Graduate Studies
Graduate Degrees Offered: 2005-2006
At the University of California, San Diego all programs leading
to masters degrees and to doctoral degrees (other than the
M.D.) are under the jurisdiction of the Graduate Council and are
administered by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
The combined administrative responsibility for graduate studies
and for research reflects the intention of the San Diego campus
to emphasize the research character of graduate education. Doctoral
and most masters degrees are the culmination of creative effort
and attest to the ability of the recipient to continue original
inquiry. In addition to requiring original research, most of UCSDs
graduate programs expect their students to obtain teaching experience.
Much of the training UCSD offers takes place outside the classroomnot
only in seminars but in independent research and in tutorial work.
Students can benefit from the many visitors from other universities;
there are opportunities to study at other campuses of the University
of California; and many students become involved in the research
activities of UCSDs research institutes and centers. La Jolla
has become one of the most important intellectual centers of the
West. Not only has UCSD attracted many of the worlds great
scholars, but other research institutions located nearby such as
the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, the Burnham Institute,
and The Scripps Research Institute have enhanced the areas
reputation.
The Nature of Graduate Instruction
Graduate courses demand, on the part of both instructor and student,
a capacity for critical analysis and a degree of research interest
beyond those appropriate for undergraduate study. These courses
generally carry a number in the 200 series and may be conducted
in any of several ways: (1) as advanced lecture courses; (2) as
seminars in which faculty and students present critical studies
of selected problems within the subject field; (3) as independent
reading or study under faculty supervision; or (4) as research projects
conducted under faculty supervision. Graduate courses numbered 400499
are designed for professional programs and may not be used to satisfy
minimum graduate course requirements for degrees other than the
specific degree program for which they are offered. Courses at the
upper-division level (100197) may be taken in partial satisfaction
of the requirements for an advanced degree.
Graduate students may take lower-division courses (199)
for a letter grade, but grades earned in those courses will not
be considered in their overall grade-point average (GPA) for the
purpose of determining good standing, except for students in the
M.P.I.A. program who may take lower-division language courses for
a letter grade and for inclusion in their GPA for the purpose of
determining good standing.
The graduate student is accorded considerable liberty in choice
of courses as long as minimum departmental core course, departmental
requirements and grading standards, and residency requirements are
met.
Administration
The Office of Graduate Studies and Research
The Office of Graduate Studies and Research is administered by
the dean of Graduate Studies, who is responsible for graduate admissions;
graduate degree programs; the administration of fellowships, traineeships,
and other graduate student support; the development of new programs;
and the maintenance of common standards of high quality in graduate
programs across the campus.
The dean reports to the senior vice chancellor of Academic Affairs
and to the Graduate Council, on the administration of graduate affairs.
The Graduate Council
The Graduate Council is a standing committee of the San Diego
Division of the Academic Senate composed of faculty and graduate
students. The primary function of the council is to exercise overall
responsibility for graduate study programs and to implement systemwide
policies, procedures, requirements, and standards.
The Graduate Adviser
The graduate adviser in a department, group, or school is the
faculty member to whom graduate students direct requests for information
about graduate study in a particular program.
The graduate advisers duties include:
- Advising the dean on admission of graduate students.
- Advising graduate students regarding their programs of study
and other matters pertinent to graduate work.
- Appointing individual advisers for each graduate student.
- Approving official study lists.
- Acting on the petitions of graduate students.
- Insuring that adequate records are maintained on all graduate
students in the department, group, or school, and supplying relevant
information as requested by the dean.
- Assisting the dean of Graduate Studies in the application of
university regulations governing graduate students, graduate study,
and graduate courses.
- Advising the chair of the department and the dean of Graduate
Studies about developments of the graduate program in the department,
group, or school.
Graduate Student Association
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is the officially recognized
graduate student government at UCSD. It represents all graduate
and medical studentsincluding those at Scripps Institution
of Oceanography, the Graduate School of International Relations
and Pacific Studies, Rady School of Management, the School of Medicine,
and the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciencesin
academic, administrative, campus, and university matters. The
GSA Council,
composed of six executive officers and representatives from each
department, group and school, nominates graduate student representatives
for appointment to campus governing bodies and committees, including
the Graduate Council, the Registration Fee Committee, and the
systemwide
Student Body Presidents Council. The GSA also sponsors projects
and social activities designed to improve the academic and social
lives of students. Meetings are open to all graduate, School of
Pharmacy, and School of Medicine students.
For more information contact the GSA at (858) 534-6504.
Graduate Student Diversity
The University of California, San Diego actively recruits and
admits qualified students to graduate programs who will enhance
the diversity of UCSD graduate programs.
UCSD recognizes the value to students, faculty, staff, and the
community in having a campus which reflects the full richness and
talents of the people of California. Diversity is viewed as a campus
strength and a critical component of higher education. The campus
has a firm commitment to recruit and admit graduate students from
all demographic groups including students from traditionally underrepresented
backgrounds.
The Graduate Student Affairs Unit in the Office of Graduate Studies
and Research provides an array of counseling and advocacy services
to assist U.S. citizens and permanent residents in applying to graduate
school, obtaining financial support, and successfully completing
graduate degree programs.
UCSD offers the San Diego Fellowship Prog-ram, which is designed
to increase campus diversity. The fellowship provides two awards:
The San Diego Fellowship and the Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship.
Incoming students who have overcome significant economic, educational,
or social hardship in pursuit of their education or whose presence
would enhance campus or departmental diversity in other ways are
eligible to apply for awards through the San Diego Fellowship Program.
Refer to the Fellowship and Traineeship section for more details.
In
addition, a limited number of graduate student fellowships are
available in specific science disciplines through the National
Science Foundation, Alliance
for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) Program.
For assistance and further information about special opportunities
for underrepresented students, contact the assistant dean, Office
of Graduate Studies and Research, 518 University Center, (858) 534-3555
or (858) 534-3678.
Career Services for Graduate Students
The Career Services Center offers a wide range of programs and
services to assist graduate students with their career planning
and job search needs. Individual career counseling is available
on both an appointment and drop-in basis. In addition, workshops
and special events are regularly offered covering such areas as
resume writing, job search strategies, and nonacademic employment
options. The Career Services Center houses a career reference library
containing information on employers, job listings, alumni contact
list, salaries, sample resumes, and publications pertinent to graduate
students career issues. An online database and Internet access
computer lab is also available to assist in placement efforts. For
more information, see the Career Services section of
this catalog or visit the Career Services Office.
General Requirements for Higher Degrees
Courses and Grades
Only upper-division and graduate courses in which a student is
assigned grades A, B, C (including plus [+] or minus [–]),
D, or S are counted in satisfaction of the requirements for all
doctoral and master’s degrees. An Incomplete grade, as well
as an NR, will automatically lapse to an F or U if it has not been
removed when the final report for the degree is approved by the
Office of Graduate Studies and Research. (See also “Grades.”)
Undergraduate language courses and courses in the 400 series are
only used for degree credit in the program for the M.P.I.A. degree
offered by the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific
Studies. For course information see the section on International
Relations and Pacific Studies elsewhere in this catalog.
Registration in the Final Quarter for the Award of the Degree
A student completing course work, using university facilities
including the library, or making any demands upon faculty time (other
than final reading of the thesis or dissertation, or administering
the comprehensive or doctoral examination), must register in the
final quarter in which the degree is to be conferred. Students who
need only to submit their theses or dissertations, or to take the
comprehensive or final examination may pay a filing fee in lieu
of registration in the final quarter (see Filing Fee).
Master Degrees
Master of Advanced Study (M.A.S.)
The University of California offers graduate professional degree
programs leading to the Master of Advanced Study (M.A.S.) degree.
This degree meets the needs of working professionals continuing
in educational programs. While some M.A.S. programs are tailored
to career advancement, other programs enable individuals to pursue
new career directions or advanced study in the liberal arts. Each
M.A.S. program accommodates flexible, part-time, academically qualified
working adults who cannot be full-time students. All M.A.S. degree
programs must be in conformity with one of the following two plans:
Plan I. Thesis Plan or Plan II. Comprehensive Examination Plan.
Pending program approval, an alternative capstone plan is a third
option. Specific degree requirements, curriculum, and other details
are available with each individual program.
Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.S.)
The master of arts and master of science degrees are offered under
two plans: Plan I, Thesis, and Plan II, Comprehensive Examination.
Since some departments offer both plans, with varying unit requirements,
students should consult with their advisers before selecting a plan
for completion of degree requirements.
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
The MBA is a professional degree that provides distinguished education
in the theory and practice of management. The program provides a
comprehensive education in the fundamental disciplines of business
coupled with a focus on the business and management issues faced
by technology and innovation driven companies. Students interested
in becoming managers and leaders in such companies and in understanding
the role that technologies play in driving the global business marketplaces
will be well suited for the Rady School of Management. For degree
requirements and curriculum, please refer to the school.
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
The Teacher Education Program offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.)/Multiple
Subject Credential to authorize teaching grades K6, and a
Masters of Education (M.Ed.)/Single Subject Credential for teaching
712 grades is offered in the subject areas of biology, chemistry,
geoscience, English, mathematics, and physics. Degree requirements,
curriculum, and other details regarding the program may be obtained
from the Teacher Education Program.
Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
Several departments in the School of Engineering offer the Master
of Engineering (M.Eng.). The M.Eng. is a terminal degree designed
to address the technical needs of engineers. Degree requirements,
curriculum, and other details regarding the program may be obtained
from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the
Department of Bioengineering.
Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)
The Master of Fine Arts degree is offered in the Departments of
Theatre and Dance, and Visual Arts under a modified thesis plan.
A short written thesis that may be regarded as a position paper,
presenting a descriptive background for the students work,
is required. There is no written final examination, but great weight
is given to the candidates final presentation and the oral
defense of the thesis.
Master of Pacific International Affairs (M.P.I.A.)
The Master of Pacific International Affairs program provides training
for those interested in pursuing professional careers in international
affairs and international management with an emphasis on the countries
of the Pacific Rim. For degree requirements and curriculum, please
refer to the International Relations and Pacific Studies description
under the catalog listings of programs of instruction.
Programs of Study
Plan I: Thesis Plan
A minimum of at least thirty-six quarter-units are required: eighteen
units in graduate courses, including a minimum of twelve units in
graduate-level courses in the major field; twelve additional units
in graduate or upper-division courses; and six units in research
course work leading to the thesis. Consult your department for specific
unit and course requirements.
Following advancement to candidacy, the student electing Plan
I must submit a thesis. The thesis committee, appointed by the chair
of the department or group and approved by the dean of Graduate
Studies, consists of at least three faculty members, with at least
two from the candidates major department.
Information covering thesis preparation is contained in the publication,
Instructions for the Preparation and Submission of Doctoral
Dissertations and Masters Theses, which can be found
on the Web site www.ogsr.ucsd.edu/studentpublications/bluebook/.
The completed thesis is submitted to the thesis committee for review.
When all members of the committee have approved the thesis, a
Final Report of the Thesis for the Master of Arts or Master of Science
Degree under Plan I must be completed. The candidate submits the
thesis to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research and upon approval
by the dean of Graduate Studies, files the thesis with the university
archivist who accepts it on behalf of the Graduate Council. Acceptance
of the thesis by the archivist with a subsequent second approval
by the dean of Graduate Studies represents the final step in the
completion of all requirements by the candidate for a master of
arts or master of science degree on the San Diego campus.
Plan II: Comprehensive Examination Plan
A minimum of at least thirty-six quarter-units are required: twenty-four
units in graduate courses, including a minimum of fourteen units
in graduate-level courses in the major field; and twelve additional
units in graduate or upper-division courses. Consult your department
for specific unit and course requirements.
Apprentice Teaching
A maximum of six units of 500-level courses (apprentice teaching)
may be credited toward the degree requirements.
Academic Residence
The minimum residence requirement is three academic quarters,
at least one of which must follow advancement to candidacy. Academic
residence is met by satisfactory completion of six units or more
per quarter, some of which must be graduate level.
A candidate must be registered in the quarter in which the degree
is to be awarded. (See Registration in the Final Quarter for
the Award of the Degree.)
Advancement to Candidacy
After completing all preliminary requirements of the major with
a GPA equivalent to 3.0 in upper-division and graduate course work
undertaken, a total of no more than eight units of F and/or U grades,
and a minimum of two quarters or more of residency, the student
may file an Application for Candidacy for the Thesis or Comprehensive
Examination, Plan I or II, for the Master of Arts or Master of Science
Degree. An Application for Candidacy must be filed no later than
two weeks after the first day of the quarter in which degree requirements
are to be completed. (See Academic Calendar.)
Following advancement to candidacy, the student electing Plan
II must pass a comprehensive examination administered by the major
department. A Final Report of the Comprehensive Examination for
the Master of Arts or Master of Science Degree under Plan II is
used to report successful completion of the examination requirement.
Transferring Credit
With the approval of the major department and the dean of Graduate
Studies, upper-division and graduate course work completed with
a grade of B or better while in graduate standing at another
campus of the University of California may be accepted in satisfaction
of one of the three quarters of residence and up to one-half of
the quarter-units of credit required for the masters degree
at UCSD.
On the recommendation of the major department and with the approval
of the dean of Graduate Studies, a maximum of eight quarter-units
of credit for work completed with a grade of B or better in
graduate standing at an institution other than the University of
California may be applied toward a masters degree at UCSD.
Courses used must be taken prior to matriculation at UCSD.
In any case, no more than a total of one-half of the units required
for a masters degree may be transferred in from any UC or
other institutions. Courses used for a previous degree may not be
transferred. A letter from the institution from which the courses
are being transferred will be required stating the courses were
not used toward another degree.
Course work approved for transfer credit will not be included
in calculating a students grade-point average, regardless
of the source.
Program of Study
Plan III: Modified Thesis Program
Seventy-two quarter-units for visual arts and ninety quarter-units
for theatre, with a GPA equivalent to 3.0 in upper-division and
graduate course work undertaken, are required for a Master of Fine
Arts degree. Information covering thesis preparation is contained
in the publication, Instructions for the Preparation and Submission
of Doctoral Dissertations and Masters Theses, which
can be found on the Web site www.ogsr.ucsd.edu/studentpublications/bluebook/.
The completed thesis is submitted to the thesis committee for review.
Following the filing of an Application for Candidacy for the Modified
Thesis, Plan III, the candidate must submit a thesis. The thesis
committee, appointed by the chair of the department and approved
by the dean of Graduate Studies, consists of four faculty members;
three from the department and one, preferably tenured, from outside
the department.
When all members of the committee have approved the thesis, a
Final Report of the Modified Thesis Examination, Plan III, for the
Master of Fine Arts degree must be completed. Approval by the dean
of Graduate Studies and subsequent acceptance of the thesis by the
university archivist, Special Collections, represents the final
step in the completion of all requirements by the candidate for
a Master of Fine Arts degree on the San Diego campus.
Academic Residence
The minimum residence requirement is six academic quarters for
visual arts and eight academic quarters for theatre, at least one
of which must follow advancement to candidacy in either program.
Academic residence is met by satisfactory completion of six units
or more per quarter, some of which must be graduate level. The entire
residence requirement must be satisfied at UCSD.
A candidate must be registered in the quarter in which the degree
is to be awarded. (See Registration in the Final Quarter.)
Advancement to Candidacy
After completing all preliminary requirements of the department
with a GPA equivalent to 3.0 in upper-division and graduate course
work undertaken, a total of no more than eight units of F and/ or
U grades, and a minimum of five quarters of residency, the student
may file an Application for Candidacy for the Modified Thesis, Plan
III, for the Master of Fine Arts Degree. An application for candidacy
must be filed no later than two weeks after the first day of the
quarter in which degree requirements are to be completed. (See Academic
Calendar.)
Graduate Work Completed Elsewhere
In exceptional circumstances, a student may be given a leave of
absence for the purpose of studying elsewhere. While appropriate
credit may be allowed for course work completed elsewhere with a
grade of B or better in a graduate program, the period involved
will not reduce the UCSD academic residence requirement of six academic
quarters for visual arts and eight quarters for theatre.
Doctoral Degrees
Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.)
The Au.D. is a professional doctoral degree offered jointly with
San Diego State University (SDSU). The four-year degree program
is designed for individuals who intend to specialize in clinical
practice and to meet professional standards requiring a clinical
doctorate as the entry-level degree for a certified audiologist.
Graduates of this program will have the knowledge base, research
exposure, and advanced clinical skills to enter the workforce in
any setting, and be prepared to function as independent audiology
professionals in the expanding health care arena. For degree requirements
and curriculum, please refer to the Audiology section in the catalog.
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
The Ed.D. is a professional degree in which regional professional
educators gain content knowledge as well as specific skills related
to instructional leadership within the K–12 and postsecondary
educational community. Advanced Ed.D. students will conduct research
on professional practice within their own institution addressing
specific local problems that have national implications for education.
For degree requirements and curriculum, please refer to the Teacher
Education Program section in this catalog.
Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)
The DMA degree emphasizes the dual preparation for professional
careers in the performance of contemporary music, as well as in
the equally demanding area of teaching these skills on an advanced
level. Candidates for this degree are expected to demonstrate musical
excellence, artistic maturity, and the capability for doing original
scholarly work. For degree requirements and curriculum, please refer
to the Department of Music description under the catalog listings
of programs of instruction.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
The doctor of philosophy degree is a research oriented degree
which requires individual study and specialization within a field
or the establishment of connections among fields. It is not awarded
solely for the fulfillment of technical requirements such as academic
residence and course work. Candidates are recommended for the doctorate
in recognition of having mastered in depth the subject matter of
their discipline and having demonstrated the ability to make original
contributions to knowledge in their field of study. More generally,
the degree constitutes an affidavit of critical aptitude in scholarship,
imaginative enterprise in research, and proficiency in communication,
includingin most departmentspractice in teaching.
Program of Study
The students program of study is determined in consultation
with the adviser who supervises the students activities until
the appointment of the doctoral committee. A doctoral program generally
involves two stages.
The first stage requires at least three quarters of academic residence
and is spent in fulfilling the requirements established by the Academic
Senate and by the major department, group, or school. When the department
considers the student ready to take the qualifying examination,
it arranges for the appointment of a doctoral committee. Immediately
upon passing the qualifying examination administered by the doctoral
committee, the student advances to candidacy.
The second or in-candidacy stage is devoted primarily to independent
study and research and to the preparation of the dissertation. A
minimum interval of three quarters of academic residence must elapse
between advancement to candidacy and the filing and final defense
of the dissertation.
Foreign Language Requirements
Some doctoral programs require candidates to demonstrate language
proficiency in one or more languages as part of the formal requirements
for the degree. In these cases, the testing of proficiency
is the responsibility of the department, group, or school concerned.
Doctoral Time Limits
All graduate students in doctoral programs are subject to campus
policy on time limits to their degree. Each graduate program has
three time limits pertaining to students academic progress
toward the doctoral degree:
(1) the registered time by which a student must advance to doctoral
candidacy; (2) the registered time during which a doctoral student
is eligible for support; and (3) the registered time by which a
student must complete all doctoral requirements. Students will not
be permitted to continue in doctoral status beyond the pre-candidacy
and total registered time limits. Students will not be permitted
to receive UCSD-administered financial support beyond the support
limit. Information about these time limits is given in the descriptions
of each departments graduate program in this catalog and departmental
publications.
University policy requires that graduate students be continuously
registeredunless on an approved leave of absencefrom
the first quarter of enrollment to completion of degree requirements.
(See Continuous Registration and Leave of Absence.)
For purposes of calculating when precandidacy and total registered
time limits are reached, accrued time is the elapsed time from first
enrollment as a graduate student at UCSD less (a) time withdrawn
or on approved leave of absence, and (b) time between completion
of one graduate program at UCSD and first registration in another.
For the support time limit, a maximum of three quarters of approved
leave or withdrawal may be deducted from elapsed time in calculating
accrued time. Time spent in graduate study at another institution
or University of California campus prior to beginning graduate study
at UCSD will not count toward accrued time, with the exception of
students entering the doctoral program in electrical engineering,
computer science, or music who have earned a masters degree
in that discipline. All of the following will count toward accrued
time: time spent at UCSD as a masters, non-degree, or intercampus
exchange graduate student; time spent on leave beyond three quarters;
time spent between completion of or withdrawal from a graduate program
at UCSD and re-registration in the same field of study. Pre-candidacy
and total registered time limits will not accrue during periods
of leave of absence and/or withdrawal in excess of three quarters.
Further information may be obtained from departmental graduate
coordinators or the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
Academic Residence
The minimum residence requirement for a doctoral degree is six
quarters, three of which must be in continuous academic residence
at UCSD. Residency is established by the satisfactory completion
of six units or more per quarter, at least some of which must be
at the graduate level. Joint doctoral students meet the UCSD academic
residency requirement by successfully completing a minimum of thirty-six
units of course work at UCSD.
A candidate must be registered in the final quarter in which the
degree is to be awarded. (See Registration in the Final Quarter.)
The Doctoral Committee
At least three weeks prior to a scheduled qualifying examination,
the department requests approval for the appointment of the doctoral
committee by the dean of Graduate Studies. This committee conducts
the qualifying examination, supervises the preparation of and passes
upon the dissertation, and administers the final examination.
The committee consists of five or more officers of instruction,
no fewer than four of whom shall hold professorial titles of any
rank. The committee members shall be chosen from two or more departments/programs;
at least two members shall represent academic specialties that differ
from the students field and one of these two must be a tenured
UCSD faculty member from another department. Consult the departmental
graduate coordinator or the Office of Graduate Studies and Research
for further details.
Reconstituted Doctoral Committee
For a variety of reasons a doctoral committee may need to be reconstituted.
The request for reconstitution of the membership of a doctoral committee
must be submitted on a reconstitution form to the dean of Graduate
Studies by the chair of the candidates major department, group,
or school no less than two weeks prior to the qualifying examination
or defense of the dissertation. The request must include departmental
affiliation of the members of the proposed reconstituted committee
and the reason(s) for requesting the change.
Qualifying Examination and Advancement to Candidacy
The doctoral committee administers the qualifying examination
and authorizes the issuance of the Report of the Qualifying Examination
and Advancement to Candidacy. Formal advancement to candidacy requires
the student to pay a candidacy fee to the cashier prior to submitting
the form to the dean of Graduate Studies for approval. Students
must maintain a GPA equivalent to 3.0 or better in upper-division
and graduate course work undertaken with a total of no more than
eight units of F and/or U grades in order to take the qualifying
examination and advance to candidacy.
If the committee does not issue a unanimous report on the examination,
the dean of Graduate Studies shall be called upon to review and
present the case for resolution to the Graduate Council, which shall
determine appropriate action.
Dissertation and Final Examination
A draft of the doctoral dissertation should be submitted to each
member of the doctoral committee at least four weeks before the
final examination. The form of the final draft must conform to procedures
outlined in the publication, Instructions for the Preparation
and Submission of Doctoral Dissertations and Masters Theses,
which can be found on the Web site www.ogsr.ucsd.edu/studentpublications/bluebook/.
The doctoral committee shall supervise and pass on the candidates
dissertation and conduct the final oral examination which shall
be public and so announced.
If the committee does not issue a unanimous report on the examination,
the dean of Graduate Studies shall be called upon to review and
present the case for resolution to the Graduate Council, which shall
determine appropriate action.
The Report of the Final Examination and Filing of the Dissertation
for the Doctoral Degree form is initiated by the department, group,
or school, signed by members of the doctoral committee, and the
chair of the (major) department, group, or school.
The candidate submits the dissertation to the Office of Graduate
Studies and Research and, upon approval by the dean of Graduate
Studies, files the dissertation with the university archivist, who
accepts it on behalf of the Graduate Council. Acceptance of the
dissertation by the archivist, with a subsequent second approval
by the dean of Graduate Studies, represents the final step in the
completion by the candidate of all requirements for the doctoral
degree. All dissertations and theses submitted in partial satisfaction
of doctoral or masters degree requirements shall be catalogued
and shelved in the university library and dissertations shall be
submitted to University Microfilms, Inc., for publication.
Candidate in Philosophy Degree
In several departments, as approved by the Graduate Council, the
intermediate degree of candidate in philosophy (C.Phil.) is awarded
to students upon advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.
The minimum residence requirement for this degree is three quarters
of continuous academic residence at UCSD. The C.Phil. degree cannot
be conferred simultaneously with or following the award of a Ph.D.
degree.
Letter of Completion
The Office of Graduate Studies and Research will direct the Office
of the Registrar to issue a Letter of Completion to a graduate student
who has completed all requirements for a higher degree but whose
diploma has not yet been issued.
Postgraduate Appointments
A UCSD graduate student is not eligible for any UCSD postdoctoral
appointment until all requirements for the doctoral degree have
been
completed. Such appointments may begin after the university archivist
has accepted the dissertation and the Office of Graduate Studies
and Research has accepted the final report.
Special Degree Programs
Graduate Programs in the Health Sciences
The university offers research training programs in the health
sciences leading to the doctor of philosophy degree. The purpose
of these graduate programs is to prepare students for careers in
research and teaching in the basic medical sciences. Program requirements
are flexible, consisting of graduate courses and supervised laboratory
or clinical investigation. Graduate programs in the health sciences
are offered by (1) regular campuswide departments with activities
related to the health sciences, for example, the Departments of
Bioengineering, Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Psychology
and (2) interdisciplinary groups of faculty drawn from the School
of Medicine and from campuswide departments or from San Diego State
University.
The following departments or interdisciplinary graduate groups
provide research training opportunities in the biomedical sciences
and should be contacted directly for further information: biomedical
sciences, biochemistry (in either biology or chemistry and biochemistry),
bioengineering, bioinformatics, biology, biophysics, chemistry,
clinical psychology, molecular pathology, neurosciences, physics,
psychology, public health (in either epidemiology or health behavior),
and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Ph.D.-M.D. Program
Students may meet the requirements for both the Ph.D. and M.D.
degrees in programs offered jointly by the School of Medicine and
the graduate programs in the health sciences. In most cases, students
are first admitted to the School of Medicine and may then apply
for admission to a relevant graduate program. However, those students
who wish to be considered for admission to the Medical Scientist
Training Program (MSTP) may apply for admission to the School of
Medicine and the MSTP concurrently.
Elements of the first two years of the medical school curriculum
satisfy many of the requirements of the graduate program, but additional
courses will be required. Thus, the student must complete requirements
for the Ph.D. in accordance with the regulations of a department
or a group and must in addition meet the requirements for the professional
degree. Students interested in such programs should consult the
associate dean for Student Affairs, School of Medicine.
Joint Doctoral Programs
Certain departments of the University of California cooperate
with similar departments on the several campuses in the California
State University System to offer joint programs of study leading
to the doctoral degree. At UCSD, joint doctoral programs in audiology,
biology, chemistry, clinical psychology, language and communicative
disorders, engineering sciences (applied mechanics), mathematics
and science education, and public health (in either epidemiology
or health behavior) are currently offered in conjunction with San
Diego State University, and in educational leadership in conjunction
with San Diego State University and California State University
San Marcos. A Ph.D. in drama and theatre is offered
in conjunction with University of California, Irvine. Applicants
interested in these joint programs should consult the Departments
of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Communicative Disorders,
Mechanical Engineering, Psychology, Surgery, Theatre and Dance;
or the Office of the Dean, College of Engineering; or the Center
for Research in Mathematics and Science Education; or School of
Public Health at San Diego State University. Joint doctoral students
meet the UCSD academic residency requirement by successfully completing
a minimum of thirty-six units of course work at UCSD.
Special Programs
Intercampus Exchange Program for Graduate Students
A graduate student registered on any campus of the University
of California, who wishes to take advantage of educational opportunities
for study and research available on another campus of the university,
must apply to become an intercampus exchange student on that UC
campus. UCSD students must have completed at least one quarter of
study and be in good standing prior to beginning an exchange.
Informal arrangements between departmental faculty on the two
campuses must be undertaken prior to submission of a students
application to assure that space in desired courses, seminars, or
facilities will be available.
No later than four weeks prior to the opening of the term on the
host campus, a student must complete the Application for Intercampus
Exchange Program for Graduate Students available at the Office of
Graduate Studies and Research. This application, approved by the
students departmental graduate adviser and and the graduate
dean of the home campus, is forwarded for approval by the department
and the graduate dean on the host campus.
Students participating in an intercampus exchange must pay all
required fees and enroll as appropriate at the home campus. Evidence
of fee payment, at the home campus, must be presented to enroll
in classes at the host campus.
An exchange student is not admitted to graduate standing at the
host campus, but is considered a graduate student in residence at
the home campus. Grades obtained in courses taken by the student
enrolled in the intercampus graduate student exchange program are
transferred to the home campus for entry on the students official
record. Library, health center, and other student privileges are
extended by the host campus.
Off-Campus Study
(Other than Intercampus Exchange Program)
If the research and study program of a graduate student requires
being off campus for extended periods of five weeks or more, the
student may apply for off-campus study. During such periods a student
is required to remain a registered student at UCSD and to carry
twelve units of course work or research.
If the off-campus study is outside the state of California, one-half
of the registration fee may be waived. All required fees including,
but not limited to the full educational fee, student center fee,
recreation facility fee, health insurance fee, and nonresident fee,
if applicable, must be paid.
A graduate student who holds a fellowship, traineeship, or a research
assistantship and desires to study off campus may do so under the
following circumstances: The student must have completed at least
one year of graduate study at UCSD, obtained the approvals of the
academic department and the dean of Graduate Studies, and agreed
to comply with the rules and regulations governing the award or
appointment.
Regulations concerning accepting additional awards or compensation
for appointments as outlined under the financial assistance section
apply to off-campus study as well as on-campus study.
UCSD Extension
Students wishing to offer UCSD Extension course work taken prior
to admission at UCSD as a graduate student in partial satisfaction
of requirements for a masters degree must file a General Petition
with the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. Acceptance of
such course work is subject to the regulations on Transferring
Credit (which are described elsewhere in this catalog) the
recommendation of the major department, and approval of the dean
of Graduate Studies, and will be considered upon satisfactory completion
of course work in a regular session.
COMPLIMENTARY ENROLLMENT
Through a reciprocal agreement with UCSD Extension, a limited
number of spaces in extension classes are open to full-time graduate
students (registered for twelve units or more) in good standing
without payment of additional fees. The number of spaces available
for each quarter varies. The student must obtain a UCSD Application
for Enrollment from the Office of Graduate Studies and Research
and personally secure the necessary approvals. Course work taken
through Complimentary Enrollment cannot be used in partial satisfaction
of requirements for a masters degree, nor can it be used toward
the twelve unit full-time enrollment requirement.
Education Abroad Program
Graduate students may apply to study at most Education Abroad
Program (EAP) host institutions, provided that they meet EAP requirements
and have completed at least one year of graduate work prior to departure,
are in good standing, and have the support of their academic department
and graduate dean.
Costs vary according to location.
Students pay fees to the University of California and are enrolled
at UCSD while abroad. Full academic credit is received for courses
satisfactorily completed.
At UCSD, complete information and application forms for the various
overseas campuses may be obtained from the Programs Abroad Office,
International Center, University Center, 0018 or on the Programs
Abroad Web site http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/icenter/.
In addition, the Programs Abroad Office also offers information
and advisory services to graduate and undergraduate students interested
in pursuing other activities involving study, research, work, or
travel abroad.
For a detailed list of the countries with EAP study centers, see
also Education Abroad Program in chapter entitled Courses,
Curricula, and Programs of Instruction. Study abroad information
is also available online by accessing the EAP Web site http://www.uoeap.ucsb.edu.
Postdoctoral Education
Postdoctoral education emphasizes scholarship and continued research
training for individuals who have recently completed a doctoral
degree. The Postdoctoral Scholar conducts research under the general
oversight of a faculty mentor in preparation for a career position
in academe, industry, government, or the nonprofit sector.
The Office of Graduate Studies and Research has responsibility for the administrative
management of the Postdoctoral Scholar Program. Interested candidates should
directly contact the department, research unit, or faculty member for information
on available positions or training opportunities. The department or research
unit initiates all appointments.
Postdoctoral Scholars are eligible for the UC Postdoctoral Scholar Benefits Program,
academic photo identification card, and access to campus resources (library,
recreation facilities, etc.).
Fees
The following schedule of fees is anticipated for the 20052006
academic year:
Fees Per Quarter*
|
Resident |
Nonresident |
Tuition
Registration
Educational
Student Center
Recreational Facilities
Graduate Student Assoc.
Health Insurance
Totals |
$
238.00
1,852.00
37.00
92.00
12.00
391.00
$2,622.50 |
$4,898.00
238.00
1,934.00
37.50
92.00
12.00
391.00
$7,602.50 |
Miscellaneous Fees and Fines
Students should also be aware of the following charges:
Application fee for admission
Dometic
International
Duplicate Photo-ID card
Petition for Readmission
Advancement to Candidacy for Ph.D.
Transcript of Record
Late payment of fees (Late registration)
Late enrollment
Late and retroactive Add/Drop
Returned check collection
Filing fee
UCSD Statement Late Charge |
$60
80
10
40
50
5
50
50
3
25
119
25
|
* Subject to change without notice. Updated information
regarding fees may be found on the Web site http://ogsr.ucsd.edu/financialinfo/gradstudent/tuition_fees/
index.htm.
All receipts for payments made to the cashier, whatever their
nature, should be carefully preserved. Not only do they constitute
evidence that financial obligations have been discharged, but they
may be required to support a claim that certain documents or petitions
have been filed.
**Fees for graduate students approved for enrollment in a half-time
program (not to exceed six units) may be reduced by one-half of
the Educational fee and one-half of nonresident tuition for nonresidents.
California Residency and the Nonresident Tuition Fee
Each new student entering UCSD is required to submit a Statement
of Legal Residence to the Office of the Registrar. No tuition is
charged to students classified as residents of California. Nonresidents,
however, are required to pay a quarterly tuition fee.
A complete statement covering California residence requirements,
determination of residence for tuition purposes, and/or recognized
exceptions appears in the section Residence Requirements
or on the Web site https://hollerith.ucsd.edu/cgibin/studentlink.p1/5/students/finances/residency/.
Additional information may be obtained from the Campus Residence
Deputy, Office of the Registrar, Building 301, University Center.
No other university personnel are authorized to supply information
relative to residence requirements for tuition purposes. Students
seeking to establish California residency for tuition purposes are
advised to review the requirements and deadlines. Adherence to the
published deadlines is the responsibility of each student and is
essential. Exceptions to waive or extend deadlines are not considered.
To the extent funds are available, subject to change, waiver of
nonresident tuition may be granted to spouses and dependent, unmarried
children under age twenty-one of university faculty members who
are qualified for membership in the Academic Senate. Inquiries should
be directed to the Office of the Registrar or the Academic Senate
Office.
University Registration Fee
The university registration fee is a quarterly fee required of
all registered students, and it must be paid at the time of the
students registration. This fee is for services which benefit
the student and are complementary to, but not part of, the regular
instructional programs of the university. No part of this fee is
refunded to students who do not make use of these services; however,
students who petition and are approved for out-of-state study will
receive a waiver for one-half of the registration fee. Exemption
from this fee may be granted to surviving children of certain deceased
California fire fighters or police officers. Students who believe
they may qualify for an exemption on this basis must consult with
the Student Financial Services Office, Building 201, University
Center, for a ruling.
Student Health Services and Insurance Plans
The Student Health Service (SHS) is a nationally accredited health
care facility providing primary health care for no or minimal charge
during the academic year for all students who pay the university
registration fee. Students with the Graduate Student Health Insurance
Plan (GSHIP) in the spring have access to the SHS during the summer
at no additional charge. Students without GSHIP may be seen in
the summer for a modest fee. Additional information on the wide
variety of services available at SHS is available via the Web at
http://studenthealth.ucsd.edu.
SHS provides primary health care
to all students with GSHIP. Access to GSHIP benefits requires
written SHS referral except in cases of emergency care or 100
miles out of the UCSD area.
The Graduate Student Health Insurance (GSHIP)
GSHIP is a mandatory year-round insurance plan for graduate and
professional students unless a waiver has been granted (see WAIVERS).
Students must be enrolled in GSHIP for the spring quarter in order
to retain coverage through summer. Three quarterly payments will
provide year-round coverage under GSHIP. The spring quarter premium
extends insurance coverage through the summer quarter.
Benefits and additional information may be viewed at the Web site
http://studenthealth.ucsd.edu.
Premium payment for GSHIP is due
with the payment of the registration fee. Premiums for students
holding graduate academic appointment titles for a full academic
term at 25 percent time or greater will be paid directly by the university.
Premiums for most students holding fellowships and training grants
are also paid directly. Loans to cover premiums may be available
for students who receive need-based financial assistance.
For first-year
students arriving on campus prior to the start of the academic
calendar year, it is highly recommended that the student review
current insurance
status and purchase short term coverage if necessary. Insurance information
may be obtained by calling the insurance counselor at (858) 534-2123.
REFUNDS
No premium refunds are permitted, except when a student withdraws
on or prior to the first day of classes, in which case a full refund
of the premium will be made and coverage for that quarter will
be canceled effective from the first day of the quarter. If an
insured enters the armed forces, a pro-rata refund of premium paid
will be made upon request. Refunds for all other fees are subject
to the Refund Fee Schedule published in the Schedule of Classes.
That refund schedule is effective beginning on the first day of
the quarter and counts all calendar days. Students cannot expect
exceptions to this schedule, regardless of the circumstances of
the leave of absence/withdrawal request.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
A student is eligible to be enrolled in GSHIP when on approved
Leave of Absence for a total of one academic quarter. A student
on approved leave is responsible for his or her health insurance
enrollment, premium payment, and
Student Health Service fee payment. Enrollment in GSHIP is through
the Student Health Insurance Office currently in Building 959 directly
across from the Gilman Parking Structure.
WAIVERS
Students already insured under a policy containing benefits equal
to or better than GSHIP may be eligible for GSHIP waivers for up
to one academic year. Documents required for a waiver are: 1) student’s
written request, 2) proof of present insurance and premium payment
to the end of the quarter, 3) a copy of the summary of insurance
benefits, and 4) a copy of the insurance identification cards.
Submit written requests with all required documents directly to
UCSD, Student Health Insurance Office, 9500 Gilman Drive, Dept.
0061, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0061 no later than the last business
day of the first week of the quarter. The insurance coordinator
will mail final decisions regarding waiver requests to the student.
Educational Fee
The educational fee was established as a required fee for all
students beginning with the fall quarter 1970. It is used to cover
a variety of educational costs as determined by the regents. The
educational fee may be reduced by one-half for students enrolled
in six units or fewer (see Part-time Study).
Student Center Fee
Every student is required to pay a student center fee each quarter.
Recreation Facility Fee
Every student is required to pay a recreation facility fee each
quarter.
Reduced Fee Enrollments
- One-half of the established registration fee may be waived for
graduate students whose research or study requires them to remain
outside the state of California for five weeks or more of the
quarter. Students must file a General Petition for this privilege.
The reduction pertains to one-half of the registration fee only.
A student must pay, in addition, all required fees including,
but not limited to, the educational fee, student center fee, recreation
facility fee, health insurance fee, and nonresident tuition fee,
if applicable.
- Graduate students approved for enrollment in a half-time program
(not to exceed six units) are eligible for a reduction in fees
of one-half the educational fee, and, if applicable, one-half
of the nonresident tuition fee.
- A full-time employee who is not subject to nonresident tuition,
who has worked full time for the university for at least six months
prior to the latest date that registration will be accepted, and
who meets the admission requirements of the university is eligible
for two-thirds reduction of both the university registration fee
and the university educational fee for up to nine units or three
regular session university courses per quarter, whichever is greater.
An employee so registered is ineligible for the services and facilities
of the Counseling Center, recreation facilities, or the Student
Health Services, other than those services to which the employee
is regularly entitled (University of California Staff Personnel
Policy 260.23). Authorization for this privilege is secured from
the Staff Personnel Office for staff employees, or from the Academic
Personnel Office for individuals on academic appointments.
NOTE: In accordance with Academic Senate regulations, no
voting member of the San Diego Division of the Academic Senate shall
be recommended for a higher degree from UCSD unless the dean of
Graduate Studies shall have certified that all requirements for
that degree have been met prior to the appointment to a rank carrying
the voting privilege.
Filing Fee
A student registered in the immediately preceding quarter, or
on an approved leave of absence who has completed all requirements
except for the final reading of the dissertation or thesis or the
taking of the final examination is eligible to petition to pay a
filing fee in lieu of registering and paying all required fees in
the final quarter. The filing fee applies to both residents and
nonresidents. Students must apply for this privilege by means of
a General Petition.
Refund of Fees
Students who withdraw from the university during the first five
weeks of instruction (35 calendar days) may receive partial refunds
of fees, excluding health insurance, if applicable. The date of
withdrawal, as related to the fee refund schedule, shall be the
date on which notice of withdrawal is submitted to the Office of
Graduate Studies and Research (OGSR). See Schedule of Classes for
schedule of refunds.
Parking Fee
Students who park motor vehicles, including motorcycles, on the
campus are subject to parking fees. (See Parking, in
chapter entitled Campus Services and Facilities.)
Penalty Fees
Penalty fees (see Fees), are charged for failure to
comply with normal deadline dates. To avoid such fines, students
should fulfill all requirements in advance of the deadlines listed
in the Schedule of Classes.
Transcript Fees
Students may obtain transcripts of their UCSD records from the
Office of the Registrar for $6 for each copy. Transcripts must be
requested several days in advance of date needed.
Late Fees
Students are responsible for meeting quarterly enrollment and
registration (fees payment) deadlines which are published on StudentLink,
in the Schedule of Classes, and a variety of student-directed Web
sites and publications. A $50 late fee will be assessed for late
enrollment and/or late registration up to $100 total. Late enrollment
automatically causes late registration as payments cannot be credited
to a students account until enrollment occurs. Late fee waivers
are rarely granted and only in extenuating and verifiable circumstances.
Only certain staff in the Office of Graduate Studies and Research
(OGSR) are authorized to grant waivers.
Financial Assistance
Several kinds of financial assistance are available to graduate
students at UCSD. These include fellowships and traineeships; assistantships
in teaching, language instruction, and research; scholarships in
full or partial payment of tuition and/or fees; and loans and grants-in-aid.
Further details about these awards/appointments may be obtained
from departmental, group, or school offices.
Descriptions in this section deal entirely with awards administered
directly by the university.
Applicants for financial assistance should note the following:
Pursuant to Section 7 of the Privacy Act of 1974, applicants
for student financial aid or benefits are hereby notified that mandatory
disclosure of their Social Security number is required by the University
of California to verify the identity of each applicant. Social Security
numbers are used in processing the data given in the financial aid
application; in the awarding of funds; in the coordination of information
with applications for federal, state, university, and private awards
or benefits; and in the collection of funds and tracing of individuals
who have borrowed funds from federal, state, university, or private
loan programs.
Fellowships and Traineeships
Regents Fellowships, offered to students with excellent academic
and research qualifications, provide a stipend of $18,000 for
nine
or ten months, plus tax-free resident fees and nonresident tuition,
if applicable. These awards may be supplemented with a partial
graduate
student researcher or research fellowship from available departmental
resources. The amount of the supplement varies by department.
The San Diego Fellowship is designed to increase the quality of
education and research by enhancing campus diversity. Currently
it provides a minimum stipend of $1,000 per month plus resident
fees and one year of nonresident tuition. These awards are usually
given for two years. Academic departments are responsible for two
additional years of support for the Ph.D., D.M.A., or Ed.D. students
awarded this fellowship. Look online at http://ogsr.ucsd.edu/fellowships/ for further information.
The seven most outstanding nominees for the San Diego Fellowship
are awarded the Cota-Robles Fellowship. Fellows receive a $15,000
stipend plus fees for two years. Nonresident fellows are eligible
for a tuition scholarship in their first year. Doctoral fellows
are guaranteed comparable departmental support for at least two
additional years.
The Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP)
program is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This
fellowship is awarded to a limited number of new underrepresented
graduate students in
selected programs in science, mathematics, and engineering. For
further information, look online at http://ogsr.ucsd.edu/nep/index.htm.
All other fellowship stipends are established by the department,
group, or school and may vary in tenure from one to twelve months
and in any amount up to a maximum of $3,000 per month. Fellowships
awarded for one, two, or three quarters will also provide tax-free
resident fees and nonresident tuition, if applicable. Awardees must
register for twelve units of upper-division and graduate-level work
each quarter and must remain in good academic standing, as described
under Standards of Scholarship of this catalog.
Fellows and trainees on twelve-month tenure are required to devote
full time to graduate study and research during the summer as well
as during the academic year. A brief resume of proposed summer graduate
study or research, approved by the appropriate adviser, must be
filed with the dean of Graduate Studies before the end of the spring
quarter preceding the summer portion of the fellowship or traineeship
tenure.
Some fellowships and traineeships offer the privilege of participation
in the teaching or research programs of the university.
The principal types of fellowships/scholarships at UCSD are the
following:
- Regents Fellowships
- San Diego and Cota-Robles Fellowships
- Research Fellowships
- U.S. Public Health Service Predoctoral Traineeships
- Fee Scholarships
- Tuition Scholarships
- Tuition and Fee Scholarships
Assistantships
Graduate students may be appointed by UCSD on a part-time basis
as graduate student researchers and teaching assistants.
Graduate students enrolled full-time (twelve units or more) may
be appointed up to 50 percent time (twenty hours/week) during the
academic year and 100 percent time during the summer months, although
most departments limit support to 50 percent time year-round. Students
enrolled for less than full-time (one to eleven units) are eligible,
at the discretion of the department, for 25 percent time appointments.
Appointees must remain in good academic standing, as described under
Standards of Scholarship.
Graduate students who are appointed as graduate student researchers
are eligible for remission of tuition and fees if they have a minimum
25 percent appointment for the entire quarter for which tuition
and fees are paid, or the dollar equivalent; have an appointment
effective with the first week of instruction in the quarter for
which tuition and fees are paid; and are within the time limits
for support described earlier in this section.
Teaching assistants and others appointed on academic titles at
25 percent time or more for the quarter are eligible for payment
of partial fee remission of 100 percent of the annual education
and registration fees and 100 percent of the Graduate Student Health
Insurance fee.
Graduate students appointed as teaching assistants, associates,
readers or tutors (ASES) are represented by the Association
of Student Employees/UAW under a collective bargaining agreement
with the University of California. All salary payments under these
titles are subject to a deduction for union membership
dues
or agency fee deduction for students who choose
not to become members of the union. The university/UAW Agreement
can
be retrieved electronically at http://ogsr.ucsd.edu/ase/index.htm
All graduate students who are U.S. citizens and appointed as teaching
assistants or graduate student researchers or are employed by the
university in other positions are required by the California Constitution
to sign the State Oath of Allegiance. In addition, all graduate
student appointees and employees are required by university policy
to sign the universitys Patent Agreement. Copies of both documents
may be obtained from the students academic department.
Taxability of Awards
Under the 1986 Tax Reform Act, the taxability of awards is as
follows:
- Fellowships and Scholarships. The portion of the stipend used
for tuition, fees, books, and course-related expenses required
of all students in the course are not taxable income. The portion
of a stipend used for other purposes are taxable income.
- Graduate Student Researchers and Teaching Assistants. All compensation
is taxable income.
- Payment of tuition and fees under the Graduate Student Researcher
Tuition and Fee Remission program and payment of partial fee remission
and graduate student health insurance for those appointed 25 percent
time or more as teaching assistants or other academic titles,
is nontaxable income.
- Grants for Travel to Scholarly Meetings and for Graduate Student
Research Expenses. May be taxable.
Students are advised to review available tax materials and make
their own decisions about tax withholding, reporting of income,
excluding income from taxation, and filing required tax forms. UCSD
departmental and central administrative staff are not able to advise
students on individual tax matters.
Graduate student fellowships, scholarships and traineeships are
not subject to withholding for taxes under the Federal Insurance
Contribution ACT (FICA). The salary of graduate students appointed
as Teaching Assistants and Graduate Student Researchers, Readers,
or Tutors, or who are employed on campus is exempt from FICA if
the students are registered for a minimum of 6 units each quarter
(including summer). Nonresident aliens on F-1 and J-1 visas are,
by federal law, exempt from FICA.
Limited written tax information is available from academic departmental
offices and the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
Application Procedures
Entering students. The online application for graduate
admissions form is used to apply for any of the following: fellowships,
traineeships, scholarships, and assistantships (teaching, language,
or research).
In order for an applicant to be considered for the ensuing academic
year, all supporting materials must be received by the department
application deadline. No assurance can be given that requests for
fellowships, traineeships, or scholarships can be processed after
stated deadlines. Requests for assistantships may be accepted after
the deadline, but most departments offer assistantships at the same
time they consider applications for fellowships. Therefore, applicants
for these appointments are strongly urged to submit their requests
as early as possible.
Continuing and returning students. Consult with their departments.
Award Notification
The awarding of fellowships and similar awards for the following
academic year will be announced not later than April 1. UCSD subscribes
to the agreement of the Council of Graduate Schools of the United
States, under which successful applicants for awards are given until
April 15 to accept or decline such awards. An award accepted from
one of the member universities may be resigned at any time through
April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after that
date commits the student not to accept another appointment without
first obtaining formal release for that purpose.
Loans and Grants-in-Aid
An excellent package of grants-in-aid, work-study, and loans is
available to graduate students who show evidence of financial need
as determined by analysis of a completed Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA).
See section on financial assistance in chapter entitled Campus
Services and Facilities.
Time Limits for Graduate Student Support
For Ph.D. and D.M.A. students, all financial support administered
by UCSD (including fellowships, scholarships, and appointment but
excluding loans) is restricted to students who are within their
departmental support time limits (see Ph.D. Time Limits
and description of each departments graduate program).
M.F.A. and M.P.I.A. students can be supported for a maximum of
ten quarters. M.A. and M.S. students can be supported for a maximum
of seven quarters.
Fellowships and Research Awards from Outside the University
In addition to fellowships, traineeships, and loans administered
by the university, other types of graduate student support are
available
through federal agencies and private foundations. Students wishing
to explore such sources of support for their studies at UCSD are
urged to consult one of the many directories available in the reference
section of Geisel Library, the fellowship listings provided via
the Graduate Studies World Wide Web site (http://ogsr.ucsd.edu),
the Community of Science Web site (www.cos.com),
other Web sites dedicated to graduate fellowships, and through
the reference
departments of other large libraries.
Most application deadlines occur in the fall or early winter. Among
the many organizations which award fellowships to students at
UCSD
are the Department of Defense; the Ford Foundation; the Hertz Foundation;
the Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Institute of International
Education; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the
National Science Foundation; the Social Science Research Council;
and, the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.
General Policies and Requirements
Integrity of Scholarship
See UCSD Policy on Integrity of Scholarship in the
Academic Regulations section of this catalog.
Student Conduct
Graduate students enrolling in the university assume an obligation
to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the universitys
function as an educational institution. Rules concerning student
conduct, student organizations, use of university facilities, and
related matters are set forth in UC San Diego Campus Regulations
Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students, copies
of which are available online at http://ugr8.ucsd.edu/judicial
and at the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, and the Office
of Judicial Affairs.
Student Appeals
Academic Appeals
The faculty of a department or program has primary responsibility
for maintaining the excellence of graduate programs, and it is
in the best position to judge its students’ academic performance.
Consequently a graduate student appeal of an academic decision
should first be made to the individual faculty member who made
the decision. If this does not result in a resolution that is satisfactory
to the student, he or she may appeal to the department or program
chair. Graduate students may appeal a course grade or Ph.D. or
master’s qualifying or final exam result only if he or she
believes that nonacademic criteria were applied in determining
the course or exam grade. A student who wishes to appeal a course
grade or exam result should follow the procedure described in “Grade
Appeals” in the “Academic Regulations” section
of the UCSD General Catalog.
Non-Academic Appeals
Graduate students may appeal actions of departments, programs,
individual faculty members, departments, or administrators relating
to a students academic program or financial support if they
believe that:
- due process was not followed in arriving at a decision
OR
- personal prejudice affected the judgment rendered.
A non-academic appeal may be submitted to the department or program
chair, individual faculty member, or administrator within one month
of the date of learning of the action or the date that the student
should have reasonably known of the action.
If an appeal to an individual faculty member or administrator
is not resolved to the students satisfaction, he or she may
then submit a written appeal to the department or program chair,
who shall attempt to adjudicate the case with the faculty member
or administrator and the student within two weeks.
If the appeal is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction
at the department or program level, he or she may then attempt
to resolve the matter through written appeal to the dean of Graduate
Studies, who will attempt to adjudicate the case within two weeks.
The dean may take the appeal to the Graduate Council for review,
which may extend the time required to reach a final resolution.
The students request for the deans review should include
a written statement describing the nature of the grievance, along
with copies of any and all documents in his or her possession supporting
the grievance. Students are encouraged to contact the assistant
dean for Student Affairs in the Office of Graduate Studies and Research
for assistance with the appeal process.
Employment Appeals
Students holding an academic appointment, such as graduate student
researcher, are subject to the Academic Personnel Manual policy
140. A copy of this policy is available in the Office of Graduate
Studies and Research or it may be viewed online at http://www.ucop.edu/acadadv/acadpers/apm/apm-140.pdf.
Appeals by teaching assistants, readers, and tutors are covered
by the ASE/UAW contract that may be viewed at http://ogsr.ucsd.edu/ase/index.htm.
Other Appeals
Grievances concerning violations of student rights
are covered by the Student Conduct Code grievance procedures, which
are available online at http://ugr8.ucsd.edu/judicial/23_00.htm#23.10.
Examples of violations of students’ rights include those
affecting rights to privacy or protection from discrimination.
These grievances are handled
by the Office of Student Policies and Judicial Affairs, (858) 534-6225, studentconduct@ucsd.edu.
Students who disagree with an instructor’s response to his or
her request for disability accommodation may appeal the faculty
decision or action to the CEP
Subcommittee on Appeals for Accommodation of Students with Disabilities and Steps
for Academic Accommodation, as provided at http://www-senate.ucsd.edu/manual/
Appendices/app3.htm. A student’s appeal of a grade based on disability
discrimination follows the Grade Appeal Process for resolution. A student’s
challenge of any other action based on an alleged disability discrimination,
must be lodged in accordance with Student Grievance procedures in the Student
Conduct Code.
Student rights grievances should be made promptly to the decision-maker,
if known
to the student. If an appeal to an individual faculty member or administrator
is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, he or she may submit a
written appeal to the appropriate committee, governmental body, unit manager,
supervisor,
or designated representative for review and disposition. Such appeal must be
made not later than one hundred (100) calendar days from the date of the incident
causing the grievance. If the appeal at this level is not resolved to the student’s
satisfaction, the appeal may be continued as described in the Student Conduct
Code procedures referenced to above.
Appeal and other rights for students accused
of violating UCSD policies and procedures are outlined in the Student Conduct
Code http://ugr8.ucsd.edu/judicial/22_00.html. Exceptions
A student may request an exception to the normal procedures and
requirements governing graduate studies by submitting a General
Petition, available from the department. The petition must state
clearly the reasons for requesting the exception and bear all required
approvals before being submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies
and Research.
Within twelve months of action by UCSD with which the student
disagrees, such as denial of a right to withdraw, dropping or adding
a class, or other decisions related to the student’s transcript,
a student may petition the dean of Graduate Studies for review.
Petitions pertaining to matters that occurred in excess of twelve
moths in the past are submitted to the Committee on Educational
Policy of the UCSD Academic Senate through the dean of Graduate
Studies. Requests for exceptions to time limits require a letter of explanation
and support from the students research adviser, and support
and justification from the programs graduate adviser and endorsement
by the department or group chair. Such requests are submitted to
the Graduate Council through the dean of Graduate Studies. Exceptions
to the time limits policy are granted only in the case of truly
exceptional and unavoidable circumstances.
Grades
Standards of Scholarship
Only upper-division, graduate, and professional courses in which
grades of A, B, C (including plus [+] or minus []), D, or
S (Satisfactory) are earned can be counted in satisfaction of the
requirements for a higher degree.
A students grade-point average (GPA) is computed by dividing
the total number of grade points earned by the total unit value
of graded upper-division, graduate, and professional courses undertaken
at UCSD with the exception of those undertaken in UCSD Extension.
Grades of S, U, I, IP, NR, and W are excluded in computing a grade-point
average. Lower-division course work units are not used in computing
a graduate students grade-point average nor in satisfying
program requirements for a higher degree with the exception of language
courses taken by students in the M.P.I.A. program.
Each department or group prepares, not later than the second
week of each spring quarter, a detailed, written evaluation of
each of
its doctoral or M.F.A. students. These evaluations are designed
to inform students of their progress and to improve communications
between faculty and graduate students. Evaluations are discussed
with students who may elect to add written comments before signing
the copy of the evaluation sent to the Office of Graduate Studies
and Research. A students signature on the evaluation indicates
knowledge of the assessment but does not necessarily signify agreement.
To be in good standing academically a graduate student must meet
departmental standards including a satisfactory spring evaluation,
maintain a GPA of 3.0 or the equivalent in upper-division, graduate,
and professional course work, and must not have accumulated more
than a total of eight units of F and/or U grades overall, unless
departmental standards specify more stringent grade requirements.
Good standing is a requirement for:
- Holding academic and staff appointments.
- Holding fellowship, scholarship, or traineeship appointments.
- Participating in the Education Abroad Program (EAP)
- Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree.
- Going on leave of absence.
- Receiving a graduate degree from UCSD.
Graduate students who are not in good standing for any reason
are subject to probation and/ or disqualification from further graduate
study.
Grading System
The grade of A+, when awarded, represents extraordinary achievement
but does not receive grade-point credit beyond that received for
the grade of A. The grades of A, B, and C may be modified by plus
(+) or minus (). When attached to the grades of B and C, plus
(+) grades carry three-tenths of a grade point more per unit, and
when attached to A, B, and C, minus () grades carry three-tenths
of a grade point less per unit. Grades and grade points are described
as follows:
Grade |
|
Grade
Points per Unit |
A+ |
|
4.0 |
A |
Excellent |
4.0 |
A |
|
3.7 |
B+ |
|
3.3 |
B |
Good |
3.0 |
B |
|
2.7 |
C+ |
|
2.3 |
C |
Fair |
2.0 |
C |
|
1.7 |
D |
Poor |
1.0 |
F |
Fail |
|
S |
Satisfactory
(equivalent 0.0 to B or better) |
0.0 |
Grade |
|
|
U |
Unsatisfactory |
|
I |
Incompletebut
work of non-failing quality* |
IP |
In
Progress (provisional grade; replaced when full sequence is
completed) |
W |
Withdrawal
(assigned when withdrawing or dropping a course beginning fifth
week to end of ninth week of instruction) |
* Requires Request to Receive Grade Incomplete
form to be initiated and completed by the student, approved by the
instructor, and filed with the department prior to the end of finals
week. The Incomplete grade will lapse to F or U if not made up by
the last day of finals week in the following quarter.
All grades except Incomplete and In Progress are
final when entered in an instructors course report filed at
the end of the quarter.
While grades of U are not computed in a grade-point average, they
are not considered satisfactory grades for students on appointment,
nor are they considered to be evidence of satisfactory progress
on the part of any student. Therefore, a student whose record bears
more than eight units of U and/or F grades in upper-division, graduate,
or professional course work may not be eligible to continue on appointment
and may be subject to academic probation or disqualification.
Changes in Grades
All grades except I and IP are final when filed by the instructor
unless a clerical or procedural error is discovered.
No change of a final grade may be made on the basis of revision
or augmentation of a students work; no term grade except Incomplete
may be revised by further examination; and no grade may be changed
after one calendar year from the time the grade was recorded.
Repetition of Courses
A student assigned a grade of D, F, or U may petition to repeat
the course on the same grading basis for which it was first taken.
That is, a course in which a grade of D or F has been received may
not be repeated on an S/U basis. Conversely, a course in which a
grade of U has been awarded may not be repeated on the basis of
a letter grade. Degree credit for a course will be given only once,
but the grade assigned for each enrollment shall be permanently
recorded. Only the grade received in the repetition of the course
will be used in calculating the overall grade-point average for
the first sixteen units repeated. For additional units repeated,
the grade assigned for each enrollment shall be used in calculating
the grade-point average.
No Report/No Record
A blank entry appearing on student transcripts in lieu of a grade
indicates that the students name appeared on a grade report
but no grade was assigned by the instructor. A blank entry will
lapse automatically into an F or U if not removed or replaced by
a final grade by the last day of instruction of the subsequent quarter,
and will be computed in the students GPA.
I (Incomplete)
The grade of I may be assigned by an instructor only when the
students work is of passing quality but is incomplete. The
student must complete and submit to the instructor the form, Request
to Receive Grade Incomplete and Removal of Grade Incomplete, which
will contain both the reason for requesting the grade I and the
conditions to be met before the Incomplete can be replaced with
a final grade. The Incomplete must be made up, the grade assigned,
and the completed form filed with the Office of the Registrar no
later than the end of final examination week the following quarter.
Incomplete grades assigned in the quarter before a graduate student
withdraws or takes an approved leave of absence must be replaced
by a final grade before the end of the academic quarter following
to prevent the Incomplete from lapsing to F or U.
IP (In Progress)
An IP is assigned in a sequential course which extends over more
than one quarter, and the evaluation of a students performance
may not be possible until the end of the course. A student who has
dropped out without completing the entire sequence may be assigned
final grades and unit credit for any quarter(s) completed, provided
that the instructor has a basis for assigning the grades and certifies
that the sequence was not completed for good cause. An IP not replaced
by a final grade will remain on the students record. Courses
graded IP are not used in calculating a students grade-point
average until graduation. At that time course units still graded
IP on a students record must be treated as units attempted
in calculating the GPA; thus units graded IP will have the same
effect on the overall GPA as an F or U.
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
The minimum standard of performance for a grade of Satisfactory
shall be the same as the minimum for a grade of B.
With the approval of the Graduate Council, departments may offer
graduate courses in which graduate students may elect to be evaluated
on an S/U basis and courses in which S/U grading shall be the only
grading option. Grading options for a given course are identified
in course listings in the UCSD General Catalog.
In addition, and with the approval of the department and the
instructor concerned, graduate students may elect to have the following
courses
graded on an S/U basis: any upper-division or lower-division course
taken (provided they have obtained approval of the instructor and
the department), and any graduate or upper-division course outside
their major department. If departmental requirements have been
fulfilled
for advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree, graduate
students may take any course on an S/U basis.
Selection of S/U as a grading option must be made in the first
two weeks of a quarter. Units graded Satisfactory shall be counted
in satisfaction of degree requirements but shall be disregarded
in determining a students grade-point average. No credit shall
be allowed for work marked Unsatisfactory.
W (Withdrawal)
Students who discontinue graduate study any time during a quarter
without formally withdrawing will receive failing grades for all
course work undertaken. Formal withdrawal requires filing a Leave
of Absence, Extension and/or Withdrawal form prior to leaving campus
with the Office of Graduate Studies and Research after receiving
departmental approval and all other approvals listed on the form.
When a student withdraws before the end of the fourth week of instruction,
no course entries will appear on the transcript for that quarter.
Students who withdraw from the university or drop a course between
the beginning of the fifth week of instruction and the end of the
ninth week of instruction will be assigned a W (Withdrawn) by the
registrar for each course affected.
Courses in which a W has been assigned will be disregarded in
determining a students grade-point average.
Final Grades
Students may access their full UCSD graduate academic record on
StudentLink in the academic history module. The student must have
his/her PID and PAC numbers to access StudentLink. If lost or misplaced,
the PAC number may only be obtained from the Office of the Registrar
(OAR) after providing proof of identification; the PID may be obtained
through the departmental graduate program coordinator or the OAR.
Students may receive computer-generated telephone verification of
their fall and winter grades (see Schedule of Classes for complete
information). While grade reports submitted by instructors at the
end of the quarter are generally considered final, students should
carefully examine their grade report or transcript for omissions
and clerical errors and consult with instructors and the Office
of the Registrar to clarify any discrepancies.
Admission Requirements
Academic
Applicants for graduate admission must present official evidence
of receipt of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
of higher education or the equivalent, with training comparable
to that provided by the University of California. A minimum scholastic
average of B or better is required for course work completed in
upper-division, or prior graduate study.
Admission Policies
Duplication of Advanced Degrees
Normally, duplication of advanced academic degrees, M.A., M.S.,
Ph.D., is not permitted. A duplicate academic degree is one at
the
same level, e.g., a second masters degree or second Ph.D.,
regardless of the discipline or the specialization awarding the
degree. A professional degree at the master’s or doctoral
level, e.g., Au.D., Ed.D., M.B.A., M.Ed., M.F.A., M.P.I.A., M.D.
Pharm.D., is not regarded as a duplicate of an academic degree..
Students who already hold an advanced degree may be admitted to
UCSD to pursue a second advanced degree at the same level only under
limited circumstances, and only with the consent of the Graduate
Council. Recognizing that there are circumstances in which it is
appropriate for a student to pursue a second degree, the Graduate
Council will consider the following criteria when reviewing requests
for permission to do so at UCSD.
- The degree already held by the student must be in a fundamentally
different disciplinary field from the department to which the
student is applying. A request for permission to be admitted to
a degree program at UCSD should document this clearly, and should
indicate the differences both in intellectual training and in
qualification for future employment that the second degree would
confer.
- The department or program considering the applicant must make
a clear case that there is no other way at UCSD for the student
to obtain the same outcome for future employment prospects, e.g.,
by pursuing a masters program or postdoctoral study rather
than a second Ph.D.
If the decision of the Graduate Council is that the student should
be admitted to a particular department or program for a masters
degree alone, the student is barred from requesting permission to
continue for a Ph.D. in that department or program.
Non-Degree Study
There is no student-at-large classification at UCSD;
application for admission must be made to a specific department
or group. Applicants who wish to enroll for course work only
within a department or group and who do not intend to pursue a higher
degree at UCSD may request admission for non-degree study. Applicants
for non-degree study must satisfy all admission requirements and
are not eligible for fellowships or assistantships. Non-degree status
is granted for up to one year; students may petition the dean of
Graduate Studies for a second year of non-degree status.
Part-Time Study, Including Half-Time
Students who enroll in fewer than twelve graduate or upper-division
units each quarter are considered part-time students. International
students on F1 or J1 visas must be enrolled full-time each quarter.
Students who are approved by their major department and by the dean
of Graduate Studies for enrollment in a program of half-time study
(maximum of six units or fewer) for reasons of occupation, family
responsibilities or health, may be eligible for a reduction in fees.
All other part-time students (711 units) pay the same fees
as full-time students.
Part-time study may be pursued in several masters programs
and a few doctoral programs at UCSD. In all instances, part-time
students
must satisfy the same admission requirements as full-time students
and are eligible, at the discretion of a department, for appointment
to 25 percent time teaching or research assistantships. Admitted
students must file the petition for half-time study with the Office
of Graduate Studies and Research no later than the last day of
the
second week of the quarter to be eligible for a fee reduction.
Application Procedures
When to Apply
Most graduate programs have an application deadline of mid-January
for fall admissions. A few programs accept applications for winter
and spring admissions. For specific deadlines refer to the online
application instructions at http://ogsr.ucsd.edu
or contact the specific program office. Applicants need not have
completed their undergraduate programs prior to applying.
How to Apply
UCSD encourages the use of the online application and payment
of the nonrefundable application fee by credit card. The online
application can be accessed at http://ogsr.ucsd.edu
where detailed instructions for completion of the application are
provided. If a paper mail-in application is necessary, it must be
obtained from the academic department where the applicant is applying.
Additional program and application information can be obtained
from each graduate program office. Access the UCSD Web site http://ucsd.edu
and the appropriate programs graduate study information. Telephone
numbers and campus addresses are listed with the department information
in this catalog. The Graduate Admissions Application includes application
for a fellowship, traineeship, scholarship, or assistantship. The
primary documents required in support of an application are listed
below. Each program may require additional documents.
Social Security Number Disclosure
Pursuant to the Federal Privacy Act of 1974, applicants are hereby
notified that disclosure of their Social Security number is mandatory.
The Social Security number entered on the application for graduate
admission may be used as the applicants identification number
for part of the UCSD graduate student record keeping system. A personal
identification (PID) number will also be assigned by the UCSD student
information system for record-keeping purposes. This record-keeping
system was established prior to January 1, 1975 pursuant to the
authority of the Regents of the University of California under Art.
IX, Sec. 9 of the California Constitution.
Required Supporting Documents
All supporting documents, including letters of recommendation,
should be completed using the online system. Any additional supplemental
materials are mailed directly to the applicant’s prospective
major department.
Academic Records
Applicants must request that official transcripts of all previous
academic work, including certification of degrees received or documentation
of status upon leaving each institution, be forwarded to their prospective
major department. Transcript labels can be printed from the online
application site. Only official records bearing the signature of
the registrar and the seal of the issuing institution will be accepted.
Applicants with academic work in progress who expect to complete
a degree program before the intended date of enrollment at UCSD
must submit evidence of degree conferral and a final academic
record, as soon as they are available. The undergraduate degree
must be completed prior to the start of graduate study.
Special Note to International Applicants
In all applications for graduate admission, official records bearing
the signature of the registrar or other responsible academic officer
and the seal of the issuing institution are required. However, true
copies, facsimiles, or photostatic copies of foreign academic
records will be accepted if, after the copies have been made,
they have been personally signed and stamped by an educational official
of the issuing institution, who certifies that they are exact
copies of the original document. Properly signed copies should
be sent instead of irreplaceable original documents. Unless academic
records are issued in English by the institution itself, certified
English translations must accompany official documents written in
a language other than English.
Foreign academic records should show all courses attended each
year, examinations passed, seminars completed, and grades or marks
received in all institutions where formal records are maintained.
Official evidence of degree conferral must also be supplied,
together with evidence of rank in class if possible.
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Scores
Most graduate programs require that applicants take the GRE. Contact
the specific program for further information. Applicants who are
applying for admission to a department, group, or school which requires
that they take the GRE should do so as early as possible to insure
the timely receipt of their score results. Applicants must take
the GRE no later than fall in order to meet most departmental deadlines
for admission. Consult the GRE Information & Registration
Bulletin or the GRE Web site http://gre.org
for further information. Only official scores sent to UCSD by E.T.S.
will be accepted for admission.
To facilitate the processing of applications for admission,
applicants may forward to their proposed major department, group,
or school a copy of their GRE examination score as soon as it is
received, since official copies are not always immediately received
by the appropriate department at UCSD.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants should arrange to have three letters of recommendation
submitted online to UCSD. If paper letters are necessary they must
be mailed to the prospective major department, group, or school.
(Recommendation forms can be printed from the online application
site). It is most important that letters of recommendation be completed
by individuals in a position to analyze an applicants abilities
and academic or professional promise. Applicants who have applied
within the last two years, and were admitted, but did not enroll,
should check with their major department or group to determine if
letters of recommendation are still on file.
International Applicant Financial Statement
Foreign applicants are required to certify that they possess
sufficient funds to cover all fees, transportation, and living expenses
during the first academic year of graduate enrollment at UCSD.
In addition, they must certify as to the probability of funds for
subsequent years of study. An International Applicant Financial
Statement, for the purpose of indicating the amount and source of
funds available for graduate study, is forwarded to foreign applicants
upon admission into a graduate program. A written summary of present
and future financial resources must be provided before visa forms
can be granted.
Opportunities for employment on or off campus, are extremely limited,
and foreign applicants should not base their educational plans on
the hope of finding employment after arriving in the United States.
Admissions Examination Information
There are a variety of internationally administered examinations
which may be taken to meet requirements for admission to graduate
study or to satisfy certain requirements for advanced degrees. Several
examinations of importance to UCSD applicants are listed here.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
All international applicants whose native language is not English
and whose undergraduate education was conducted in a language other
than English must take the TOEFL and submit their test scores to
the Office of Graduate Admissions. Some departments now require
the Test of Written English (TWE) as well as the Listening, Structure,
and Reading Sections of the TOEFL.
The minimum TOFEL score for admission is 550 for the paper-based
test or 213 for the computer-based test. Applicants admitted with
low scores may be required to take an English proficiency test upon
arrival at UCSD and to enroll in an English course until the required
proficiency is attained.
Application: Information and forms are available online
at http://toefl.org, or from TOEFL
Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, or from United
States embassies, consulates, and related centers.
Test of Spoken English (TSE)
The Test of Spoken English helps foreign students provide a reliable
measure of proficiency in spoken English. This test is highly recommended
for foreign applicants who wish to be considered for a teaching
assistantship. Test information is available at http://tse.org.
Admission and Registration
Official admission to graduate study at the university is contingent
upon review of an applicants record, receipt of final undergraduate
transcript showing degree(s) awarded, receipt of official transcripts
of all attended institutions, an affirmative recommendation by the
prospective department, group, or school, and action by the Office
of Graduate Studies and Research. The dean of Graduate Studies or
the prospective major department, group, or school may deny admission
if an applicants scholastic record is undistinguished, if
the preparation is judged inadequate as a foundation for advanced
work, or in the event that no further students can be accommodated
for a given quarter. Only the official Certificate of Admission
from the dean of Graduate Studies constitutes formal approval of
admission to a graduate program at UCSD.
Official notification of admission by the dean of Graduate Studies
will be sent well in advance of the beginning of the quarter for
which application has been made. Applicants should call their prospective
major department, if formal notification is not received four
weeks
prior to the beginning of the quarter for which they applied.
Admission to graduate standing does not constitute registration
for classes. A student is not officially registered for classes
until the entire registration procedure is completed each quarter.
Information and all necessary registration materials will be available
at department offices approximately two weeks before the opening
of the quarter (see Academic Calendar).
Reapplication
Applicants who are admitted but decide not to register in the
quarter for which they first apply may request deferral of their
application for a later quarter within the same academic year or
the academic year immediately subsequent. Application for admission
of an approved deferred applicant for the subsequent academic year
may be made by submitting a statement of activities and official
transcripts of any academic work undertaken since the first application
to the department or group. Admission is not guaranteed to previously
admitted applicants who have an approved deferral. In no case are
application files retained for more than four consecutive academic
quarters from the date of first application. Application after this
period may be made only by completing a new application and providing
all necessary documents, including payment of the graduate application
fee.
Students who are denied admission must submit a new application
and fee together with required documentation in order to be considered
for admission in another academic year.
Readmission
A graduate student whose status has lapsed because of an interruption
in registration must petition his or her department for readmission
at least eight weeks prior to the first day of the quarter in which
reenrollment is intended. Do not complete an Application for
Admission. Students must submit supplementary transcripts
of all academic course work undertaken since last enrolled at
UCSD,
pay a readmission fee of $60, and complete a General Petition and
a supplementary Statement of Activities. In addition, a Statement
of Legal Residence is required for all students returning after
an absence of two quarters or more.
Readmission is not automatic.
Registration Requirements and Procedures
All students must enroll and pay fees on or before the deadline
dates established by the Office of the Registrar for each quarter
to avoid paying late fees. Enrollment materials are obtained at
the major department. (See Schedule of Classes for current deadlines.)
Full-Time Student
A full-time student is required to be registered for twelve units
each quarter of each academic year until the completion of all requirements
for the degree, including the filing of the thesis or dissertation.
Part-Time Student
A part-time student is enrolled in fewer than twelve units a quarter
but is admitted as a regular student. A part-time student must pay
full fees unless approved by the dean of Graduate Studies to enroll
in half-time status for six units or fewer. A student must file
the petition for half-time study with the Office of Graduate Studies
and Research no later than the last day of the second week of the
quarter to be eligible for reduced fees. (See Admissions Policies-Part-Time
Study.)
Schedule of Classes
Detailed information on registration and enrollment procedures
is contained in the quarterly Schedule of Classes, found
on the Office of Admissions and Records home page on the World
Wide Web: http://studentlink.ucsd.edu. It is the responsibility of each graduate student to
keep informed of and meet all enrollment and registration (fee payment)
deadlines.
Priority Enrollment
Continuing Students
Continuing graduate students may enroll in classes through WebReg
or by coming to the Registrars office any time during the
quarterly enrollment period. A Personal Access Code (PAC) number
is issued to graduate students by the Office of the Registrar. Students
may also use WebReg to add, change, and drop classes. Students who
do not use WebReg may complete Add/Drop Cards and file them with
the Office of the Registrar any time during enrollment periods.
Complete instructions for enrolling by WebReg or Add/Drop Cards
can be found in the quarterly Schedule of Classes and on StudentLink.
Confirmation of classes is immediate by WebReg. Students must
officially withdraw from a course to avoid receiving a failing grade.
New Students
New students are given academic advising in their respective academic
departments and enroll just prior to or at the beginning of their
first quarter at UCSD.
Student Photo-Identification Card
A validated Student Photo-Identification Card is the official
ID for registered students and entitles the student to library
privileges,
a student health card, and use of other university facilities,
as well as for purchasing tickets and/or admission to certain
university
events and voting in student body elections. Registration is validated
electronically via the Campus ID card magnetic strip. Quarterly
fees are required to be paid for registration validation.
If the Student Photo-Identification Card is lost, students may
obtain a duplicate at the Campus Card Services Office, 508 University
Center.
Registration Procedures
Students are considered enrolled when they have requested at least
one course and space in it has been reserved. Every effort will
be made to enroll students in their preferred class sections. Students
are not considered registered until they have both enrolled in classes
and paid registration fees.
Payment of Registration Fees
Please refer to the Payment of Registration Fees section
in the Undergraduate Registration portion of this catalog
or the quarterly Schedule of Classes which outlines procedures for
payment of registration fees.
Note to Fellowship, Scholarship, or Traineeship Holders:
The first billing statement will be sent to each enrolled student
about one month prior to the start of each quarter. Fees and tuition
awarded to pay registration fees will be credited to the graduate
student’s account and appear on the statement as a payment
or credit. Each award recipient should carefully check the amounts
listed on the statement against the graduate award letter and contact
the Office of Graduate Studies immediately if there is a discrepancy.
Graduate students with partial fee and/or tuition awards will be
required to pay the balance by the fee deadline to complete their
registration.
Fellowship, scholarship, or traineeship holders must enroll in
and maintain full-time enrollment status (at least twelve units
per quarter).
Note to Students on Academic Titles:
Students appointed 25 percent time or more as graduate student
researchers on the tuition and fee remission program will have the
amount of their required tuition/fees credited to their account
prior to the beginning of the quarter. This payment will also appear
on the students university billing statement.
Students appointed 25 percent time or more as teaching assistants,
associates, and readers or, tutors guaranteed by the hiring department
to work at least 110 hours (25 percent) for the quarter will have
partial fee remission (including remission of the health insurance
fee) credited to their university account prior to the beginning
of the quarter. Students who are readers and/or tutors who are not
guaranteed 25 percent time at the beginning of the quarter, but
subsequently work 110 hours or more, are issued refunds for partial
fee remission at the end of the quarter.
Teaching assistants appointed 25 percent time or more are eligible
to apply for the TA Fee Deferment program. Under this program, the
balance of resident fees (but not tuition) is deducted from the
second and third check each quarter.
During the fall quarter only, teaching assistants and graduate
student researchers appointed 25 percent time or more may be eligible
to apply for the TA/GSR Loan program.
For additional information, contact your graduate department or
the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
Full-time graduate study and support requires enrollment in
a minimum of twelve units each quarter.
Continuous Registration
All graduate students are required to be registered each quarter
until all degree requirements have been completed, including filing
of the thesis or dissertation and the final examination, or to be
on an approved leave of absence.
A student who fails to register or to file an approved leave of
absence form by the registrars deadline date (no later than
the end of the second week each quarter) will be assumed to be withdrawn
from UCSD and will be dropped from the official register of graduate
students. In addition, all outstanding Incomplete grades, and NRs
assigned by the registrar, will lapse to Fs or Us unless
cleared by the end of the current quarter. A student who is on leave
of absence or who has withdrawn from the university is not entitled
to withdraw books from the library or to use other university facilities
or faculty time. A student who is withdrawn must petition for readmission
to resume study at a later date, pay the nonrefundable readmission
fee, and be considered for readmission with all others requesting
admission to that quarter.
Doctoral degree candidacy will lapse for graduate students who
fail to register and are not granted a formal leave of absence.
To
be
reinstated to candidacy, a graduate student must be readmitted,
enroll and register, be readvanced to candidacy, and pay the candidacy
fee.
Late Registration/Deadline and Penalty Fees
Students will be assessed late fees if not enrolled and registered
by the registrars published deadlines outlined in this catalog
and the quarterly Schedule of Classes. Please refer to the Graduate
Admission Information and Enrollment Deadlines portion of
this catalog or to the quarterly Schedule of Classes for additional
information.
A student who has not completed registration (enrolled and paid
fees) by the deadline for change of program must petition for
permission to register late and will pay late fees totalling $100,
regardless of the source of fees payment.
A student whose registration in classes is cancelled for non-payment
of fees and seeks reinstatement will be assessed both the late enrollment
($50) and late registration fees ($50), currently totaling $100,
regardless of the source of fees payment.
Students are advised to consult the quarterly Schedule of Classes
for current deadline dates.
Changes in Course Selection
Add/Drop Cards reflecting changes in class enrollment must be
filed with the Office of the Registrar in order for the student
to receive credit for added courses and be relieved of responsibility
for dropped courses.
Add/Drop Cards must be completed in full and include correct course
information and course codes as listed in the current Schedule of
Classes.
After enrolling in courses, a graduate student may add courses,
change sections of a given course, or change grading options up
to the end of the second week of instruction without fee by completing
an Add/Drop Card available at the Office of the Registrar. Students
may also use WebReg. Students in some programs must obtain approval
of their graduate adviser or department. See Schedule of Classes,
Changes of Programs. Any requests to the dean of Graduate
Studies for exception to this policy require written explanation
and instructor verification of attendance/course work completion
to date.
A graduate student may drop a class up to the end of the ninth
week of classes by filing an Add/Drop Card with the registrar, after
first notifying the instructor, and obtaining the approval of the
graduate adviser or department and the dean of Graduate Studies.
If the course is dropped before the end of the fourth week of classes,
no course entry will appear on the students transcript. Courses
dropped after the end of the fourth week of instruction and before
the end of the ninth week of instruction will remain on the transcript
as permanent entries showing course number and title, and the registrar
will assign a final grade of W, signifying Withdrawal.
Students may not drop courses after the end of the ninth week
of instruction and will receive the earned grade or an Incomplete,
if applicable. When a grade in a course has been assigned in accordance
with the Academic Senate policy on Integrity of Scholarship, a student
may not subsequently change that grade by dropping the course or
withdrawing from the university.
Enrollment Limits
A full-time graduate student in a regular quarter is expected
to enroll in twelve units of upper-division or graduate course work
with the exception that in the Graduate School of International
Relations and Pacific Studies the normal course load is sixteen
units. A student who wishes to take units in excess of these limits
must obtain the approval of the graduate adviser or department chair.
Graduate students holding half-time appointments as graduate student
researchers, teaching assistants, language assistants, readers,
or other employment titles, or who receive support from traineeships,
fellowships, or scholarships paid through the university or directly
to the student, must enroll and register for twelve units of upper-division
and/or graduate course work and research each quarter.
Teaching units (500 series) above the full-time program of twelve
units are not considered an overload.
Graduate students approved for half-time study are limited to
a maximum of six units of upper-division or graduate course work
each quarter.
Changes of Name or Address
Students must file official change of name or address forms with
the Office of the Registrar. Students are advised to also notify
their major department, group, or school.
Leave of Absence/Extension
A student who discontinues graduate study with the intention of
resuming during a later quarter, with department approval, files
a formal Leave of Absence, Extension and/or Withdrawal form prior
to leaving the campus. Graduate students must have completed at
least one quarter of academic residence and be in good standing
(GPA 3.0 minimum or equivalent and no more than eight units of U
or F) to be granted a leave. All graduate students are limited to
a maximum of three quarters of leave and/or withdrawal.
Prior to the end of the second week of instruction of the quarter
in which the leave is to begin, a student must complete a Leave
of Absence form and obtain required signatures as listed under
the clearance section of the form, and the approvals of the graduate
adviser, chair of the (major) department, group, or school, and
dean of Graduate Studies. Fee refund will be subject to the
refund schedule published in the quarterly Schedule of Classes
(see section on Withdrawal).
A graduate student who enrolled in classes before requesting
a Leave
of Absence must also request a withdrawal from course work for
the quarter of leave to avoid paying fees for that quarter. Graduate
students may request an extension of an approved leave prior to
the expiration of the leave, up to the maximum of three quarters
in all degree programs. For an extension of an approved leave,
the student must complete a new leave of absence form and obtain
the
signatures of the graduate adviser, chair of (major) department,
housing, and dean of graduate studies.
Parenting Leave
A graduate student who is bearing a child, who has primary responsibility
for the care of an infant immediately following birth, a child
under
the age of five, or adoption of a child under age five, and is
in good academic standing will be granted, on request, a one-quarter
extension of all unexpired doctoral time limits. During the quarter
in which childbirth or adoption occurs, the graduate student may
choose one of the following registration options:
- continue registering as a full-time graduate student and retain
eligibility for support
- reduce to part-time status (less than twelve units) and be
eligible for up to 25 percent time employment on campus
- take a leave of absence
After the quarter in which childbirth or adoption occurs, a graduate
student who has primary responsibility for caring for a child up
to the age of five will be granted, on request, a leave of absence
for the purpose of caring for the child for a maximum of two quarters
(or three quarters, if a one-quarter extension has not been granted
for the quarter in which childbirth or adoption occurred).
The total amount of time for which graduate students may receive
extensions of time limits for parenting or childbearing may not
exceed three quarters in a graduate students career at UCSD.
Approved leaves for childbearing and parenting will not count in
the three-quarter leave limit available to all graduate students.
A student who has a long-term loan is considered to be out of
school while on a leave of absence and must set up an exit interview
with the Loan Records Office before leaving the campus. Since
rules and regulations pertaining to such loans are complex, it is
to the students advantage to determine loan requirements prior
to seeking a leave of absence.
A student on leave of absence may not (1) be employed by UCSD,
UCSD Medical Center or UC Extension, or hold a fellowship, traineeship,
or similar appointment administered by the university, (2) use university
facilities, (3) complete a qualifying examination for advancement
to candidacy, or (4) place demands on faculty, including discussion
of thesis or dissertation work, either directly or by correspondence,
during the period of leave.
A student may remain in student housing while on an approved leave
of absence providing he or she has been a full-time student (twelve
units or more) for three consecutive quarters immediately prior
to the leave of absence and is eligible for university housing.
Students must return all borrowed library material if requesting
a leave of absence or withdrawing.
Any student on an approved Leave of Absence must contact their
major department to be reinstated and cleared for enrollment and
registration.
A new Statement of Legal Residence is required for all graduate
students returning from a leave of absence of two quarters or
more.
Withdrawal
A student withdrawing from the university must obtain a Leave
of Absence, Extension and/or Withdrawal form and secure appropriate
signatures. The approved form must be filed with the Office of
Graduate
Studies and Research.
Students who withdraw during the first thirty-five days of instruction
will receive refunds of fees in proportion to the number of elapsed
calendar days since the first day of instruction. The date of
withdrawal used in calculating the refund shall be the date on which
the approved notice of withdrawal is submitted to the Office of
Graduate Studies and Research.
A registered student who stops attending classes and fails to
file a Leave of Absence, Extension, and/or Withdrawal form will
receive a grade of F or U in each course, thus jeopardizing eligibility
for readmission.
Return of Title IV Federal Student Aid
Financial aid recipients may be required to return some or all
of their aid at the time of withdrawal. This requirement applies
only to undergraduate students who withdraw prior to completing
60 percent of the quarter. Questions about financial aid repayment
should be directed to Student Financial Services Office.
Bar from Registration/Nonacademic
After suitable warning, a student may be barred from further registration
for a variety of nonacademic reasons, including failure to comply
with official notices, to settle financial obligations when due,
to provide final undergraduate transcripts, or other related matters.
Bar from Registration/Academic
Academic disqualification is determined by the dean of Graduate
Studies in consultation with the students department, and
normally relates to: unsatisfactory academic performance, e.g.,
failure to maintain a grade-point average of 3.0 or better; failure
to meet departmental criteria of performance; failure to advance
to candidacy or complete the degree within established time limits;
accumulation of more than eight units of F or U grades; or failure
to comply with conditions set at the time of admission to a graduate
degree program.
Graduate Studies
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