The master's degree represents a well-balanced and unified program of study in an academic or professional discipline that enables the student to master the subject and develop faculties for critical thinking and independent research. Students may earn a master’s degree following one of two plans.
Three quarters of academic residence are required for the master's degree. In addition, at least one quarter must elapse between advancement to candidacy and conferral of the degree.
Thirty academic units and a thesis are required. A minimum of 12 units must be taken in 200 series courses in the major subject. Of these 12, only eight units of course work numbered 250 may be used toward the master's degree. The thesis constitutes the results of an original investigation of a problem. It should be carried out in the same systematic and scholarly way as investigations of greater magnitude, such as a doctoral dissertation. Students must either be registered or on filing fee for the quarter in which they submit their thesis.
Thirty-six academic units and a comprehensive examination are required. A minimum of 18 units must be taken in 200 series courses in the major subject. Of these 18, no more than 12 units numbered 250 may be applied toward the degree. The comprehensive examination should demonstrate the student's mastery of the major field and ability to think critically. The nature and matter of the examination are determined by the faculty of the degree program. Students must either be registered or on filing fee for the quarter in which they submit their comprehensive examination. A student who fails the comprehensive examination is allowed to take a second examination after a suitable period of additional preparation. Students cannot submit more than one exam per quarter. A student who fails the comprehensive exam a second time is no longer eligible to receive the master's degree.
Students must apply formally for advancement to candidacy. The application for candidacy is available in MU200W and on-line. The form indicates the plan of study for the degree and whether the student will write a thesis or take the comprehensive examination. In the case of a thesis, the committee to supervise the research and writing of the thesis must also be indicated. Students must be registered for the quarter in which they advance to candidacy. To be effective for a particular quarter, applications for advancement to candidacy must be received by the first day of that quarter. Students with provisional I grades will not be allowed to advance to candidacy. All provisional grades must be removed before an application to advance to candidacy will be approved. After the application for candidacy is reviewed and approved by the graduate advisor, the student must file the application with the Graduate Division. The form is checked to make sure that the plan for the degree will enable the student to meet all University requirements for the master's degree. A student may not be advanced to candidacy and apply for filing fee status during the same quarter. For example a student who plans to go on filing fee status in order to take the comprehensive examination during the Spring quarter must file an application for candidacy by the first day of the Winter quarter in order to meet the post-candidacy registration requirement. Candidacy for the master's degree is lapsed if a student has not completed the requirements for the degree within five quarters (exclusive of summer) after advancement to candidacy. Leaves of absence count against this time. Students must either be registered or on filing fee for the quarter in which they graduate.
Holders of a bachelor's degree who are pursuing the M.D. degree in the UCSF School of Medicine may earn a master's degree under a plan known as the Medical Student’s Option. The master's degree must be in one of the basic biological sciences in the School of Medicine. The student must be admitted to the program of his/her choice, and obtain permission of the Associate Dean of the School of Medicine to enroll as a concurrent student. Candidates must register concurrently as a graduate student for one of the first two years of the medical school curriculum. Besides the work for the M.D. degree, 15 to 18 units of graduate courses (depending on whether Plan I or Plan II is selected) must be completed in addition to the thesis or comprehensive examination.