UCLA Graduate Division

UCLA Graduate Division
Name	UCLA Graduate Division
Established	1919
Dean	Robin L. Garrell
Parent	University of California, Los Angeles
Website	https://grad.ucla.edu

UCLA Graduate Division. The division serves as the central administrative and academic unit for all post-baccalaureate education at the University of California, Los Angeles. It oversees more than 130 graduate degree programs across numerous schools and departments, fostering advanced scholarship and professional training. The division is responsible for admissions, funding, academic policy, and student support services for a diverse community of over 13,000 graduate students.

Overview

Established concurrently with the founding of the southern branch of the University of California in 1919, the division has grown to become one of the nation's most comprehensive and prestigious centers for graduate education. It operates under the broader University of California system and is integral to UCLA's status as a top-tier R1 research university. The division's mission emphasizes the creation of new knowledge, the advancement of interdisciplinary research, and the preparation of future leaders across academia, industry, and public service. Its work supports the university's overall goals as outlined in initiatives like the UCLA Strategic Plan.

Organization and Leadership

The division is led by the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean, a position held by Robin L. Garrell, a noted professor of chemistry and biochemistry. The dean reports directly to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost of UCLA and works closely with the Graduate Council, a faculty body that sets academic standards and policies. Administrative functions are distributed across several offices, including Graduate Admissions, Graduate Student Academic Services, and the Fellowships and Financial Services unit. The division collaborates extensively with individual graduate programs housed within professional schools like the School of Law, the David Geffen School of Medicine, and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Graduate Programs

The division administers a vast array of master's and doctoral programs spanning the humanities, social sciences, physical and life sciences, engineering, and arts. Notable highly ranked programs include those in clinical psychology, education, business administration through the Anderson School of Management, and film through the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Interdisciplinary programs, such as those in computational medicine, environmental science and engineering, and digital humanities, are a hallmark, often involving collaboration between units like the California NanoSystems Institute and the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. Professional degrees are also offered in fields like public health and urban planning.

Admissions and Enrollment

Admissions are highly competitive, with the division processing tens of thousands of applications annually for its graduate programs. The process is decentralized, with individual departments and schools making final admission decisions based on criteria such as academic records, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. The enrolled student body is internationally diverse, with significant populations from Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Demographic data is regularly analyzed to support initiatives for diversity and inclusion, aligning with university-wide efforts and the mandates of the University of California Office of the President.

Funding and Fellowships

A primary responsibility is securing and distributing financial support for graduate students. This includes administering prestigious university-wide fellowships like the Eugene V. Cota-Robles Fellowship and the Graduate Research Mentorship Program. The division also manages National Science Foundation GRFP awards, National Institutes of Health training grants, and a suite of dissertation-year fellowships. Additional support comes from extramural funding secured by faculty through agencies like the Department of Energy and private foundations such as the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

Student Services and Resources

The division provides comprehensive support services to enhance the graduate student experience. Key resources include the Graduate Writing Center, career counseling through UCLA Career Center, and wellness programs offered by UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services. It also oversees policies related to academic progress, leave of absence, and doctoral degree milestones. Advocacy and community-building are facilitated through the Graduate Students Association and various initiatives hosted at venues like the James West Alumni Center and the UCLA Luskin Conference Center.

Research and Innovation

The division is a central catalyst for the university's research enterprise, facilitating groundbreaking work that has led to numerous Nobel Prize awards for faculty and alumni. It supports innovation through grants for interdisciplinary research, partnerships with institutes like the Broad Stem Cell Research Center and the W. M. Keck Observatory, and technology transfer activities managed by UCLA Technology Development Group. Graduate student research is regularly showcased in events like the annual UCLA Research Week and published in leading journals such as *Science* and *Nature*, contributing to Los Angeles's stature as a global hub for technology and creativity.

Category:University of California, Los Angeles Category:Graduate schools in California