Admissions

Preparing for Graduate Study

Meet a UCSB Recruiter

If you would like to contact a Graduate Peer Advisor please call (805) 893-8994 or email peers@graddiv.ucsb.edu.

Graduate Division staff attend graduate fairs, forums, and conferences at institutions throughout California and at selected regional locations across the country. We would enjoy meeting you at upcoming events and look forward to sharing information about UCSB and the graduate opportunities available on our campus. Participation in graduate fairs is subject to change.

Below is a list of recruitment fairs and conferences that the Graduate Division will attend during Fall 2009.

For more information about applying to UC Santa Barbara for graduate school, please visit our Prospective Student page.

Pursuing a Graduate Degree

American undergraduate education is typically a time for students to explore a wide range of disciplines. Through general education courses, students can discover which areas interest them most. While students select a major, they 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. As you begin thinking about graduate programs, 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 doctoral 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 through original contributions to the field. Many doctoral candidates are also given the opportunity to teach during their course of study, either directly or as teaching assistants, in order to prepare those who seek a career primarily focused on teaching.

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, which is the culmination of the student's educational experience.

Learning More about Graduate School

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

UC LEADS is a two-year program for UC undergraduates 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 leadership positions in industry, government, public service and academia following the doctoral degree, completed preferably at the University of California.

UCSB Graduate & Professional School Day

The annual UCSB Graduate & Professional School Day hosts universities from across the nation to recruit top UCSB undergradutes. This event will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2009. Career Services coordinates and sponsors the day. University recruiters interested in attending should contact Career Services directly for more information, (805) 893-4412.

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's contact information can be found at the Graduate Programs at UCSB web site.

Planning a Campus Visit

While not an absolute necessity in this era of comprehensive online information, a visit to the UCSB campus is recommended for 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 2-7 years? You can visit the academic department and meet with faculty, graduate students, and staff. Anecdotal information, particularly from graduate colleagues, can be invaluable. Get first-hand information regarding logistics such as housing, health services, transportation, and other campus and city resources.

For those applicants who plan a campus visit, we recommend that you contact the academic department in advance so that the faculty and staff can be made aware of your visit. 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 advising, and meetings with faculty and current graduate students.
• You are in town for business or personal reasons, and decide to visit the campus on an informal basis. Please call the department prior to your visit in order to maximize the chance that your arrival will fit into the schedules of faculty, graduate students, and staff.

For information on UCSB campus events, tours, maps and directions, parking, and student orientations, please see Visitor Information, (805) 893-2487.

Additional Resources and Links

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