ucla phd admission requirements

Graduate Admission

The graduate programs at UCLA are some of the most esteemed in the world, consistently ranked in the top 25. Forty doctoral programs rank in the top 10.

Our campus offers more than 130 graduate and professional programs, ranging from an extensive selection of business and medical programs to degrees in 40 different languages. On average, UCLA admits 14,000 graduate students of the 55,000 who apply each year. At UCLA, you’ll be among the best and brightest in the world.

Our programs combine the learnings of one field with the components of another, to create a hybrid of deep specialized knowledge. The notion that knowledge is produced through multidisciplinary approaches is paramount at UCLA. We offer faculty and graduate students the opportunity to collaborate on research projects and study groups that transcend departments and programs.

These collaborations go beyond the campus. UCLA enjoys strong connections to other major universities as well as public and private institutes and firms thanks to its location within Los Angeles. Our graduate students engage with these communities both academically and culturally as a part of the UCLA graduate experience. The students who thrive in the environment are creative, determined and unrelenting in their search for new ways to answer questions.

If this sounds like you, check out our programs and learn more about what we have to offer.

Applying to a Graduate Program

Most graduate applications are processed through the Graduate Education Department. Explore 130+ graduate degree programs and choose the one that’s right for you.

Professional Schools

Four of UCLA’s professional programs offer their own specialized application processes. Follow the links below to learn more about admission steps and requirements at these four schools.

• University of California, Los Angeles

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Admission requirements.

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

Admission to the Ph.D. program is given to graduates of accredited degree programs in nursing who fulfill the admission requirements listed below, show promise for doctoral level research and publication and whose area of research is compatible with research expertise of our faculty.

Applicants must provide evidence of the following:

A master's degree in nursing; a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and a master's degree in a non-nursing field or a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Degrees must be from an accredited program satisfactory to the School of Nursing and to the Graduate Division. Students accepted with deficiencies are required to complete appropriate master's-level courses.

A scholarship record satisfactory to the Graduate Division and to the School of Nursing with a minimum grade-point average of 3.5.

Status as a licensed registered nurse; evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse in the U.S. or in your home country.

A Biostatistics course with content equivalent to Biostatistics 100A or Biomathematics 170A (equivalent of four quarter units), this course must have been completed within the last three years.  Approved Biostatistics Course

A graduate-level nursing research course with content equivalent to Nursing 204. Accelerated pathway applicants must have completed an undergraduate level research course.  Approved Nursing Research Course

Three letters of reference affirming the applicant's potential for scholarly, investigative and creative endeavors in nursing.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with minimum score of 87 on the Internet-based test, 220 on the computer-based test or 560 on paper-based test, or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with overall band score of 7 for International applicants from countries with a native language other than English.

Example of a scholarly nursing paper and/or creative works.

A statement of educational objectives, specific focus of research, and program and career goals.

• Curriculum vitae.

If you are an International applicant, please contact Mark Covin , Director of Recruitment, Outreach & Admissions prior to applying for admissions.

The UCLA Linguistics Department’s normal business hours are M-F 8am-12pm, 1-4pm. Office schedule and availability may change based on UCLA protocol ( www.covid-19.ucla.edu). Masks are optional but strongly recommended indoors. All UCLA affiliates and visitors must self-screen for symptoms before coming to campus.

The Department of Linguistics

Graduate admissions, graduate admissions information, the ucla linguistics department welcomes applications from students interested in pursuing the ph.d. degree . the department currently has approximately 45 graduate students. the admissions process is highly competitive; those offered admission are provided with full financial support, with commitments up to five years. support packages include tuition, fees, and salary or stipend, and normally involve a mixture of fellowship, research assistantship, and teaching assistantship., admission to the graduate program .

The admissions application is prepared and submitted online, through the website of UCLA’s Division of Graduate Education . General information about applying to UCLA for graduate study (such as the University’s requirements for admission) is also available at this link. Applicants must meet the  University minimum requirements for admission  (see also the  Frequently Asked Questions  for additional technical information).

Although the department offers both the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees, it normally admits only those students who plan to ultimately pursue a Ph.D. Students are admitted to begin residence in the Fall quarter only.

We assume a background roughly equivalent to a B.A. in Linguistics. This does not mean that the department will not accept applicants with little Linguistics background. Students lacking sufficient background may, however, need to complete preparatory or supplemental courses in their first year.

The typical class size of entering graduate students per year is about seven to ten. We make admissions offers to about 13-15 applicants per year, from an applicant pool of approximately 180.

Admissions decisions are made by an Admissions Committee composed of department faculty. It will be helpful if applicants include on their Statement of Purpose the names of particular faculty they hope to work with, since the Admissions Committee may solicit the opinions of those faculty in making their decision. You may find our list of active ladder faculty on our Faculty Profiles page.

We recommend you review our Graduate Program Overview page , which includes information about our Graduate Student Support packages .

The deadline for submission of applications for the Fall quarter is December 10 of the previous year. The UCLA Application for Graduate Admission for the 2025-26 academic year (for Fall 2025 consideration) will be available in September 2024, with a deadline of December 10, 2024.

The online application consists of the following:

• A statement of purpose , explaining their background for graduate study in linguistics and their immediate and long-range goals in the field. Statements of purpose should primarily focus on intellectual interests and research plans, though autobiographical material can be useful where it is clearly relevant. You can find guiding questions for the statement on the UCLA Division of Graduate Education’s website here , under “Statement of Purpose”; 1,500 word limit for our application.
• If a recommender wants to submit their letter through Interfolio, enter the email address(es) provided by Interfolio for recommenders in the application. Instruct Interfolio to answer all questions on the recommendation forms with the option Dossier Service Completion.
• Transcripts from each academic institution attended. You must upload one copy of current , unofficial transcripts. An unofficial transcript will be issued by the university or college registrar’s office but may be accessed through a student portal. An unofficial transcript may also be a physical, official copy that has been opened and scanned. Do not provide screenshots, degree progress reports, grade audits, or similar printouts as it will not count as an unofficial transcript. If possible, you should rotate the document or page(s) prior to uploading so that the text is upright for reading. Please see the “Admissions Materials” section below for additional information.
• A research paper in linguistics (or a related field). This part of the dossier is very important, and is often given more weight in admissions decisions about admissibility than anything else, since it (potentially) provides evidence of the ability to pursue original research in the field.  Please note that a literature review is less useful than an original research paper. If no paper in linguistics or a related field is available, it is better to include a paper in some non-related field, rather than no paper at all.
• The  University’s English Language Requirement applies to all applicants. Citizenship, U.S. residence and/or work experience are not substitutes for meeting the requirement. Exemptions to submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores can only be made for applicants who meet the criteria as listed on the  English Requirements page on the UCLA Division of Graduate Education’s website. Please see the “Admissions Materials” section below for additional information.
• UCLA’s fellowship application, found in online admissions application. It is useful to inspect the list of UCLA fellowships carefully, to see what you might be qualified for. Applicants are also encouraged to apply for as many extramural fellowships and scholarships as they are eligible . As part of the fellowship application, they require you to submit a Personal Statement: You can find guiding questions for the statement on the UCLA Division of Graduate Education’s website here , under “Personal Statement.” To a limited extent, the Admissions Committee uses the criterion of what students can be supported with available resources.
• Although not required, it also would be useful to include with your application an informal list of the courses you have taken in your desired field . Add any information you think would clarify the kind of work you did, especially if the title of a given course does not reflect the actual course content.
• Please note that the GRE is NOT required for admission to our program . Please do not submit GRE score reports to us, as they will not be considered.

We are not the only linguists at UCLA.  There are graduate programs in  English ,  Indo-European Studies , and specific foreign languages , each with separate admission processes. Please contact these departments directly for information about applying to their graduate programs.

Admissions Materials

Virtually all admissions materials (statement of purpose, research paper/writing sample, transcript etc.) are to be uploaded to the online application. Please contact Graduate Student Affairs Officer if you have any questions.

Transcripts

Transcripts from U.S. institutions

Current, unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the purposes of the application. Acceptable unofficial transcripts from U.S. institutions must:

• Have the word “transcript” on the document
• Have the name of the institution attended or are attending
• Include the student’s name, program of study, and major of study
• Include a term by term breakdown of each course taken with its corresponding units and grade*
• Be clearly legible

* This requirement is waived only for those applicants who attended institutions that do not use a traditional grade or grade point system. For those institutions, there must be a note on the unofficial transcript that states that the institution does not assign grades or grade points.

Transcripts and academic records from institutions outside the U.S.

Please  carefully review the UCLA Division of Graduate Education’s website for degree and academic record(s) requirements . Scans of transcripts and academic records are acceptable for the purposes of the application. If available, please also upload a copy of the degree certificate/diploma along with the transcript. Third-party evaluated transcripts, such as evaluations provided by WES, will not count as a transcript. Unless academic records and diplomas are routinely issued in English by the institution, the records in their original language must be submitted with an authorized, complete, and exact English translation.

All academic records must show the dates of enrollment; the subjects or courses taken, together with the units of credit or time allotted to each subject and, if rank is determined, rank in the total class or group. The records must also include a complete description of the institution’s grading scale or other standard of evaluation. Maximum and minimum marks and the steps between them must be indicated.

Official transcripts and academic records

Applicants who are admitted  and  choose to attend the program must submit their official final transcript(s) showing degree conferral. Applicants who completed post-secondary education outside of the U.S. and  who are admitted  and  choose to attend the program must also provide one original or certified copy of their certificate/diploma showing degree conferral in English and one original certified copy of their certificate/diploma showing degree conferral in their original language. Further instructions regarding the delivery of official final transcript(s) and records will be sent to applicants who are admitted and choose to attend the program.

English Language Requirement

As noted above, the University’s English Language Requirement  applies to all applicants. Citizenship, U.S. residence and/or work experience are not substitutes for meeting the requirement. Exemptions to submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores can only be made for applicants who meet the exemption criteria as listed on the  English Requirements page on the UCLA Division of Graduate Education’s website. If you do not meet the exemption criteria, valid (unexpired) TOEFL or IELTS scores are required. Please note that TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for only two years. The scores must be valid at the time of application submission.

• TOEFL: The minimum score to be considered for admission is  87  on the TOEFL. UCLA does not currently accept  MyBest TOEFL  scores. The institution code for UCLA is  4837 . The linking of TOEFL scores between ETS and the UCLA application only begins after an applicant submits the UCLA application. It may take 5 or more business days after you submit the UCLA application for the TOEFL status on your application to automatically update.
• IELTS:  The minimum overall band score to be considered for admission is  7.0 on the IELTS. Applicants submitting IELTS scores must arrange their scores to be sent to the UCLA Department of Linguistics (address below) and the UCLA Division of Graduate Education. Updating the IELTS status on an application is a manual process that may take several weeks. If you also arranged for IELTS to mail their scores to the Department as described above, then it may take 1 to 2 weeks following receipt of mailed scores for the Department to manually mark scores as received on your application.

Address for IELTS score delivery ATTN: Graduate Student Affairs Officer 335 Portola Plaza 3125 Campbell Hall Los Angeles, CA 90095-1543 (USA)

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many years is the Linguistics Graduate Program?

The normative time to complete the program is 5 years. The department offers both the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees, and all students are expected to complete program requirements at both levels. You may review our Current Graduate Students page to review the normative timeline and requirements for our program.

2. What if I’m an international applicant, and do not meet the eligibility criteria to be exempt from UCLA’s English Language Requirement?

UCLA does not currently accept exception requests to waive the English Language Requirement outside of the exemption criteria listed on UCLA’s Graduate Division website . You will need to take and submit test scores for the TOEFL/IELTS with your graduate program application.

3. Where can I find more information on the graduate application fee waiver?

Please review the University’s fee deferral and waiver requirements and the “Fee Waivers” section in the Admissions FAQs for eligibility requirements and required documentation. All required documentation outlined in the policy must be uploaded to the fee waiver/deferral section of the online application for a request to be considered. If you qualify for multiple deferral or waiver types, only one request type should be selected to prevent any technical issues with the fee deferral/waiver review.

4. If I do not meet the criteria for a fee deferral or waiver, can I submit an exception to the department?

Unfortunately, the university does not accept exceptions to the criteria for fee waivers. These are set at the university level, and individual graduate programs/departments cannot waive this for you.

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Ph.D. Degree

Students enter the Ph.D Program, based upon a vote of the faculty, at the time the M.A. degree is conferred or, if entering with a master’s degree, when all requirements demonstrating basic knowledge in the field of anthropology are completed.

The Ph.D Program

The Ph.D degree requires further study in a more specialized branch of anthropology, requiring at least one further year of academic study.  Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the discipline by successful completion of: (1) the Written Qualifying Examination administered by a three-member Departmental Doctoral Committee, (2) the Oral Qualifying Examination administered by a four-member Ph.D Doctoral Committee and, (3) the writing of an original dissertation based on original research.  The dissertation is expected to be a significant contribution to anthropological literature and knowledge.

Beyond basic requirements, each student’s program of study is unique. Accordingly, academic advising for graduate students in the department is primarily conducted on an individual basis by a student’s faculty adviser. The department’s graduate adviser is primarily responsible for counseling students in regard to program requirements, policies, and university regulations. Upon admission, students will be assigned both a primary and a secondary first-year adviser.

Student progress is periodically reviewed at faculty meetings. Students entering the program with a master’s degree are expected to be evaluated no later than their sixth quarter (spring quarter of their second year). At the Student Review Meeting, which occurs once per academic quarter, the full faculty evaluates the student’s progress in the program: formation of three-member departmental advisory committee; completion of the Proseminar and core courses; and evaluation of the Master’s research paper or thesis. Possible outcomes of the Student Review for students entering with a Master’s degree are: a) continuation to the Ph.D. program requirements; b) one-quarter extension to complete remaining requirements; and c) recommendation for academic disqualification from the Ph.D. program. All students are notified in writing about the outcome of the faculty discussion concerning their continuation to the doctoral program or degree progress. Students continue to be reviewed periodically throughout their time in the PhD program. The purpose of these reviews is to assess academic progress and help to ensure timely completion of the PhD.

Students entering the program with a Master’s degree

Students who are entering the graduate program with a Master’s degree, whether or not in anthropology, are required to demonstrate basic knowledge of the discipline before being permitted to begin the requirements for the doctorate. It is expected that students accomplish this during the first year of academic residence through the following:

• Nominating a three-member departmental advisory committee.
• Completing the Proseminar (Anthropology 200).
• Taking the core course or methods course with a passing grade of B or better.
• Petitioning that course work completed elsewhere, or at UCLA as an undergraduate, constitutes the equivalent of such courses.
• Passing the subfield’s core course examination given in the Spring Quarter.
• Submitting to the student’s departmental advisory committee, for evaluation, a master’s paper or a research paper that was written while in graduate status in their former Master’s program.

Additional Course Requirement for Students in the Sociocultural and Psychocultural-Medical Program: All students in the Sociocultural and Psychocultural-Medical program are required to take Anthropology 283 – Proposal Writing, typically offered in the Spring. Students must consult with their three-member departmental advisory committee chair before enrolling. Students are expected to complete the course in their second year but may complete it no later than the quarter they hold their qualifying examination. Students who entered the graduate program with a Master’s degree must complete this course by their ninth quarter (third year) in the program.

A grade of B or better is required in any core course taken at UCLA. If students received a grade of B-, C+, or C, they may not repeat the core course, but must take the core course examination and pass or be subject to being recommended for academic disqualification. If a grade of C- or below is received, students may repeat the course, but must receive a grade of B or better the second time the course is taken, or be subject to being recommended for academic disqualification.

Only when these requisites have been met are students permitted to begin the requirements for the Ph.D. degree. Completion of 40 units is not required.

Students who completed the M.A in Anthropology at UCLA

Students who are entering the graduate program without a Master’s degree must complete all of the M.A. degree requirements en route to the Ph.D. Following completion of the M.A. degree requirements and permission by the faculty to begin the Ph.D. requirements, students are expected to enroll in three seminars, each with a different faculty member, between receipt of the M.A. degree from the department and taking the doctoral qualifying examinations.

Additional Course Requirement for Students in the Sociocultural and Psychocultural-Medical Program: All students in the Sociocultural and Psychocultural-Medical program are required to take Anthropology 283 – Proposal Writing, typically offered in the Spring. Students must consult with their three-member departmental advisory committee chair before enrolling. Students are expected to complete the course in their second year but may complete it no later than the quarter they hold their qualifying examination. Students who completed the M.A. degree requirements must complete this course by their 12th quarter (fourth year) in the program.

Foreign Language Requirement

Fulfilling the foreign language requirement  is not a requirement to be eligible to apply to the graduate program.

The department requires proficiency in a second language for all students in the Ph.D. program in anthropology. It is the responsibility of the student’s three-member departmental doctoral committee to determine what language(s) are required for their particular program of study.

If the requirement for second language proficiency is to be waived, students must prepare a request for a Ph.D. language requirement waiver, which consists of a letter justifying the request, addressed to the committee and filed with the graduate adviser. The committee must then draft a letter of approval, to be placed in the student’s file. If alternate research skills that are deemed necessary for the program of study for the student’s dissertation have been identified and satisfied, these are noted by the committee. However, no specific other courses or skills are obligatory.

If foreign language proficiency is required, proficiency will be determined by the three-member departmental doctoral committee and may include but is not limited to:

• Completion of an appropriate level of language instruction; or
• Demonstration of previously acquired language skills through documentation or an examination; or
• Submission of an annotated bibliography, in English, of selected publications (in the selected language) that are related to the student’s dissertation topic.

The bibliography may be supplemented by a related analytical examination question or further translation examination.

For students required to demonstrate foreign language proficiency, all monitoring of the requirement takes place within the department. The committee chair is responsible for consulting with other committee members about the language requirement and plans for proficiency testing, and notifying them of the results of those tests, or otherwise providing them with copies of the documentation of proficiency.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

The qualifying examinations for the Ph.D. degree consist of a written and an oral examination. The timing of these examinations is set in consultation with the members of the doctoral committee. Students must be registered and enrolled to take the qualifying examinations. The committee for each examination determines the conditions for reexamination should students not pass either portion of the qualifying examinations.

Departmental members of the doctoral committee administer the written portion of the qualifying examination. The fields and format of the examination are to be determined by the student’s departmental doctoral committee. There must be a minimum of two weeks between completion of the written examination and the scheduled date for the oral portion of the qualifying examination.

The University Oral Qualifying Examination is primarily a defense of the dissertation proposal. This examination is administered by the four-member doctoral committee.

Doctoral Dissertation

Doctoral candidates must complete an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research, and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination

The department does not require a final oral defense of the dissertation. However, individual doctoral committees can institute this requirement if they deem it important to do so; this decision is made by the doctoral committee.

Time to Degree

Full-time students admitted without deficiencies normally progress as follows:

Entering without a Master’s degree

• Completion of M.A. degree  and approval to begin the Ph.D. requirements: End of sixth quarter
• Selection of three internal members of the doctoral committee: During ninth quarter
• Four-person doctoral committee nomination: End of 11th quarter
• Completion of foreign language requirement, unless exempted: During 12th quarter
• Completion of written and oral qualifying examinations: Expected by end of 12th quarter
• Advancement to candidacy: Expected by end of 12th quarter
• Final oral examination (dissertation defense), if applicable: Expected by end of 24th quarter
• Normative time-to-degree: 24 quarters (8 years)

Entering with a Master’s degree

• Selection of three internal members of the doctoral committee: During sixth quarter
• Approval to begin the Ph.D requirements: End of sixth quarter
• Four-person doctoral committee nomination: End of eighth quarter
• Completion of foreign language requirement, unless exempted: During ninth quarter
• Completion of written and oral qualifying examinations: Expected by end of ninth quarter
• Advancement to candidacy: Expected by end of ninth quarter
• Final oral examination (dissertation defense), if applicable: Expected by end of 21st quarter
• Expected time-to-degree: 21st quarter (7 years)

If feasible, students may complete the program before the expected or normative time-to-degree.

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Graduate Application Requirements

Application deadlines, online application, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or graduate coursework, recommendation letters, toefl/ielts, statement of purpose, writing sample, application for departmental funding, personal history statement, proof of funding for international students.

The UCLA Application for Graduate Admission . typically becomes available on the second Monday of September. Applications for the following Fall Quarter are accepted September through December 15th.

All applications must be paid and submitted by the deadline, December 15th midnight (PST), in order to be considered for admission. Late applications will not be considered. Updates to application materials will not be accepted. Please read the instructions carefully and double-check all aspects of the application before submitting.

All candidates to the MS and PhD programs must have received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited and recognized college or university.  The University Graduate Division requires that applicants have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0/4.0.  However, the most competitive applicants have GPAs within the range of the most recently admitted applications.  These statistics are listed here .

Applicants must upload a copy of their transcript as part of their electronic application.  UCLA is no longer requiring official transcripts at the time of the application. Applicants who are recommended for admission and accept our offer will then be required to submit official transcripts from their institutions.

International Students who are admitted to our program are still advised to submit official transcripts if they are recommended for admission as UCLA will not be able to issue the required documents needed to apply for a student visa.

Note: All applicants are still required to upload unofficial transcripts as part of the online application..

The shipping address for these documents is:

UCLA Electrical and Computer Engineering Office of Graduate Student Affairs 420 Westwood Plaza 57-127 Engineering IV Los Angeles, CA 90095-1594 U.S.A ATTN: Admissions Coordinator

Applicants who have completed any graduate-level coursework, must provide official records from the institution(s) where the coursework was taken.  Applicants who hold a master’s degree are expected to apply directly to the PhD program.  In addition to uploading a copy of the bachelor’s degree transcript, applicants who have taken graduate coursework must also upload a copy of their graduate transcript(s) as part of their electronic application.  UCLA is no longer requiring official transcripts at the time of the application. Applicants who are recommended for admission and accept our offer will then be required to submit official transcripts from their institutions.

UCLA Electrical and Computer Engineering Office of Graduate Student Affairs 420 Westwood Plaza 57-127 Engineering IV Los Angeles, CA 90095-1594 U.S.A

Students who wish to apply for admission to our graduate program are not required to submit GRE test scores as part of their application package. GRE scores are entirely optional. Applications that include GRE scores will not be given preference.

If a student submits their GRE test scores, they may be considered as part of the holistic application review. Those who choose to do so should have the Educational Testing Service (ETS) report official scores by 5:00PM (PST) on January 15th at the latest. GRE scores are valid for 5 years prior to the date of application.

Institution Code = 4837 Department Code = 1203

All applicants must provide the name and email address for 3 individuals who have agreed to provide letters of recommendation.

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department prefers letters from academic faculty.  However, applicants may choose to provide ONE letter from a professional reference.  The application allows for 4 letters to be submitted. Only the first 3 letters are guaranteed to be reviewed.  Applicants may choose to provide a 4th letter if they wish.

The online application program allows applicants the ability to send reminders, change recommendation letter writer information, and verify receipt of letters of recommendation.  Letters must be received electronically by 5:00PM (PST) on January 3.

All letters must be submitted using the online application.  No paper or emailed letters are accepted by the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.

Applicants who have studied outside of the USA or in another country in which English is the primary spoken language of daily life and the medium of instruction are required to provide TOEFL or IELTS test scores.  The minimum scores required are

TOEFL minimums are: IELTS minimum of 7.0 Internet total of 87 Computer total of 220 Paper total of 560

Applicants who must provide proof of English proficiency must have the Educational Testing Service (ETS) or IELTS report official scores by 5:00PM (PST) on January 15.  Applicants are also encouraged to upload copies of their student score reports in the additional documents section of their electronic application.

TOEFL & IELTS scores are valid two years prior to application.  Additional details on this requirement are outlined on the UCLA Graduate Division website .

TOEFL Institution Code = 4837 TOEFL Department Code = 66

The shipping address for the IELTS score report is:

UCLA Electrical and Computer Engineering Office of Graduate Student Affairs 420 Westwood Plaza 57-127 Engineering IV Los Angeles, CA 90095-1594

Note : The UCLA Graduate Division has changed their application format only allowing applicants to submit a 500-word limit Statement of Purpose (SOP). Applicants applying to the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department may still submit a two-page SOP by uploading the document as part of the ‘Supporting Documents’ section. We ask that in the SOP section you type the following message “SOP uploaded in the supporting documents section” so that we are aware that you are attaching a two-page SOP.

The Statement of Purpose (SOP) should be precise and brief.  The statement should be no more than 2 pages and should contain only those personal details that would aid the admissions review process.

The SOP is also used to match admitted students with assigned advisors.  All applicants are encouraged to be as specific as possible in their SOP.  General descriptions such as “Electrical Engineering” are not specific enough.  Indicating what branch of Electrical Engineering (such as communications, signal processing, controls, etc.) interests you is much more helpful in the review and advisor matching process.

Please note: No updates of the SOP are accepted.  All applicants are encouraged to double-check all aspects of their application before submitting.  The document included in the application is the ONLY one accepted by the department.

A Resume/CV is required from all applicants. Please upload the Resume/CV onto the “Supporting Documents” section of the application.

Please note: No updates of the Resume/CV are accepted.  All applicants are encouraged to double-check all aspects of their application before submitting.  The document included in the application is the ONLY one accepted by the department.

The writing sample is part of the University application.  It is not required by the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.  However, if a writing sample is submitted as part of the application, it will be available for the review committee’s consideration and may be used as part of the evaluation.  No updates of the writing sample will be accepted.  All applicants are encouraged to double-check all aspects of their application before submitting.

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department does not have a separate application for departmental funding.  All admitted students are considered for departmental funding.

TA positions are reserved for students in their 2nd+ year in our program.  Therefore, first year applicants are not eligible for TA positions.

Each faculty member determines which students (both those recommended for admission by the admissions committee, and current ECE Graduate students) will be offered GSR positions in his/her lab.

More Funding Information is located by using the link on the left.

The personal history statement is part of the University application. It is not required by the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. However, if a personal history statement is submitted as part of the application, it will be available for the review committee’s consideration and may be used as part of the evaluation. No updates of the personal history statement will be accepted. All applicants are encouraged to double-check all aspects of their application before submitting.

Proof of Funding is not considered in the review for admission.  However, admitted, international students must provide proof of funding in order to receive the I-20 or DS-2019 required for their visa application with the U.S Embassy or Consulate.

Admitted, F-1 students who have completed the Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) will receive an email with instructions on how to request the I-20 online.  Once the I-20 is generated, it will be released to the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Office of Graduate Student Affairs (ECE OGSA).  The ECE OGSA staff will then email the student with a pdf scan of the document and additional shipping information.

Admitted students seeking J-1 status must coordinate with the Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars (DCISS) and the ECE OGSA in order to verify that all necessary paperwork is processed for the DS-2019.

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Clinical Psychology

Mission statement.

Our mission is to advance knowledge that promotes psychological well-being and reduces the burden of mental illness and problems in living and to develop leading clinical scientists whose skills and knowledge will have a substantial impact on the field of psychology and the lives of those in need. Our faculty and graduate students promote critical thinking, innovation, and discovery, and strive to be leaders in their field, engaging in and influencing research, practice, policy, and education. Our pursuit of these goals is guided by the values of collaboration, mutual respect, and fairness, our commitment to diversity, and the highest ethical standards.

Information about the Clinical Psychology Graduate Major

UCLA’s Clinical Psychology program is one of the largest, most selective, and most highly regarded in the country and aims to produce future faculty, researchers, and leaders in clinical science, who influence research, policy development, and practice. Clinical science is a field of psychology that strives to generate and disseminate the best possible knowledge, whether basic or applied, to reduce suffering and to advance public health and wellness. Rather than viewing research and intervention as separable, clinical science construes these activities as part of a single, broad domain of expertise and action. Students in the program are immersed in an empirical, research-based approach to clinical training. This, in turn, informs their research endeavors with a strong understanding of associated psychological phenomena. The UCLA Clinical Science Training Programs employs rigorous methods and theories from multiple perspectives, in the context of human diversity. Our goal is to develop the next generation of clinical scientists who will advance and share knowledge related to the origins, development, assessment, treatment, and prevention of mental health problems.

Admissions decisions are based on applicants’ research interests and experiences, formal coursework in psychology and associated fields, academic performance, letters of recommendation, dedication to and suitability for a career as a clinical scientist, program fit, and contributions to an intellectually rich, diverse class. Once admitted, students engage with faculty in research activities addressing critical issues that impact psychological well-being and the burden of mental illness, using a wide range of approaches and at varying levels of analysis. Their integrated training is facilitated by on-campus resources including the departmental Psychology Clinic, the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, and the David Geffen School of Medicine.

Our program philosophy is embodied in, and our goals are achieved through, a series of training activities that prepare students for increasingly complex, demanding, and independent roles as clinical scientists. These training activities expose students to the reciprocal relationship between scientific research and provision of clinical services, and to various systems and methods of intervention, assessment, and other clinical services with demographically and clinically diverse populations. The curriculum is designed to produce scientifically-minded scholars who are well-trained in research and practice, who use data to develop and refine the knowledge base in their field, and who bring a reasoned empirical perspective to positions of leadership in research and service delivery.

The program’s individualized supervision of each student in integrated research and practice roles provides considerable flexibility. Within the parameters set by faculty interests and practicum resources, there are specializations in child psychopathology and treatment, cognitive-behavior therapy, clinical assessment, adult psychopathology and treatment, family processes, assessment and intervention with distressed couples, community psychology, stress and coping, cognitive and affective neuroscience, minority mental health, and health psychology and behavioral medicine. The faculty and other research resources of the Department make possible an intensive concentration in particular areas of clinical psychology, while at the same time ensuring breadth of training.

Clinical psychology at UCLA is a six-year program including a full-time one-year internship, at least four years of which must be completed in residence at UCLA. The curriculum in clinical psychology is based on a twelve-month academic year. The program includes a mixture of coursework, clinical practicum training, teaching, and continuous involvement in research. Many of the twenty clinical area faculty, along with numerous clinical psychologists from other campus departments, community clinics, and hospitals settings, contribute to clinical supervision.  Clinical training experiences typically include four and a half years of part-time practicum placements in the Psychology Clinic and local agencies. The required one-year full-time internship is undertaken after the student has passed the clinical qualifying examinations and the dissertation preliminary orals. The student receives the Ph.D. degree when both the dissertation and an approved internship are completed.

Accreditation

PCSAS – Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System

The Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology at UCLA was accredited in 2012 by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). PCSAS was created to promote science-centered education and training in clinical psychology, to increase the quality and quantity of clinical scientists contributing to the advancement of public health, and to enhance the scientific knowledge base for mental and behavioral health care. The UCLA program is deeply committed to these goals and proud to be a member of the PCSAS Founder’s Circle and one of the group of programs accredited by PCSAS.  (Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System, 1800 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 402, Washington, DC 20036-1218. Telephone: 301-455-8046). Website:  https://www.pcsas.org

APA CoA – American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation

The Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology at UCLA has been accredited by the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation since 1949. (Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street NE. Washington, DC 20002-4242. Telephone:  202-336-5979 .) Website:  http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/

Future Accreditation Plans:  

Against the backdrop of distressing evidence that mental health problems are increasingly prevalent and burdensome, the field of psychological clinical science must think innovatively to address the unmet mental health needs of vulnerable populations. UCLA’s clinical psychology program remains committed to training clinical psychological scientists who will become leaders in research, dissemination, and implementation of knowledge, policy development, and evidence-based clinical practice. This commitment is firmly rooted in our overall mission of promoting equity and inclusion, adhering to ethical standards, and developing collaborations in all aspects of clinical psychology.

Increasingly, we believe that significant aspects of the academic and clinical-service requirements of accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA) obstruct our training mission. Too often, APA requirements limit our ability to flexibly adapt our program to evolving scientific evidence, student needs, and global trends in mental health. Like many other top clinical science doctoral programs, we see our longstanding accreditation by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) as better aligned with our core values, including advancement of scientifically-based training.

Accordingly, we are unlikely to seek renewal of our program’s accreditation by APA, which is set to expire in 2028. The ultimate decision about re-accreditation will be made with the best interests and well-being of current and future students in our program in mind. To that end, we will continue to monitor important criteria that will determine the career prospects of students completing a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from programs accredited only by PCSAS. For example, we are working to understand the potential implications for securing excellent predoctoral internships and eligibility for professional licensure across jurisdictions in North America. Although the UCLA clinical psychology program has no direct influence over these external organizations, we are excited to continue to work to shape this evolving training landscape with the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science (APCS) and leaders from other clinical science programs.

Our ongoing monitoring of trends in clinical psychology training is encouraging for PCSAS-accredited programs. However, evolving circumstances could result in our program changing its opinion with respect to seeking APA re-accreditation in the future. In the spirit of transparency and empowering potential applicants to make informed choices for their own professional development, we are pleased to share our thinking on these important issues.

Notice to Students re: Professional Licensure and Certification

University of California programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student for California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the University of California and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.

The University of California has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether, if they complete a University of California program, they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).

NOTE:  Although the UCLA Clinical Psychology Program is not designed to ensure license eligibility, the majority of our graduates do go on to become professionally licensed.  For more information, please see  https://www.ucop.edu/institutional-research-academic-planning/content-analysis/academic-planning/licensure-and-certification-disclosures.html .

Clinical Program Policy on Diversity-Related Training 

In light of our guiding values of collaboration, respect, and fairness, this statement is to inform prospective and current trainees, faculty, and supervisors, as well as the public, that our trainees are required to (a) attain an understanding of cultural and individual diversity as related to both the science and practice of psychology and (b) provide competent and ethical services to diverse individuals.  Our primary consideration is always the welfare of the client.  Should such a conflict arise in which the trainee’s beliefs, values, worldview, or culture limits their ability to meet this requirement, as determined by either the student or the supervisor, it should be reported to the Clinic and Placements Committee, either directly or through a supervisor or clinical area faculty member.  The Committee will take a developmental view, such that if the competency to deliver services cannot be sufficiently developed in time to protect and serve a potentially impacted client, the committee will (a) consider a reassignment of the client so as to protect the client’s immediate interests, and (b) request from the student a plan to reach the above-stated competencies, to be developed and implemented in consultation with both the trainee’s supervisor and the Clinic Director.  There should be no reasonable expectation of a trainee being exempted from having clients with any particular background or characteristics assigned to them for the duration of their training.

Clinical Program Grievance Policies & Procedures

Unfortunately, conflicts between students and faculty or with other students will occur, and the following policies and procedures are provided in an effort to achieve the best solution. The first step in addressing these conflicts is for the student to consult with their academic advisor. If this option is not feasible (e.g. the conflict is with the advisor) or the conflict is not resolved to their satisfaction, then the issue should be brought to the attention of the Director of Clinical Training. If in the unlikely event that an effective solution is not achieved at this level, then the student has the option of consulting with the Department’s Vice Chair for Graduate Studies. Students also have the option of seeking assistance from the campus Office of Ombuds Services and the Office of the Dean of Students. It is expected that all such conflicts are to be addressed first within the program, then within the Department, before seeking a resolution outside of the department.

More Clinical Psychology Information

• For a list of Required Courses please see the  Psychology Handbook
• Psychology Clinic
• Student Admissions Outcomes and Other Data

Chemistry PhD Program Detailed Degree Requirements

Please visit the the ucla graduate division – chemistry phd page for the latest detailed degree requirements.

Graduate Program Requirements

Graduate degrees.

The Cesar E. Chavez Department of Chicana/o and Central American Studies offers the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Chicana and Chicano Studies.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degrees

The M.A. degree in Chicana and Chicano Studies is not intended to be a stand-alone, terminal degree, but is, rather, a requirement for the Ph.D. Students admitted to the Ph.D. program without an M.A. degree will follow  Plan A , as described below. Students entering the Ph.D. program with an approved M.A. thesis should follow  Plan B (see under Doctoral Degree).

A faculty member is assigned as provisional adviser to each incoming student until a permanent faculty adviser is selected in the second year. The faculty adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies assist students with planning their program of study. Students are expected to meet with their faculty adviser at least once a quarter, usually at the beginning of the quarter to have their enrollment plan approved. The Graduate Student Affairs Officer provides assistance with policy and procedure.

Areas of Study

One distinctive feature of our program is its foundational interdisciplinarity. The program integrates four areas of study that are drawn from the research and curricular strengths of the core and joint faculty of Chicana/o and Central American Studies.

M.A. and Ph.D. students may take courses in each of the four areas:

• Border and Transnational Studies
• Expressive Arts
• History, Culture, and Language of the Americas
• Labor, Law, and Policy Studies

Please note that the research paradigms of genders and sexualities, power and inequalities, and the colonial-decolonial-postcolonial intersect with all four areas.

Foreign Language Requirement

Students at the M.A. level must demonstrate reading fluency in Spanish in one of two ways

• Passing a departmentally-administered written examination
• Completing two years of Spanish  at an institution of higher learning, with a grade of C or better.

Students are required to complete the Spanish language requirement by the end of the winter quarter of the second year of graduate study.

Course Requirements

Students must successfully complete a total of 40 units (normally ten courses), completed while in graduate status and taken for a letter grade with a minimum 3.0 grade-point average. Of the 40 units, at least 32 must be completed at the graduate level. Up to four units of upper division undergraduate courses may be applied to the 40-unit requirement. One 500-series course (up to four units) may be applied toward the 40-unit requirement

Required courses:

• Chicana/o Studies 200, 201, and 202 (12 units) are required and should be taken within the first two years.
• Four graduate courses (16 units) in areas that relate most closely to the student’s research interests, all of which should be taken in the department.
• Two elective courses (eight units) of graduate and/or upper division undergraduate courses taken within or outside the department.
• Four units of Chicana/o Studies 595 (master’s thesis research) or 596 (Directed Individual Studies or Research).

Students may take up to a maximum of 12 units of Chicana/o Studies 595, and up to a maximum of 12 units of Chicana/o Studies 596 in a single academic year.  However, students may not take more than one Chicana/o Studies 596 per quarter before the M.A. degree requirements are completed.

The minimum course load is 12 units per quarter. Students must be continuously registered and enrolled unless they are on an approved leave of absence.

Teaching Experience:

New Teaching Assistants must enroll in Chicana/o Studies 495 preferably before or during the quarter when they receive their first teaching appointment. In the following quarters, Teaching Assistants must enroll in Chicana/o Studies 375; enrollment in 375 may be used toward the minimum course load of 12 units per quarter. Neither of these courses may be counted toward the degree requirements.

Field Experience:

Not required.

Capstone Plan:

Thesis Plan:

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

Students will complete the M.A. degree by writing an original interdisciplinary research paper, critical reflection, or creative portfolio that integrates knowledge learned in their graduate course work. The M.A. thesis should be submitted by spring quarter of their second year, but no later than the seventh quarter (normally fall quarter of the third year). Students must enroll in Chicana/o Studies 595 (M.A. Thesis Research) under the guidance of their faculty adviser to produce the thesis. The thesis is evaluated on a pass/no pass basis.

The thesis committee will consist of the student’s faculty adviser and two ladder-ranked faculty, one of which should be from the list of core or jointly-appointed faculty in the department, and the other may be from outside the department. The thesis committee should be appointed by the Graduate Division no later than spring quarter of the student’s second year.

Time-to-Degree:

The normative time-to-degree (TTD) for full-time students is six quarters and the maximum time-to-degree is seven quarters.

DOCTORAL DEGREE

Students who already have a Master’s degree in Chicana and Chicano Studies or in a related field must submit their Master’s thesis once admitted to the program. The department’s Graduate Committee will evaluate the submitted material to determine whether or not it fulfills the M.A. requirements of the program.  If the Master’s thesis is deemed satisfactory, the student will be allowed to enter the Ph.D. program under Plan B (see Doctoral Degree Course Requirements below).

The Director of the Graduate Program and the Graduate Student Affairs Officer (SAO) assist students with planning their program of study and guide them toward the fulfillment of the program requirements. Students should select their faculty adviser and mentor by the end of the second year. After completing course work for the Ph.D., but before taking the University Oral Qualifying Examination, the student submits a four-person doctoral committee that requires approval of the department’s Graduate Committee and appointment by the Graduate Division. The doctoral committee is responsible for supervision, review, and approval of the doctoral dissertation. The SAO provides assistance with policy and procedure.

Major or Subfield Disciplines

Students at the Ph.D. level must demonstrate reading fluency in Spanish in one of two ways: (1) passing a departmentally-administered written examination; or (2) completing two years of Spanish language instruction at an institution of higher learning, with a grade of C or better.

For students under Plan A, who have completed all the course requirements for the M.A. as described above, a minimum of 24 additional units (normally six graduate courses), taken for a letter grade, are required to complete the Ph.D. These 24 units should provide more depth to the student’s preparation in the field and research agenda. Eight units (2 courses) may be taken outside the department.

Students entering the Ph.D. program with an approved M.A. thesis are expected to take a minimum of 44 units (regularly 11 courses), taken for a letter grade, as follows:

• Eight graduate courses in the research areas of specialization (32 units), 3 of which may be taken outside the department.

Units taken in the 500-series—Chicana/o Studies 596 (Directed Individual Studies or Research), Chicana/o Studies 597 (Preparation for Qualifying Exams) or Chicana/o Studies 599 (doctoral dissertation research)—may not be applied toward course requirements for the Ph.D. degree.

Students may not take more than 12 units of Chicana/o Studies 597, and no more than 12 units of Chicana/o Studies 596 per academic year, before the Ph.D. course work requirements are completed. Students are eligible to enroll in 599 units only after advancing to PhD candidacy.

All doctoral students are expected to fulfill at least one year of teaching experience as teaching assistants in the department.

New teaching assistants must enroll in Chicana/o Studies 495 preferably before or during the quarter when they receive their first teaching appointment. In the following quarters, teaching assistants must enroll in Chicana/o Studies 375; enrollment in 375 may be used toward the minimum course load of 12 units per quarter. Neither of these courses may be counted toward the degree requirements.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations:

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution .

The Qualifying Examinations consist of written and oral sections. All course work and language requirements must be completed before the examination takes place. Prior to taking the exams, an examination committee should be formed. In consultation with the dissertation adviser, students choose two other committee members, one of which could be a faculty who holds a joint appointment with the department, and whose interests and fields of expertise support research in the proposed dissertation topic. These three department faculty members constitute the departmental examination committee, which is responsible for administering the Written Qualifying Exams. The examination committee should be constituted no later than the quarter preceding that in which the examination is given.

The Written Qualifying Examination consists of two essays based on the student’s course work, research interests, and familiarity with the field. Students have two weeks to complete both essays. The first essay seeks to evaluate the student’s knowledge of the Chicana/Chicano Studies field. It will consist of a literature review based on a reading list of a minimum of 50 texts drawn up by the student in consultation with his/her/their dissertation adviser. The core part of this bibliography will be based on the department reading list. The question for the first essay will be developed by the graduate advisers of students taking the exam in any given quarter.

The second essay will be related to the student’s dissertation research; it will require a theoretical grounding in the student’s areas of specialization, an ability to define and apply interdisciplinary methodology, and a well-supported argument..

Students may enroll in up to 12 units of Chicana/o Studies 597 (examination preparation) to help prepare for the exam. Students who fail to pass either part of the Written Qualifying Examination may retake it once without petition, as early as the following quarter. Students who fail the Written Qualifying Examination a second time will not advance to doctoral candidacy and will be recommended for academic disqualification.

Following completion of the Written Qualifying Examination, students are required to take the University Oral Qualifying Examination no later than Spring of the fourth year. The oral examination is approximately two hours in length and is focused on the student’s dissertation proposal, which should draw from Essay 2 of the Written Qualifying Exam. The University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the members of the doctoral committee and the student.

Both the Written and the Oral Qualifying Examinations will be evaluated on a pass/no pass basis.

Advancement to Candidacy:

Students are advanced to candidacy and awarded the Candidate in Philosophy degree (C.Phil.) upon successful completion of the Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation:

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the student’s principal fields of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation):

No public defense of the dissertation is required, but the doctoral committee, in conjunction with the student, may opt to voluntarily hold a defense of the dissertation.

Full-time graduate students should normally complete the requirements for the Ph.D. degree within five years of completion of the requirements for the master’s degree, with the total time from admission to the completion of the Ph.D. being seven years (21 quarters). The maximum time-to-degree (TTD) is 24 quarters.

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing termination of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

A recommendation for academic disqualification is made by the Director of Graduate Studies after a vote of the department’s faculty. Before the recommendation is sent to Graduate Division, a student is notified in writing and given two weeks to respond in writing to the Chair. An appeal is reviewed by the department’s faculty, which makes the final departmental recommendation to Graduate Division.

UCLA is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and by numerous special agencies. Information regarding the University’s accreditation may be obtained from the Office of Academic Planning and Budget, 2107 Murphy Hall.

Contact Us: 

Janeth Ruvalcaba

As a land grant institution, the Chicana/o and Central American Studies department at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (Los Angeles basin, So. Channel Islands).

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the deadline to turn in the application.

Our deadline each year is the first Friday in January.

How many letters of recommendation do I need, and by whom should they be written?

Three (3). It is suggested that letters be written by academics or other individuals who are in a position to judge your research potential.

How much is the application fee?

The non-refundable application fee is $135 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents; $155 for international applicants.

Do I need to send official transcripts to the Ph.D. office?

No, we do not require official transcripts during the application process. Please upload all transcripts and transcript grading systems (usually on the back of the transcript), diplomas, and degree certificates to the online application.

500 words is too limiting for my Statement of Purpose. Can I write a longer statement of purpose?

Yes! Many of our areas prefer a longer statement. There is no enforced limit for the length of your Statement of Purpose.

I can't find my area in the application's list of majors. Where can I find it?

In the application on the page "Plans for Graduate Study" select "Management- MS, Ph.D." from the "Major" drop down box. Once you make that selection, a page called "Management" will be added on the left side of the screen under "Plans for Graduate Study". On the "Management" page you may select your area of specialization from the drop down box under the section titled "Academic Area".

What are the institution and department codes for the GMAT, GRE and TOEFL exams?

• GMAT: 2NZ-2F-67
• GRE: 6986 (or 4837)
• TOEFL: 4837-02

Which test is preferred, the GMAT or the GRE?

We accept both tests. If you have not taken either test then we recommend the GRE.

When do GRE/GMAT results expire?

The test must have been taken within five (5) years of the submission date of the UCLA Graduate Division online application. For example, if you took the exam on January 1, 2015, you would need to complete the UCLA Graduate Division online application no later than January 1, 2020.

If I am not from the United States or another English-speaking country, do I need to take the TOEFL?

International applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a university located in the United States or in another country in which English is both the spoken language and the medium of instruction, or who have completed at least two years of full-time study at such an institution, are exempt from the TOEFL requirement.

What is the minimum TOEFL score or IELTS score that is required?

The minimum score for the TOEFL iBT is 87 out of 120. The IELTS minimum overall band score is 7.0.

Is the Ph.D. Program designated as STEM?

Yes! International students that graduate from the program may apply for the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension Program

What is the average GMAT or GRE score for admitted applicants who accepted the offer?

• Average GRE Quantitative: 167
• Average GRE Verbal: 162
• Average GRE Writing: 5
• Average GMAT total: 735

What is the average GPA for admitted applicants who accepted the offer?

• Average undergraduate GPA: 3.76
• Average graduate GPA (graduate work is not a requirement): 3.8

How many people are admitted to each area of the program each year?

There is no quota that the areas fill each year. The number of applicants accepted depends upon the quality of the applicant pool.

What percentage of applicants are usually admitted to the program?

Between 4 and 6 percent of doctoral program applicants receive an offer of admission.

Are interviews part of the application process?

Interviews are not required, but the committee may reach out to select applicants for an interview.

How long is the program?

The program is designed to be completed in four years, though it often takes students a fifth year to complete degree requirements. Students enroll full time, taking a minimum of 12 graduate units per quarter.

Will I be offered a position as a teacher's assistant or research assistant?

Students are typically offered TA and RA positions. These positions constitute a portion of financial assistance.

Will I be offered a scholarship or a stipend?

All admitted applicants are offered a five-year funding package contingent on satisfactory progress in the program.

If I already have an advanced degree, will the program be shorter for me?

Not really. A maximum of three of the eight required breadth courses can be waived based on previous graduate work. This equates to one (1) quarter of enrollment.

Can I apply to more than one area of specialization?

No. You may apply to only one area of specialization.

Should I submit research papers or writing samples?

A writing sample is not required. However, papers that you have written or that have been published are welcomed and will be considered in support of your application.

Can I work while I am in the program?

The UCLA Anderson Doctoral Program is a full-time program and is not geared to working professionals. Part-time student status is not permitted. Part-time teaching assistantships and research assistantships at UCLA Anderson are available to our doctoral students.

When will I find out whether I am accepted or denied admission?

You will be informed of a decision via email on or before April 15. Once a decision has been made, an email will be sent from the UCLA Graduate Division to the email address you provide in the application. The email does not contain the decision. Instead, you will be advised how to access your decision letter. Please note that the decision cannot be given over the telephone.

Can I reapply if I have been denied admission?

Yes, applications and accompanying documents are retained in the doctoral program office for three years.

How do I reapply to the program?

To reapply or to be readmitted, you must submit a complete online application and pay the fee. If you are reapplying or are requesting to be readmitted after three years or more from the date of your initial application or attendance, you must also submit all required documents (three letters of recommendation, transcripts, statement of purpose and official test score report), along with the application fee of $105 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents or $125 for international applicants.

Where can I find information about student housing?

• UCLA Community Housing Office
• UCLA Housing & Hospitality Services

Can I check my application status over the telephone or via email?

No, for purposes of confidentiality, we will not give information regarding your application status via telephone or email. An email acknowledging receipt of your application will be sent to you at the time you submit your application online.

What is the mailing address where I can send my supplemental materials?

Supplemental materials should be scanned and uploaded to your online application. If you have difficulty scanning and uploading application materials, you may mail them to the following address:

UCLA Anderson School of Management Doctoral Program Office 110 Westwood Plaza, Suite C401a Los Angeles, CA 90095-1481

Do applicants have to submit personal history statement in addition to a statement of purpose?

No. We only require a statement of purpose. If applicants would like to submit a personal history statement, they can, but it is optional.

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First-Year Requirements

In addition to your UC application, we take both your academic record and your personal experiences into consideration during the review process . At UCLA, we seek students who have excelled academically and gained valuable perspective from the personal experiences that have helped shape their lives.

Read on to find out more.

The Criteria We Consider

When reviewing an application, we implement a holistic review process, which includes looking at some of the following criteria:

• Achievement in high school or college coursework
• Personal qualities
• Likely contributions to the intellectual and cultural vitality of our campus
• Achievement in academic enrichment programs
• Other achievements in any field of intellectual or creative endeavor, including the performing arts, athletics, community service, etc.

Academic Preparation

You must complete 15 A-G courses with at least 11 courses finished prior to the beginning of your last year of high school. To be competitive in the UCLA admission process, applicants should present an academic profile much stronger than any minimum UC admission requirements.  See below for a listing of the A-G requirements:

• 2 years history/social science
• 4 years of college-preparatory English
• 3 years of mathematics (4 years recommended)
• 2 years of laboratory science (3 years recommended)
• 2 years of language other than English (3 years recommended)
• 1 year of visual and performing arts (if available)
• 1 year of college-preparatory elective

Keep in mind that there is no single academic path we expect all students to follow. However, competitive applicants earn high marks in the most rigorous curriculum available to them.   Each application for admission is reviewed within the context of courses available to that student. If a particular required subject is not available, we’ll consider your application without it.

Standardized Testing (SAT/ACT)

UCLA will not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes.

If you choose to submit test scores as part of your application, they may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after you enroll.

UCLA’s ACT number: 0448 UCLA’s College Board (SAT) number: 4837

Personal Insight Questions

These personal questions are just that — personal. This is your chance to augment the information elsewhere in your application and give us more insight into you during the review process.  Our hope is to hear your true, authentic voice in your responses.   As a first-year applicant, you may respond to four of eight questions. Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words. Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. You should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Because we receive more applicants than we have room to accept, admitted students usually have academic achievements far higher than the minimum requirements. So, to be “competitive” is to be among the strongest achieving students to apply.

We look for students who take advantage of the academic opportunities available to them. If you have advanced courses, we encourage you to take advantage of them. The University of California adds extra weight to grades received in UC-certified honors, AP, IB and transferable college courses.

We do not require or accept letters of recommendation in our process and we do not collect transcripts at the point of application . However, once admitted, students are required to submit official transcripts f rom any high school or college they have attended . Some professional schools may request a letter of recommendation as part of their supplemental application process.

We do not offer admission interviews. Applicants are considered for admission based upon the information they submit in the UC application . However, some majors in our  specialty schools require a supplemental application as part of their admission process. Supplemental applications may involve an audition, portfolio submission and/or letters of recommendation. Find out more from the supplemental applications page.

Supplemental Applications

Of course, a strong academic performance combined with sustained, meaningful involvement in extracurricular activities is the ideal. But if it comes down to a choice between excelling in your coursework or your extracurricular activities, choose your academics.

UCLA will honor full IGETC certification from a first-year student if the requirements were completed before entering UC. Partial IGETC, however, will not be accepted from entering first-years at any UC campus and IGETC is not recommended for applicants to the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

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Admission Steps

Higher education - phd, admission requirements.

Terms and Deadlines

Degree and GPA Requirements

Additional Standards for Non-Native English Speakers

Additional standards for international applicants.

For the 2025-2026 academic year

See 2024-2025 requirements instead

Fall 2025 quarter (beginning in September)

Priority deadline: December 2, 2024

Final submission deadline: June 16, 2025

International submission deadline: May 5, 2025

Priority deadline: Applications will be considered after the Priority deadline provided space is available.

Final submission deadline: Applicants cannot submit applications after the final submission deadline.

Degrees and GPA Requirements

Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.

Masters degree: This program requires a masters degree as well as the baccalaureate.

University GPA requirement: The minimum grade point average for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver must meet one of the following criteria:

A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the baccalaureate degree.

A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree.

An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the recognized equivalent from an international institution supersedes the minimum GPA requirement for the baccalaureate.

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework completed for applicants who have not earned a master’s degree or higher.

Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), C1 Advanced or Duolingo English Test are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years from the test date.

The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test score requirements for this degree program are:

Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80

Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5

Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176

Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115

Additional Information:

Read the English Language Proficiency policy for more details.

Read the Required Tests for GTA Eligibility policy for more details.

Per Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulation, international applicants must meet all standards for admission before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, [per U.S. Federal Register: 8 CFR § 214.3(k)] or is academically eligible for admission and is admitted [per 22 C.F.R. §62]. Read the Additional Standards For International Applicants policy for more details.

Application Materials

Transcripts, letters of recommendation.

Required Essays and Statements

Other Required Materials

We require a scanned copy of your transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Scanned copies must be clearly legible and sized to print on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper. Transcripts that do not show degrees awarded must also be accompanied by a scanned copy of the diploma or degree certificate. If your academic transcripts were issued in a language other than English, both the original documents and certified English translations are required.

Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies. Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.

Upon admission to the University of Denver, official transcripts will be required from each institution attended.

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required.  Letters should be submitted by recommenders through the online application.

Essays and Statements

Personal statement instructions.

The Higher Education Department understands equity, diversity, and social justice as essential and fundamental concerns in the study, practice, and leadership of post-secondary education.  Please provide a personal statement of academic and professional goals (1-2 pages, double-spaced).  Include in your statement: (1) Research interests and professional objectives in the study of higher education. (2) Any personal, educational, and employment experiences that have shaped your research and professional interests in the study of higher education. (3) Expectations for how the PhD in Higher Education at the University of Denver specifically will support your research interests and professional objectives.  Note: if there is a specific faculty member with whom you would like to work, based on your research interests, please mention and discuss in this statement.

Diversity Statement Instructions

Please provide a statement of equity, diversity, and social justice (1-2 pages, double-spaced). Include in your statement: (1) Your thoughts on the roles and opportunities for equity, diversity, and social justice in postsecondary institutions and/or higher education policy. (2) Any personal, academic, and/or professional experiences that have shaped your understanding and commitment to equity, diversity, and social justice in higher education.

Résumé Instructions

The résumé (or C.V.) should include work experience, research, and/or volunteer work.

Additional requirements for this program:

Virtual interview may be required.

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Financial Aid Information

Start your application.

Your submitted materials will be reviewed once all materials and application fees have been received.

Our program can only consider your application for admission if our Office of Graduate Education has received all your online materials and supplemental materials by our application deadline.

Application Fee: $65.00 Application Fee

International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50.00 Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor's or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States.

Applicants should complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.