Graduate Studies
2011-12 General Catalog
Degrees and Programs | Student Life | Application and Admission | Fees and Expenses | Financial Support
UC Santa Cruz offers graduate study in more than 30 academic fields. About 1,500 graduate students are enrolled at the certificate, master’s, and doctoral levels. The small size of the UCSC graduate programs encourages close working relations between students and faculty in an informal atmosphere conducive to rapid learning and professional growth. Many graduate programs have interdisciplinary components, and students are encouraged to explore the conceptual connections between related fields as they acquire mastery in their areas of specialization.
Research facilities at UCSC are excellent, and there are extensive opportunities for graduate students to engage in significant independent study and research (see Resources for Learning and Research, pages 63–85). Graduate students are also encouraged to obtain teaching experience, primarily as supervised teaching assistants. They are highly valued members of the UCSC community, contributing substantially to the research and teaching conducted on the campus.
Degrees and Programs
The University of California, Santa Cruz, offers graduate programs leading to advanced degrees or certificates in the following areas:
Department |
Degree or certificate |
|
Anthropology |
Ph.D. |
|
Astronomy and astrophysics |
Ph.D. |
|
Bioinformatics |
M.S./Ph.D. |
|
Biology |
ecology and evolutionary |
M.A./Ph.D. |
molecular, cell, and developmental |
M.A./Ph.D. |
|
Chemistry and biochemistry |
M.S./Ph.D. |
|
Computer engineering |
M.S./Ph.D. |
|
Computer science |
M.S./Ph.D. |
|
Digital arts/new media |
M.F.A. |
|
Earth and planetary sciences |
M.S./Ph.D. |
|
Economics |
applied |
M.S. |
international |
Ph.D. |
|
Education |
teaching |
M.A. |
research |
Ph.D. |
|
collaborative leadership |
Ed.D. |
|
Environmental studies |
Ph.D. |
|
Film and digital media |
Ph.D. |
|
Electrical engineering |
M.S./Ph.D. |
|
History |
M.A./Ph.D. |
|
History of consciousness |
Ph.D. |
|
Linguistics |
M.A./Ph.D. |
|
Literature |
M.A./Ph.D. |
|
Mathematics |
M.A./Ph.D. |
|
Microbiology and environmental toxicology. |
M.S./Ph.D. |
|
Music |
M.A./D.M.A./Ph.D. |
|
Ocean sciences |
M.S./Ph.D. |
|
Philosophy |
M.A./Ph.D. |
|
Physics |
M.S./Ph.D. |
|
Politics |
Ph.D. |
|
Psychology (with emphasis in social, developmental, or cognitive) |
Ph.D. |
|
Science communication (writing) |
Certificate |
|
Social documentation |
M.A. |
|
Sociology |
Ph.D. |
|
Statistics and applied mathematics |
M.S./Ph.D. |
|
Technology and information management |
M.S./Ph.D. |
|
Theater arts |
Certificate |
|
Visual studies |
Ph.D. |
Program Descriptions
Descriptions of individual programs appear under the specific disciplines in the programs and courses section, which begins on page 119. Application materials for all programs are available online.
All of our graduate programs have information on the web. Inquiries about part-time study should be directed to the individual departments. If there are any problems with the online application process, please e-mail gradadm@ucsc.edu.
Administration
At UCSC, the individual graduate programs are directed by departments. Overall policy is determined by the Graduate Council, and coordination and record keeping for matters common to all graduate students—such as admission applications, fellowships, and advancement to candidacy—are the responsibility of the Division of Graduate Studies. The dean of graduate studies is the chief administrative officer. The Graduate Student Handbook—containing graduate policies and other information—can be found online at Graduate Student Handbook.
Catalog Rights
Students matriculating in a given graduate program will select the UCSC General Catalog they will follow to meet their requirements to be either the one published the year they enter the program, or any subsequent catalog published prior to the year they are awarded the degree sought. Students who seek readmission after a break in attendance of greater than two years (six regular quarters) must adhere to the graduation requirements in effect at the time of readmission or to those subsequently established for all portions of the degree requirements not already fulfilled. The readmitting program will determine which degree requirements remain to be fulfilled, and will communicate this information in the letter offering readmission. This determination constitutes a formal requirement for readmission to the program, and the student’s acceptance of readmission implies acceptance of the program’s written stipulation of remaining degree requirements. Should any student choose to follow catalog requirements for a year in which the catalog is not printed in hard copy, the requirements will include any online catalog update for that year. A student must follow the chosen catalog in its entirety, including both the individual degree program and general university requirements. General university requirements may be found in the Graduate Student Handbook.
Evaluation of Performance
Graduate students are graded Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory (S/U) or, at student option, A, B, C, D, F. The grade A, B, or S is awarded for satisfactory work. A graduate student receiving a grade of C, D, or U will not be able to use the credit for that course to satisfy any course requirement for a graduate degree. Courses in which a graduate student receives a grade of C, D, F, or U may be repeated. Credits will be counted once, and the most recently earned grade will determine whether a degree requirement has been met. Repeating a course more than once requires the prior written approval of the dean of graduate studies.
Graduate student performance in all courses taken for credit at UC Santa Cruz is also evaluated according to the Narrative Evaluation System. A narrative evaluation usually runs from one to four paragraphs in length and describes (1) the nature and requirements of the course, (2) the student’s strengths and weaknesses in the various aspects of the course (e.g., discussion, laboratory work, term papers, and examinations), and (3) the student’s general understanding of the course content. Evaluations may be used by academic advisers and become part of the student’s official academic record.
Please also refer to the statement on Academic Integrity, page 39; Appendix F, Graduate Student–Faculty Adviser Relationship Guide-lines, page 506; and Appendix O, Official University Policy on Academic Integrity for Graduate Students, published in the Student Policies and Regulations Handbook.
Graduate Opportunity Program
Applicants assisted by the Graduate Opportu-nity Program must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. During the application process, the Graduate Opportunity Program can help students by requesting an application fee waiver for cases of hardship, by providing insight into the application process, and by distributing information about the various graduate academic and fellowship programs. The primary goals of the program are to increase the number of applicants through extensive outreach and to increase the number of enrolled students from diverse backgrounds through effective recruitment. Applicants who feel that their acceptance into the academic community at UC Santa Cruz will contribute to the diversity of the institution should call (831) 459-4108 early in the application process.
Diversity-Enhancement Programs
The Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship is a merit-based diversity-enhancement program that provides financial support for students from diverse backgrounds to pursue and successfully complete a graduate degree. This fellowship is awarded to entering doctoral students who have overcome significant obstacles to achieve a baccalaureate-level degree, and whose economic, educational, or social background contributes to intellectual diversity of the graduate student population. Applicants should refer to the information under Financial Support in the application to gain
a better understanding of this fellowship. Fellowship recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship and the Dissertation-Year Fellowship are part of the University of California’s Academic Career Development Program. The Dissertation-Year Fellowship is available to continuing students. Enrolled students are assisted through formal and informal group orientations, individual advice about academic matters, financial aid, postdoctoral opportunities, and the provision of information about career planning, health care, and housing.
If you have questions, call the Division of Graduate Studies, (831) 459-4108.
Intercampus Exchange Program
A graduate student in good standing at Santa Cruz who wishes to take advantage of educational opportunities available only at another campus of the university may become an intercampus exchange graduate student for a quarter or more. This program also permits students to take courses on more than one campus of the university during the same quarter.
To participate in the program, a student must have the approval of his or her faculty adviser, the dean of the Division of Graduate Studies
at UC Santa Cruz, and the graduate dean on the campus to be visited. Application forms may
be obtained from the Division of Graduate Studies and should be submitted three weeks before the quarter in which the exchange begins.
Student Life
The campus offers a variety of programs to enhance the quality of student life, all available to graduate students. These include child care, sports and recreation, health services, cultural events, transportation services, and the UCSC Women’s Center. See pages 108–117 for information on these services and a description of the local community. See page 44 for services available to students with disabilities.
College Affiliation
Graduate students at Santa Cruz have the opportunity to affiliate with one of the 10
colleges on campus (college descriptions begin on page 89). Participation in the activities of a college may include taking an occasional meal there, living at the college, or participating in the college’s educational and preceptorial programs or in its extracurricular activities.
Graduate Student Association
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is an organization of all graduate students at UCSC. It seeks to advance the general welfare of the graduate student body and is responsible for promoting extracurricular activities on campus.
Graduate students elect a GSA steering committee, which coordinates activities and their funding. In past years, the steering committee has sponsored student social gatherings, musical events, poetry readings, lectures by visiting scholars, and other activities of special interest to graduate students. A portion of the college student government fee, paid by all students, is available to the association for this purpose. The steering committee also recommends graduate students for appointment to university committees.
Housing
As at all other UC campuses, finding housing is a challenge. Students who wish to reside on campus should submit their application as soon as possible, to secure housing in a timely manner. Likewise, students who wish to live off campus will find this task challenging. Often, single students share housing as a means of lowering expenses. However, married students or students with dependent children do not always have the option of sharing housing with other students.
Twenty apartments for single graduate students are located on the west side of campus between Kresge College and the Baskin Engineering Building. Metro and campus bus stops are nearby. On-site parking is available.
The apartments were designed with privacy, energy conservation, and aesthetics in mind. The wood-frame units have cedar exteriors and are bordered by redwood forest on two sides.
Four students share each apartment, which has a living and dining room, a kitchen, two bathrooms, four single bedrooms, an outdoor deck, and abundant closet and cabinet space. The units contain solid oak and maple furniture, although residents must supply their own linens, cooking utensils, and household supplies. Common facilities include a laundry room and lounges with computer terminals and a large-screen television.
The apartment rental rate for a single room is $971 per month for the 10-month 2011–12 academic year. Students may stay for the summer at additional cost. First-year graduate students are usually given priority.
Graduate students may also apply to the individual colleges for a limited number of resident preceptorships. These positions offer an on-campus apartment as a stipend and the opportunity to participate in a college community.
Married students and students with dependent children may live in Family Student Housing, a complex of two-bedroom unfurnished apartments located on the west side of campus. These apartments are in great demand, and students often wait up to a year for a vacancy. Interested students should apply as soon as possible.
Another on-campus option is UCSC’s 42-space camper park, available to students who own appropriate recreational vehicles.
To assist students in locating living accommodations in the surrounding communities, the Community Rentals Office maintains a list of available rentals. Students intending to live off campus should begin their search at least four weeks before classes begin.
See pages 108–110 for more detailed information about on- and off-campus housing.
Application and Admission
Application Deadlines
Students may apply for only one UCSC graduate program at a time. The list below shows the date set by each program as the final deadline for submission of all documents. Applications are limited to programs of study beginning in fall quarter (except the M.A. program in education). Please visit the Graduate Division web site for the most current information on applying to UCSC graduate programs and for application deadlines for 2011–12.
Department |
Date |
|
Anthropology |
December 15, 2011 |
|
Astronomy and astrophysics |
January 5, 2012 |
|
Bioinformatics |
December 1, 2011 |
|
Biology |
ecology and evolutionary |
December 15, 2011 |
molecular, cell, and developmental |
December 1, 2011 |
|
Chemistry and biochemistry |
December 15, 2011 |
|
Computer engineering |
January 3, 2011 |
|
Computer science |
January 3, 2011 |
|
Digital arts/new media |
January 3, 2011 |
|
Earth and planetary sciences |
January 5, 2011 |
|
Economics |
Economics |
January 15, 2011 |
applied |
Not accepting apps |
|
international |
Not accepting apps |
|
Education |
teaching (M.A.) |
January 15, 2012 |
research (Ph.D.) |
December 1, 2011 |
|
collaborative leadership (Ed.D.) |
Not accepting apps |
|
Electrical engineering |
January 3, 2012 |
|
Environmental studies |
December 15, 2011 |
|
Film and digital media |
December 15, 2011 |
|
History |
December 15, 2011 |
|
History of consciousness |
December 10, 2011 |
|
Linguistics |
December 15, 2011 |
|
Literature |
December 1, 2011 |
|
Mathematics |
January 15, 2012 |
|
Microbiology and environmental toxicology |
December 2, 2011 |
|
Music |
January 5, 2012 |
|
Ocean sciences |
January 15, 2012 |
|
Philosophy |
January 1, 2012 |
|
Physics |
January 15, 2012 |
|
Politics |
January 4, 2011 |
|
Program in Biomedial Sciences and Engineering |
December 1, 2011 |
|
Psychology |
December 15, 2011 |
|
Science communication (science writing) |
April 1, 2012 |
|
Social documentation |
January 13, 2012 |
|
Sociology |
December 15, 2011 |
|
Statistics and applied mathematics |
January 3, 2012 |
|
Technology and information management |
January 3, 2012 |
|
Theater arts |
March 1, 2012 |
|
Visual studies |
December 15, 2012 |
The dates listed here are the official deadlines, but students are strongly advised to submit applications in October or November. If an application deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, materials should arrive before the deadline.
To be considered for fellowship support for fall quarter, the admission application and all supporting materials must arrive at the Division of Graduate Studies by the program’s deadline or by February 1, 2012, whichever is earlier.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted with graduate status at UCSC, a student must have completed a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited undergraduate institution of acceptable standing and demonstrate ability to pursue a program of study leading toward an advanced degree. Preparation must provide an adequate foundation for advanced study, as determined by the department for the program in which the student intends to enroll. If the bachelor’s degree is not in the same discipline as the graduate program, the student must have sufficient preparation in the intended area of study to undertake graduate-level work.
To apply for admission, the items described below must be submitted before the deadline date to the Division of Graduate Studies. UC Santa Cruz requires that applicants complete an online application to be considered for admission to a graduate program. The Graduate Studies Division will provide access to a printed version for those who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The application and the accompanying materials should be complete and accurate.
-
Admission application form. Application materials for all programs are available online at Graduate Division web site. The completed application is paid for online with either a credit card or e-check. This application fee is not refundable. Application fee waivers are available for cases of hardship. International applicants are not eligible for fee waivers.
Applicants to the programs in anthropology, computer engineering, computer science, and electrical engineering also need to conform to the admission guidelines posted on the web pages for these departments. These pages can be accessed from the graduate studies home page: graddiv.ucsc.edu.
-
Statement of purpose. This should be a concise, well-written account of the applicant’s background and reasons for pursuing graduate study in the field chosen. Selection committees place particular importance on the statement of purpose. It exhibits the applicant’s ability to present ideas in clear, coherent language. The statement of purpose should indicate all of the following:
-
How knowledgeable the applicant is in the desired field of study
-
How undergraduate studies and other experiences (work, community involvement, and so forth) serve as a foundation for graduate study
-
How and why the applicant intends to build on this foundation of knowledge and apply the training to social or theoretical problems
-
-
Official transcripts. Official transcripts of all previous course work since high school, including certification of degrees received or documentation of status upon leaving each institution, should be obtained. UC Santa Cruz requires only one transcript from each institution. Official evidence that the applicant has received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education must be presented. All of the official transcripts and documentation should be requested well in advance of the program deadline to be sent to Graduate Application Processing. Only official transcripts bearing the signature of the registrar and the seal of the issuing institution will be accepted. If work is in progress at the time of application, a final transcript of such work must be submitted before the student can be officially enrolled at UC Santa Cruz. If the bachelor’s degree is in a field other than that in which the student intends to apply, evidence of course work sufficient to prepare for graduate study in the intended field must be shown.
-
Letters of recommendation. Three letters of recommendation should be included in the online application packet, or the applicant should have them forwarded to Graduate Application Processing. These letters should be prepared by professors or others who are in a position to analyze the applicant’s abilities and academic promise in the chosen field of graduate study.
-
Graduate Record Examination scores.Individual departmental requirements for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) follow:
Anthropology: GRE General Test
-
Astronomy and astrophysics: GRE General Test; GRE Subject Test in Physics or Mathematics strongly recommended
Bioinformatics: GRE General Test; Computer Science Test or Subject Test in major strongly recommended
Biology:
ecology and evolutionary: GRE General Test
molecular, cell, and developmental: GRE General Test; Biology Test or Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Test recommendedChemistry and biochemistry: GRE General Test; GRE Subject Test in any of the follow ing strongly recommended: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology;
Chemistry; Computer Science; PhysicsComputer engineering: GRE General Test; GRE Engineering Test or Subject Test in major strongly recommended
Computer science: GRE General Test; GRE Computer Science Test or Subject Test in major strongly recommended
Digital arts/new media: No GRE required
Earth sciences: GRE General Test
Economics
applied: GRE General Test
international: GRE General TestEducation:
teaching (M.A.): No GRE required
research (Ph.D.): GRE General TestElectrical engineering: GRE General Test; GRE Subject Test in major strongly recommended
Environmental studies: GRE General Test; GRE Subject Test in disciplinary field of
student’s choice strongly recommendedFilm and digital media: GRE General Test History: GRE General Test
History of consciousness: GRE General Test
Linguistics: GRE General Test
Literature: GRE General Test
Mathematics: GRE General Test and GRE Mathematics Test
Microbiology and environmental toxicology: GRE General Test; GRE Subject Test in major strongly recommended
Music: GRE General Test and UCSC’s Music Graduate Entrance Examination for M.A., D.M.A., and Ph.D. applicants with a bachelor’s degree; GRE General Test for Ph.D. applicants with a master’s degree
Ocean sciences: GRE General Test and GRE Subject Test in major
Philosophy: GRE General Test
Physics: GRE General Test and GRE Physics Test
Politics: GRE General Test
Psychology: GRE General Test
Science communication (writing): GRE General Test and GRE Subject Test in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Geology; Mathematics; or Physics
Social documentation: No GRE required
Sociology: GRE General Test
Statistics and applied mathematics: See Computer Science for details
Theater arts: No GRE required
Visual studies: GRE General Test
If the applicant is applying for admission to a program that requires the GRE, the scores must be received by UC Santa Cruz Graduate Application Processing before the application deadline. It is strongly recommended that all applicants complete testing by November, since December test scores will not reach the division prior to application deadlines.
The Educational Testing Service should be asked to forward the test scores directly to the division. UC Santa Cruz’s school code is 4860. Test results are electronically submitted to UC Santa Cruz Division of Graduate Studies four to six weeks after the exam has been taken.
-
Additional required material. Many of the graduate programs have special application requirements, such as writing samples, portfolios, auditions, or personal interviews.
-
Education requires a supplemental application.
-
Environmental studies requires that a substantial writing project (undergraduate or master’s level) be submitted with the application materials. Also, as part of the application process, applicants are required to contact faculty regarding sponsorship.
-
History of consciousness requires a writing sample of not more than 10 pages.
-
Literature requires a writing sample of 10 to 20 pages.
-
Ocean sciences requires that applicants contact faculty directly about sponsorship as part of the application process.
-
Music
-
M.A.: writing or composition sample (e.g., term paper or senior thesis, scores, or other projects) and a CD, DVD, or audio- or videocassette of one or more recent performances as instrumentalist, vocalist, conductor, or performances of original compositions.
-
D.M.A.: writing or composition sample (e.g., term paper or senior thesis, scores, or other projects) and three composition scores with recordings (if available) on CD, DVD, or VHS. For works involving improvisation, digital audio, or other approaches, one of the three compositions may be submitted in the form of a recording with brief notes on the media and/or performance conditions. Applicants interested in the computer-assisted composition track should include an example of a computer program they have written (a source code for the program plus documentation describing its use) or other evidence of technical competence with computers.
-
Ph.D.: applicants with a bachelor’s degree:
writing sample (e.g., term paper, senior thesis, or other class paper) and optional materials demonstrating musical skills (e.g., compositions, a performance or lecture-recital on CD, DVD, or VHS, etc.); applicants with a master’s degree: writing sample of substantial length (e.g., an excerpt from a master’s thesis or a set of class research papers) and optional materials demonstrating musical skills (e.g., compositions, a performance or lecture-recital on CD, DVD, or VHS, etc
-
-
Philosophy requires a 10- to 15-page writing sample
-
Politics requests that the writing sample (ideally not to exceed 20 pages) be a term paper, thesis, article, conference paper, or problem solution; it need not be in politics
-
Social documentation requires an analytical writing sample (e.g., research paper, professional report, or substantial essay). Sample documentary production work is recommended but not required (e.g., a video or audio recording, photographic essay, web page). Preferred format for submission of production work is web, DVD, or CD-ROM (provide URLs to publications and documentary productions where possible).
-
Sociology requests a writing sample, preferably in sociology or a related field
-
Theater arts requires a portfolio of projects along with the application. The brochure or web site for the program to which the student is applying should be consulted and all of the requirements specified should be fulfilled.
-
Duplication of Higher Degrees
It is the policy of the Santa Cruz campus to prohibit the pursuit of duplicate advanced degrees. However, applicants may petition the graduate dean for an exception to this policy if the degree sought is in a field of study distinctly different from the field in which the original advanced degree was attained.
In order for a student who already holds the doctorate to be admitted or readmitted to work toward a second Ph.D.—or toward an academic master’s degree—all of the following conditions must be met:
-
The applicant must petition the graduate dean in writing prior to the application deadline for the program in question.
-
The department sponsoring the program to which admission is sought must support the applicant’s petition.
-
The department must present the graduate dean with a clear and complete outline of the program required for the degree sought, and must explain the intellectual separateness of the proposed program from that completed by the applicant in attaining the earlier degree.
The graduate dean will review all materials submitted and decide whether or not to admit the applicant, consulting with the Graduate Council when appropriate.
Admission to a professional master’s program after a Ph.D.—or to an academic master’s program after a professional doctorate—is not subject to these restrictions.
Transfer of Credit
UC Santa Cruz does not automatically grant credit for graduate-level work undertaken at other universities. Each department determines credit transferability on an individual basis.
International Applicants
Applicants from other countries must meet standard admission requirements and provide satisfactory evidence of financial support before they may obtain the necessary visa documents. Because it normally takes much longer to process international applications, such students are urged to apply as early as possible. A Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) will not be issued by the UC Santa Cruz Office of International Education until all requirements are satisfied and the student has been formally admitted. Please note that international students are eligible for neither need-based financial aid nor application fee waivers.
Applicants from countries where English is not the primary language must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL or 220 on the computer-based test is required. Chemistry and biochemistry, computer engineering, computer science, and electrical engineering require 570 on the paper-based test or 230 on the computer-based test.
All official academic records must be issued in the original language and be accompanied by English translations prepared by the issuing institution. If translations are not available from the institution itself, translations may be prepared by government or official translators. In order for translations to be acceptable, they must bear the stamp or seal of the issuing institution or governmental agency and the original signature of the translator. They must be complete and exact word-for-word translations of the original documents, not interpretations. Grades must not be converted to the American scale. Specially prepared English versions are not acceptable in place of documents issued in the original language. Records submitted to the Division of Graduate Studies may not be borrowed, returned, or sent elsewhere.
Application Processing
The Division of Graduate Studies receives most application materials and sets up a file for each applicant. Once the application is submitted online, it will be available to the appropriate department for review and recommendation. Applicants are admitted by the graduate dean following recommendations by the departments. Applicants will be notified by e-mail whether or not they have been admitted for graduate study at UCSC after all reviews are complete. Under no circumstances will UCSC give out this information over the phone, in person, or by proxy. E-mail notifications are sent throughout the month of March. By a general agreement to which UC Santa Cruz and most graduate schools in the U.S. are signatories, applicants admitted to graduate schools have until April 15 to reply with their acceptance of fellowship offers. Any information about the completeness of the file can be found at apply.graddiv.ucsc.edu. Specific questions about the evaluation of the application should be directed to the graduate representative of the department.
Fees and Expenses
Fees and expenses for graduate students are shown below. Tuition, fees, and other charges are subject to change without notice by the Regents of the University of California. For
current fee information, check the Office of the Registrar.
One |
F-W-S |
||
Student Services Fee (formerly University Registration Fee) |
$324.00 |
$9720.00 |
|
Tuition (formerly Educational Fee) (b) |
3,740.00 |
11,220.00 |
|
Santa Cruz campus fees |
362.36 |
1,081.88 |
|
Health Insurance (waivable) |
889.00 |
2,667.00 |
|
Total for California Residents |
$5,315.36 |
$15,946.08 |
|
Nonresident Tuition(a) |
5,034.00 |
15,102.00 |
|
Total for Nonresidents of California |
$ 10,349.36 |
$31,048.08 |
|
a) A limited number of Nonresident Tuition Fellowships are available. Please refer to the Financial Support section. |
For information on fee refunds, see Finances.
Minimum annual expenses, including registration fees, for a single graduate student living on campus are estimated to be $35,706 per academic year. Students should not plan to undertake graduate study without assured funding, since outside employment in the Santa Cruz community can be difficult to obtain. An estimated sample student budget from the 2010–11 academic year is provided below. Non–California residents should add $15,102 in nonresident tuition and fees to the total. Living expenses and fees are likely to increase for 2011–12.
Graduate Student Budget, 2010-11 |
|
---|---|
Fees |
$14,247.00 |
Books and supplies |
$1,479.00 |
Room and board (on or off campus)(a) |
$15,579.00 |
Transportation(b) |
$1,809.00 |
Personal |
$2,592.00 |
Total |
$35,706.00 |
a) Estimated room and board for graduate students living with family is $4,449. |
|
b) Expenses of owning a car and parking on campus are not included here. For parking fees, see the TAPS web site. |
Required Fees
Required fees are due and payable before the start of each quarter. At the beginning of each quarter, sufficient funds will be needed to cover housing charges and book costs. For many financial aid recipients, however, fees and on-campus housing charges are paid automatically from approved student aid funds. Financial aid recipients should note that fellowship, grant, and loan checks or bank deposits in excess of university charges are not available until after registration each quarter.
The Student Services Fee supports student services that provide a supportive and enriching learning environment and that are complementary to, but not part of, the instructional program. Programs include, but are not limited to, services related to the physical and psychological health and well-being of students, social and cultural activities and programs, services related to campus life, and educational and career support.
The Educational Fee helps support student financial aid and related programs; admissions; registration; administration; libraries; operation and maintenance of plant; the university’s operating budget; and all costs related to instruction, including faculty salaries.
Santa Cruz campus fees help support a wide range of student services, including extracurricular programs, campus child care, community and public service projects, and free-fare use of the local transit systems.
In addition, all students, including foreign students, are assessed a mandatory fee for health insurance. The Cowell Student Health Center provides the primary care services for the plan while a contracted insurance company provides major medical and hospitalization insurance. There is an annual deductible, with most expenses covered at 75 or 95 percent of the customary and usual charge, depending on whether the preferred provider network is used. Coverage includes hospital stays, surgical services, physician visits, emergency treatment, outpatient care, and pregnancy. Dependent coverage is also available. For information, call the Student Health Center, (831) 459-2389.
Waivers from the mandatory insurance fee are available for students who can show that their outside plan provides coverage equal to or better than the student health insurance plan. Deadlines for applying for a waiver are listed in the Schedule of Classes on the web and the Graduate Student Handbook.
Nonresident Tuition
A resident of a state other than California or of another country must pay nonresident tuition. General criteria for residency are in Appendix A.
Non–U.S. citizens note: Regardless of how long you live in California, only U.S. citizens and holders of immigrant visas may become qualified for resident classification.
Late Fees
Late fees may be assessed if a student fails to make university payments or enroll by the specified deadlines. Late fees are assessed on a graduated basis for each month there is an unpaid balance on your university account, and at $50 each for a late registration payment and/or late enrollment and $25 for a late housing payment. Deadlines are published online in the Graduate Student Handbook and the Schedule of Classes, and they appear on the Statement of Account.
Deferred Payment Plan
See the information under undergraduate expenses.
Financial Support
The University of California, Santa Cruz, makes a strong effort to provide financial support to all graduate students who make normal progress in their program of studies. Certain kinds of support are awarded on the basis of academic merit, and others are granted on the basis of need. Students are encouraged to apply for both kinds of assistance by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form must be submitted after January 1 prior to the academic year for which you are requesting aid. The FAFSA may be filled out online and filed electronically at FAFSA. To receive need-based support for the fall quarter, the FAFSA should be submitted no later than three weeks prior to the end of spring quarter. Applications for student loans for each academic year will be accepted until April of that academic year. More detailed information about the application process and loans appears on pages 21–22. Students may also contact the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, 205 Hahn Student Services Building, (831) 459-2963. Web: Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.
Fellowships, Assistantships, Grants
Cal Grant A and B Programs. Students who received one of these awards as undergraduates may request a one-year extension from the California Student Aid Commission to attend a teacher credential program. The Cal Grant A program and Cal Grant B program are both expected to pay a maximum of $12,192 per year for study at the University of California in 2011-12. Renewal of these awards requires the student to submit the FAFSA by March 2.
Federal TEACH Grant/Loan Program. The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. The program at UCSC is for M.A. Education students. In exchange for receiving this grant, you must sign an Agreement to Serve and complete online counseling. This grant converts to a loan with retroactive interest if the Service Agreement is not fulfilled. More information and a Fact Sheet can be found at https://teach-ats.ed.gov/ats/index.action.
Teaching Assistantships. For the 2010–11 academic year, half-time teaching assistantships provided a salary of $5,463 per quarter.
Graduate Student Researcherships. For the 2010–11 academic year, half-time researcherships provided a salary ranging from $1,351 to $2,102 per month, depending on the student’s academic level and department.
The application for fellowships, assistantships, and researcherships is Part C of the admission application, which may be obtained from the Division of Graduate Studies. It should be filed by the program’s deadline or by the February 1 preceding admission, whichever is earlier.
The division and the UCSC Career Center (see page 41) can provide information about external graduate fellowships and grants.
Student Loans
Graduate students may apply for student loans through the Financial Aid Office. Students who apply using the FAFSA are eligible for loans funded by the federal government. Students who demonstrate financial need qualify for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized Student Loan, and students who do not demonstrate need or who want an additional loan qualify for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan. Subsidized loans are interest-free while the student is enrolled; interest accrues on unsubsidized loans during enrollment. Graduate students may also be eligible to borrow through the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan program. See page 22 for additional information.
Loan Forgiveness Programs
The federal government will forgive all or part of a student loan under certain circumstances. Examples of these include (1) performing volunteer work or military service and (2) practicing medicine in certain communities. For a summary of such exemptions, visit Financial Aid Forgiveness.
The Assumption Program of Loans for Education (APLE) is offered by the California Student Aid Commission. This program serves students who plan to become public schoolteachers.
Students must be nominated by the UCSC Education Department. Under the program, the commission may assume up to $11,000 in educational loan balances in return for service as a public schoolteacher in California, in either a designated subject-shortage area or at a school serving large populations of students from low-income families. In addition, participants who teach mathematics, science, or special education in the lowest-performing schools may have a total of $19,000 in debt assumed. To receive full benefits, you must provide four consecutive years of teaching at a California public school. Additional eligibility criteria include California residence, U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizenship, academic ability, and financial need. Contact the Education Department a (831) 459-3249 for more information. More information is also available from the California Student Aid Commission.
Revised: 8/13/12