Master's Degree

Master's Degree
Plan I, Thesis Option

(Senate reg. 300B, 305B)

In addition to department-specific requirements, this plan requires completion of a minimum of 30 units of upper-division and graduate coursework, of which at least 20 units must be at the graduate level (excluding courses numbered 597 or 598, units for teaching assistant duties or training, or service as a graduate student researcher). A maximum of 10 units of the required 20 graduate units may be in 596 coursework. Some departments also require completion of an examination at the conclusion of coursework.

A thesis is required, which must be approved by each member of the master's committee.

Master's Degree
Plan II, Comprehensive
Exam or Project

(Senate reg. 300B, 305C)

In addition to department-specific requirements, this plan requires completion of a minimum of 36 units of upper-division and graduate coursework. No fewer than 24 of the 36 units required for the non-thesis option must be in graduate courses in the major subject or in graduate courses related to that subject. Teaching and research practica, 597, or 598 courses may not be used to meet this minimum unit requirement. No more than half of the required 24 graduate units may be in 596 coursework.

Students must also complete either a comprehensive exam or a project:

• A comprehensive final examination is set by the major department and administered by a department-appointed master's committee consisting of at least three Academic Senate members, with tenure-track faculty member from the student’s major (home) department serving as chair or co-chair. At least two members of every master’s thesis committee must be tenure-track faculty. The majority of the three members shall be from the student’s UCSB major (home) department.  Recommendation of the appointment of additional members to the thesis committee is at the discretion of the department. 
• A research project must be must be supervised by at least two Academic Senate members, with a tenure-track faculty member from the student’s UCSB major department serving as chair or co-chair.

Awarding of a
Master's Degree

To be awarded a Master's Degree, students must:

• Complete and confirm with their department that all University and department-specific degree requirements have been met
• Either be registered or on Filing Leave of Absence (terminal master's degrees only) the quarter degree is to be awarded

After a student has completed these requirements, the Department Graduate Advisor or Chair sends to Graduate Division a signed degree check sheet (or memo if admitted prior to Fall 2010) verifying that the student has completed all degree requirements, including the exact dates milestones were met. Upon receiving the required departmental master’s degree check sheet (or memo), Graduate Division conducts a final degree check prior to awarding the degree.

Please note: due to the large number of degrees awarded each quarter, degree checks are not performed the same day that Graduate Division is notified of a student's degree candidacy

Degree Verification,
Transcripts, and Diplomas

Diplomas are automatically mailed to the "diploma address" on record approximately 3-4 months after the date of degree conferral. If you are unable to update your address on GOLD, see Office of Registrar's Address Verification. A charge will automatically be assessed to the student's BARC account for the mailing cost of the diploma. All questions concerning verifications, transcripts, and diplomas should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar.