Students seeking admission to graduate status at the University must hold a bachelor's degree, or the equivalent, from an institution of acceptable standing. The program of preparation should be substantially equivalent both in the distribution of academic subject matter and in scholarship achievement to the requirements for a comparable degree at the University of California. Applications for admission are evaluated in terms of scholastic qualifications and formal preparation for the graduate field of study. Requests for information and applications must be directed to the individual programs.

All applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of $70 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, or $90 for international students. If you are a US citizen or permanent resident who demonstrates financial need, you may be eligible for a waiver of the application fee. To be eligible for consideration, you must complete the Request for Fee Waiver Application.

Original and official transcripts of record must be forwarded by the Registrar of each collegiate institution previously attended directly to the graduate program office to which you are applying. Transcripts will not be accepted in any other manner. The application data, transcripts, and other official credentials become the property of the Graduate Division and may not be withdrawn or used for any other purpose.

Most Graduate Programs require applicants to take or have taken the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE). For programs that require the GRE, it must be administered within five years of the application to the Graduate Program. Check with the individual Graduate Program to determine their requirements for the GRE for their applicants. Some programs may also require a field-specific (subject test) GRE examination.

In addition, international applicants whose language of instruction was not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). For specific requirements, see the section on our website under Admission Requirements and Application Process – International Applicants.