Admissions

Preparing for Graduate Study

Meet a UCSB Recruiter

Graduate Division staff attend Graduate Fairs, Forums, and Conferences at institutions throughout California and at selected regional locations across the country. Listed below are the events we will be attending in the fall of 2005. We'd love to meet you and look forward to sharing information about UCSB and the graduate opportunities available on our campus. Participation in graduate fairs is subject to change.

Table of Graduate Recruitment Fairs at which UCSB will be represented:

American undergraduate education is typically a time for students to experiment in a wide range of disciplines and general education courses discover what holds the most interest for them. Students select a major, but are not expected to dedicate their entire educational experience to this subject alone as might be the case in other countries. Undertaking graduate education is a serious commitment. There are important distinctions between the types of degrees available.

The Master's Degree

Master's degrees vary across the range of disciplines, but some generalizations can be made about them. A master's degree typically takes from 1.5-3 years, depending on discipline and requirements. Students seeking a master's degree are expected to attain a certain level of mastery (hence the name) of a specific subject, although not as complete as at the doctoral level. Students must learn a language or a quantitative method related to their field of study and produce a significant thesis or pass a demanding comprehensive exam at the end of their studies.

Across disciplines, master's degrees have different acronyms, such as: master of arts (MA), master of education (MED), master of environmental science and management (MESM), master of science (MS), and master of fine arts (MFA). Students with a master's degree can teach at the community college level, and at some smaller universities, but teaching positions at larger schools often require a doctorate.

The Doctorate

The doctorate is the final measure of one's commitment to an area of study. Although many doctorate programs require students to have a master's degree, some do not, and others offer comprehensive master's/doctoral programs. Typically lasting anywhere from 3-7 years, the doctorate is a commitment to a specific area of research and independence of original contributions to the field. Many doctoral candidates are also given the opportunity to teach, either directly or as teaching assistants, during their course of study, to prepare those who wish to go on to the teaching profession.

Some doctoral programs require the student to learn a second research-oriented language, and students are usually expected to complete a specified number of course hours, as well as an extensive series of oral and/or written exams to prove their mastery of subject. Most doctoral programs also require the completion of an extensive dissertation with the aid of a faculty committee, as well as a final oral or written exam, that is the culmination of the student's educational experience.

Undergraduate Research - UC LEADS (Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees)

UC LEADS is a two year program designed to identify educationally or economically disadvantaged undergraduates pursuing degrees in science, technology engineering or mathematics (STEM) who are likely to succeed in graduate school. The program provides students with educational experiences that prepare them to assume positions of leadership in industry, government, public service and academia following the doctoral degree, preferably at the University of California.

UCSB Graduate & Professional School Day

The annual UCSB Graduate & Professional School Day will be held on Monday, November 8, 2007. This year, the event will be organized by Counseling & Career Services. Recruiters interested in attending the UCSB Graduate & Professional School Day should contact Counseling & Career Services for information.

Researching Departments and Programs

Before you apply to any graduate program, it is important that you research the department or program in which you are interested. Contact the faculty to find out more about the research that they do to be sure it matches your interests. Talk to current graduate students to get a sense of the climate of the department. With so much information available through the internet, obtaining departmental information and materials has never been easier.

Each UCSB department has a staff member called the Graduate Program Assistant who can answer your questions concerning the admission process as well as other administrative questions you might have. Your Graduate Program Assistant can be found at the Graduate Programs at UCSB.

Planning a Campus Visit

While not an absolute necessity in this era of comprehensive online information, a visit to the UCSB campus is recommended of all serious applicants. You are able to experience those intangible qualities of campus and community life that cannot fully be appreciated online. Does it "feel" like the place you want to spend the next 2-5 years? You can visit the academic department and meet with staff, students, and faculty. Anecdotal information, particularly from graduate colleagues, can be invaluable. Get first-hand information regarding logistics such as housing, health services, transportation, etc.

For those applicants who plan a campus visit, we recommend that you contact the academic department in advance so its staff and faculty can make arrangements to provide assistance. There are a number of possible scenarios that might result in a visit to the UCSB campus:

• You are invited, on the basis of your strong academic qualifications, to attend an organized recruitment event that will usually be attended by other admitted students. A typical itinerary might include campus and community tours, academic and meetings with faculty and current graduate students. The department usually pays major expenses such as airfare.
• You are in town for business or personal reasons, and decide to visit the campus on an informal basis. Please call the department in advance of your visit in order to maximize the chance that your arrival will fit into the schedules of staff, faculty and graduate students who can provide information and assistance.
• You have been invited to visit a campus in the general vicinity of another campus of interest to you. (The other campus has offered admission but has not invited you to visit). Call both departments to request that arrangements be made to share the costs of your visit, especially air fare.

For information on UCSB campus events, tours, maps and directions, parking, and student orientations, please see Visitor Information.

Additional Resources and Links

• Applying to Graduate School at a UC
• Financial Aid
• Financial Support & Academic Appointments
• Graduate Calendar