laws and policies, healthy alternatives to hazing, and ways to prevent hazing as an active bystander. The course is about 30 minutes long followed by a knowledge check. The training can be accessed via self enrollment in bCourses.

The Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SVSH) Prevention Training

SVSH Prevention Training has two parts; Online & Live. Please understand it is your responsibility to complete both forms of prevention training, or you will be subject to enrollment holds until BOTH are completed. 

1. Complete the SHAPE Training (Sexual Violence and Harassment, Anti-Discrimination, Prevention and Education): All incoming students are required to complete SHAPE, UC Berkeley’s annual prevention education course. SHAPE provides a comprehensive overview of University policies, campus resources, and strategies for preventing harm and fostering a respectful, inclusive community. The training will be assigned via a CalCentral task beginning July 21, 2026 and must be completed by September 14, 2026.
2. Live Prevention Education In-person or Zoom:Incoming students must participate in a live prevention education training, “Cultivating a Respectful Graduate Community,” facilitated by the Health Promotion and PATH to Care Centers. The live session options are open to students in any department. “Cultivating a Respectful Graduate Community,” choose either in person or on zoom:

• In-person session at New Graduate Student Orientation (NGSO):
  • August 25, 1:15 – 2:15 p.m., or 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
• Or additional dates are available on Zoom

Some academic departments will be hosting their own trainings as part of the program orientation for their students. Please refer to your GSAO if you are unsure if your department is hosting their own training. 

Alternative Training to SHAPE for Survivors: If you have been impacted by sexual violence or sexual harassment, we are here to support you. The PATH to Care Center can offer you an alternative training option without potentially upsetting content for the SHAPE training as well as the live SVSH prevention education training. Please complete the SVSH Alternative Education Request Form. It also shares details about how you can connect with and access advocacy services from our PATH to Care Center.

Please note that there may be additional trainings assigned to you. For example, if you are employed on campus, you will have additional training assignments. For more details on the SVSH prevention requirements and their deadlines, please visit SVSH Prevention Education requirements.

Below you can find the full policy or you can review online along with frequently asked questions.

Thank you for sharing our commitment to fostering a safe and welcoming community where all can do their best work!

SVSH prevention education training is required for incoming students to ensure that new students are aware of our community expectations of respect, as well as your rights and resources.
You are role models for many students, mentors and teachers of undergraduates. As future professionals you need productive relationships with faculty who are your advisors or supervisors.
These different roles place you in a pivotal position to promote a culture of respect, inclusion, and prevention. Graduate students, along with the entire campus community, share responsibility for creating the culture we all want and deserve. A goal of the required training is to reinforce standards of care and respect, and to foster healthy interactions and relationships both personally and professionally.

Graduate students who are employed by the university have another crucial role: the Responsible Employee obligation under Title IX. University of California policy defines all University employees as Responsible Employees unless they are designated as Confidential Resources. This means that, generally, if you are employed by UC, you must notify the Title IX office when you learn — while you are working — about an incident or behavior that might fall under UC Berkeley’s definitions of sexual violence or sexual harassment that involves a student. If you are unsure of your role or reporting obligations in general, or in a specific matter, please refer to the Responsible Employees FAQ or contact the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (the Title IX office) for a consultation.

In all of your roles, we want you to feel informed about these issues and empowered to utilize our campus’ resources to gain knowledge and tools that can help you prevent and respond effectively to instances of sexual violence and harassment.

• Required Training: All UC campuses provide prevention education to graduate and professional students (as well as to undergraduates, staff, and faculty) and you are required to complete certain elements; see required training.
• Key informationabout your responsibilities as a part of the community. If you or someone you know is impacted by SVSH, you can also find information about confidential support, rights,  resources and reporting options. Confidential advocacy for students is available through the PATH to Care Center and theSocial Services unit at the Tang Center. Students may also utilize the Ombuds Officefor a confidential place to discuss complaints and consider their options.
• The UC Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment and the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy prohibit discrimination and harassment based on a protected category, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. You may also report hate/bias incidents to the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD).