Program Requirements for Biomathematics (Clinical Research)

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Biomathematics

School of Medicine

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Biomathematics offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Biomathematics, and the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Clinical Research.

Clinical Research

Admission

Program Name

Clinical Research

Address

David Geffen School of Medicine
5303 Life Sciences
Box 951766
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1766

Phone

(310) 825-6312

Email

kdipple@mednet.ucla.edu

Leading to the degree of

M.S.

Admission Limited to

Fall

Deadline to apply

May 15th

GRE (General and/or Subject)

GRE: Not required

Letters of Recommendation

3, from faculty competent to evaluate qualifications for pursuit of graduate study and a creative research career; additional letters are welcomed and may be requested.

Other Requirements

In addition to the University’s minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are expected to present the departmental supplemental application showing professional health degree (i.e., M.D., D.D.S., D.N.Sc. or Ph.D.degree), high academic achievement, considerable interest in a career as a clinical investigator, and commitment by a research mentor.

Master’s Degree

Advising

The co-chairs of the departmental Executive Committee for the M.S. in Clinical Research confer with incoming students about their goals and prior preparation. Students are assigned a major adviser, either from the Executive Committee, the Admissions Committee, or from a faculty mentor list available within the department. Clinical fellows may use a faculty member from their subspecialty training program as an additional adviser. Students meet with their adviser(s) at least once a month. Detailed student progress assessments are reported to the Executive Committee.

Areas of Study

Consult the department.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Master’s degree candidates must complete a total of 54 units, including 38 units of required upper division and 200 level graduate courses. The 12 required courses (38 units) are Biomathematics 170A, 258, 259, M260A-M260B-M260C, M261, M262, M263, 265A, 266A (formerly numbered 171) and 266B (formerly numbered 266). Elective courses (8-units required) are selected in consultation with and approval by the assigned adviser(s). Eight units of Biomathematics 596 are required for thesis research.

With approval by the graduate program advisor, equivalent courses may be substituted to meet the program’s coursework requirements.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Clinical experience is obtained in subspecialty training and clinic rotation.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

None.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

A master’s thesis is required. A master’s thesis committee is nominated by the department and appointed by the Graduate Division. Students discuss with their adviser(s) their choice for the chair of the thesis committee. The committee composition must be approved by the Executive Committee.

Time-to-Degree

The minimum time to degree is two years. The maximum time to degree is three years. Exceptions require approval of the Executive Committee.

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing termination of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

None.

Program Requirements for Classics (Latin)

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Classics

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Classics offers the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Greek, the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Latin, and the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Classics.

Latin

Admission

Program Name

Latin

Address

100 Dodd Hall
Box 951417
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1417

Phone

(310) 206-1590

Email

classics@humnet.ucla.edu

Leading to the degree of

M.A.

Classics does not admit students whose final degree objective is the master’s degree.

Admission Limited to

Fall, Winter, Spring

Deadline to apply

January 15th

GRE (General and/or Subject)

GRE: General

Letters of Recommendation

3, normally from previous instructors in Classics

Other Requirements

In addition to the University’s minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are expected to submit a statement of purpose and a writing sample (research paper).

Applicants are expected to hold a UCLA B.A. degree or the equivalent degree from another university, preferably with a major in Classics, Greek or Latin, and a grade-point average of at least 3.0 in the major.

Master’s Degree

Advising

All students in the M.A. programs are supervised by the department’s graduate adviser, a member of the regular departmental faculty. Students are required to consult the graduate adviser (or the department chair when the graduate adviser is unavailable) at the beginning of each quarter to plan their programs, and as needed to discuss changes in programs, and are required to notify the graduate adviser of plans for examinations. Students also should consult with the adviser about problems they are experiencing in the program. Twice during each academic year, the graduate adviser conducts a review of all graduate students at a full departmental faculty meeting. The results of the review are recorded in the departmental minutes. At the end of each academic year, the substance of the evaluation of each individual student is communicated in writing to the student by the graduate adviser within 30 days.

Areas of Study

The department offers the M.A. degree in Classics (Greek and Latin) as a preliminary to the Ph.D. degree. The program that leads to an M.A. degree in Classics is considered the first step toward the Ph.D.degree in Classics. The M.A. degree in Latin may be awarded to students whose academic goals shift during the course of graduate study.

Foreign Language Requirement

In addition to taking courses in Latin, students must demonstrate proficiency in German, French, or Italian, either by passing German 5, French 5, or Italian 5 at UCLA (or an equivalent course) with a minimum grade of B, or by passing a one-hour written translation examination administered by the department.

Course Requirements

The courses presented for the Classics M.A. degree must include (1) four units of Classics 287, (2) Greek or Latin 210, (3) two courses from Greek 200A-200B-200C and two courses from Latin 200A-200B-200C, and (4) three four-unit graduate seminars (two-unit seminars may not be counted). Students must receive a grade of B or better in each of the above courses. Students presenting (1) Classics 287, (2) Latin 210, and (3) two courses from Latin 200A-200B-200C may apply for a Latin M.A. degree. The four-unit 200A-200B-200C courses test the appropriate part of the departmental reading lists. The remaining courses are to be selected in consultation with the graduate adviser. No 500-series courses may be applied toward the requirements for the M.A. degree.

Teaching Experience

Consult the department.

Field Experience

Not required.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

The department follows the comprehensive examination plan. Students take an examination in each of the two courses from Greek 200A-200B-200C and each of the two courses from Latin 200A-200B-200C that are required for the M.A. degree. Students must earn a grade of B+ or better on each of these four examinations in order qualify for a terminal M.A. degree or to be admitted to the Ph.D. program. Students who elect to receive an M.A. degree in Latin take an examination in all three of Latin 200A-200B-200C, and must earn a grade of B+ or better on each of these examinations.

Essay Requirement

As part of the requirements for this plan, students also submit a revised seminar paper in Winter Quarter of their second year. A student must receive a grade of at least A- on this paper in order to qualify for a terminal M.A. degree or to be admitted to the Ph.D. program. In consultation with a faculty mentor, the student revises a paper previously submitted in a seminar in the M.A. program. A committee of two faculty members evaluates the revised paper. Shortly after submitting this paper in Winter or Spring Quarter of the second year, the student presents it at a departmental seminar and leads discussion on relevant bibliography agreed upon with the faculty mentor. Students who elect to receive an M.A. degree in Latin also must satisfy the essay requirement.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

Adequately prepared students taking a normal course load of three courses per quarter are expected to complete the M.A. degree in six quarters. Entering students whose initial level of preparation is not fully adequate will be allowed one or two quarters to remedy deficiencies before beginning the regular M.A. program. Students serving as teaching assistants (normally not in the first year of study) are permitted to count the required course 375 as one of the three courses constituting the normal load per quarter.

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

Special Departmental or Program Policy

A student may be recommended for termination for failure to correct deficiencies in performance the term following notification of these deficiencies by the graduate adviser. A student may appeal a recommendation for termination by the graduate adviser to the departmental faculty.

Program Requirements for Chemistry and Biochemistry (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Chemistry and Biochemistry

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Chemistry, and the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Admission

Program Name

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Address

4009 Young Hall
Box 951569
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569

Phone

(310) 825-3150 Fax: (310) 267-0204

Email

chemgrad@chem.ucla.edu

Leading to the degree of

M.S., Ph.D.

Applicants are admitted to the MS program only under exceptional circumstances.

Admission Limited to

Fall

Deadline to apply

December 5th

GRE (General and/or Subject)

GRE: General required for all and Subject required for international, recommended for all

Letters of Recommendation

Other Requirements

In addition to the University’s minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are expected to submit a statement of purpose and departmental application.

An excellent undergraduate record is required of all applicants.

Master’s Degree

Advising

Initial academic advising is handled by the appropriate faculty area advisor. Students continue to consult with this advisor each quarter until completion of their course requirements. During this period, students also choose a Research Director to supervise their thesis research. The Graduate Studies Committee, consisting of the graduate advisor and other key faculty, reviews each student’s progress quarterly. Notification in writing is given to students who are performing at a very high level and to those who are not making adequate progress. The faculty graduate advisor, faculty area advisors, and Director of Graduate Student Affairs are available for personal consultation.

Areas of Study

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Thirty-eight units of coursework are required. At least 20 of the 38 units must be at the graduate level (courses numbered 200 and above), while the remaining units may be upper division undergraduate courses (courses numbered from 100 to 199). Required courses include Chemistry and Biochemistry 269A-269B-269C-269D-269E (10 units); Chemistry and Biochemistry 258 during the first quarter of the second year; Chemistry and Biochemistry 268 during the first three quarters; and three laboratory rotations (Chemistry and Biochemistry 596) during the first year. After completion of Chemistry and Biochemistry 269A-269B-269C-269D-269E, at least four additional units of graduate level courses are required. Additional lecture courses are chosen from a list of approved graduate courses available from the schedule of classes. Up to 24 units of Chemistry and Biochemistry 596 or 598 may be applied toward the total course requirement; up to eight units may be applied toward the graduate course requirement. Up to four units of graduate-level seminar courses may be applied to the graduate course requirement.

Teaching Experience

Not Required. Students who serve as teaching assistants must enroll in and receive a grade of S for Chemistry and Biochemistry 375 for each quarter they teach in order to continue teaching.

Field Experience

Not Required.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

In exceptional cases, a comprehensive examination is administered in lieu of a thesis. This written examination is administered and graded by a faculty committee selected by the faculty graduate adviser and is graded pass or fail. For students who fail, recommendation for or against a second examination is made by the faculty graduate advisor.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

The thesis plan is the preferred method of attaining the M.S. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Preference in admissions is given to students who have already identified a research adviser under whose direction the thesis research is conducted. By the sixth week of the first term in residence, a master’s committee is appointed for each student consisting of the student’s faculty research adviser and two additional faculty members chosen by the faculty graduate adviser. This committee has the responsibility for approving or disapproving the master’s thesis. By the end of the first term, the student is required to submit a brief written research proposal for approval by the master’s committee. Students have five academic quarters after the submission of proposal to complete the degree.

Time-to-Degree

From admission to completion of courses: Three academic quarters (one calendar year).

From admission to award of degree: Three to six academic quarters (one to two calendar years).

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Initial academic advising is handled by the appropriate faculty area advisor. Students continue to consult with this advisor each quarter until completion of their course requirements. During this period, students also choose a research director to supervise the dissertation research. The Graduate Studies Committee, consisting of the faculty and staff graduate advisors, reviews each student’s progress quarterly. Notification in writing is given to students who are performing at a very high level and to those who are not making adequate progress. The faculty graduate adviser, faculty area advisers, and Director of Graduate Student Services are available for personal consultation.

Minimum Progress. At the end of the first and second year, the overall progress of each student is evaluated by the Graduate Study Committee or Biochemistry Faculty Committee, taking into account performance in courses, written examinations, teaching, and research. The committee may recommend that students (1) proceed to the oral examination, (2) be redirected to the M.S. program, or (3) be terminated.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Candidates should normally complete as a minimum the coursework indicated below. Some of these requirements can be met on the basis of courses taken prior to entry into the graduate program with consent of the faculty graduate adviser. Required coursework must be completed prior to advancement to candidacy.

(1) Required background material: one year organic chemistry, one course in physical chemistry or biophysical chemistry, one year of biochemistry, some coursework in the life sciences, and some biochemistry laboratory experience.

(2) Chemistry and Biochemistry 269A-269B-269C-269D-269E (10 units) should be taken in the first year.

(3) Sixteen units of additional upper division or graduate-level courses, including four to six units of discussion courses or the equivalent, chosen in consultation with the graduate adviser. These courses are to be chosen with the following goals in mind: (a) in addition to the in-depth training in the student’s areas of specialization, the selected courses should provide broad training in the multiple areas of biochemistry and molecular biology; and (b) in addition to a didactic lecture component, there should be a significant discussion component. Two seminar courses should be included in the selected courses to ensure that the student gains training in the critical evaluation of scientific literature.

(4) Chemistry and Biochemistry 258 during the first quarter of the second year.

(5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 268 during the first three quarters.

(6) Three laboratory rotations (Chemistry and Biochemistry 596) during the first year.

Teaching Experience

One year of teaching experience (three quarters) is generally required. Students who serve as teaching assistants must enroll in and receive a grade of S for Chemistry and Biochemistry 375 for each quarter they teach in order to continue teaching.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass University written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations the University oral qualifying examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to University requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

The written examination requirement is coupled to the graduate student seminar (Chemistry and Biochemistry 258). Chemistry and Biochemistry 258 requires a presentation of the student’s proposed dissertation research. After completing this oral presentation, the student prepares a written dissertation research proposal. The proposal includes information about the background and significance of the area of research, the specific aims to be addressed and experiments proposed. The written qualifying component of the Ph.D. program is fulfilled after the student satisfactorily completes this proposal. A written proposal that is deemed unsatisfactory may be revised once.

The University Oral Qualifying Examination consists of an original research proposal in an area distinct from the student’s dissertation research and done without assistance from the research adviser. The proposal is presented orally to the committee, and the committee questions the candidate on the proposal, general knowledge of the area, and dissertation research progress. The proposal represents independent work and offers the doctoral committee the opportunity to judge the student’s ability to think creatively and to formulate significant ideas for research.

All students are required to take the University Oral Qualifying Examination by June 30 of their second year. The committee’s decision to advance a student to candidacy, to allow the student to repeat all or part of the oral, or to disqualify the student, is based on the student’s overall record at UCLA as reflected in coursework and examinations, and the student’s research ability and productivity.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations. The Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree is awarded for the quarter in which students are advanced to candidacy.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

The following are normal times to complete the requirements of the program:

From admission to completion of written qualifying examinations (see above for definition/description of these for each major): three to five academic quarters (one to one and two-thirds calendar years).

From admission to advancement to candidacy: six academic quarters (two calendar years).

From admission to award of degree: 12 to 18 academic quarters (four to six calendar years).

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing termination of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

A student may be recommended for termination by the Graduate Study Committee or the Biochemistry Faculty Committee. A student may appeal a recommendation for termination to the departmental chair.

Program Requirements for World Arts and Cultures (Dance)

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2013-2014 academic year.

World Arts and Cultures/Dance

School of the Arts and Architecture

Graduate Degrees

The Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance offers the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree in Dance and the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Culture and Performance.

Dance

Admission

Program Name

Dance

Address

Glorya Kaufman Hall
120 Westwood Plaza, Suite 150
Box 951608
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1608

Phone

(310) 825-8537

Email

hsafonov@arts.ucla.edu

Leading to the degree of

M.F.A.

Admission Limited to

Fall

Exceptions only in special cases.

Deadline to apply

November 1st

GRE (General and/or Subject)

GRE: Not required

Letters of Recommendation

Other Requirements

In addition to the University’s minimum requirements and those listed above, the department has its own screening procedure which includes an audition and a personal interview. The audition evaluates applicants’ creative potential and technical proficiency with consideration toward applicants’ primary focus.

Applicants to the M.F.A. program must demonstrate exceptional promise in choreography. Auditioners show three works. Applicants are required to prepare a statement (no more than one page) describing the works shown. Applicants should contact the program for specific guidelines.

Master’s Degree

Advising

At the time of admission, students are assigned a faculty academic adviser from the faculty in their selected specialization. Advisers may be changed if the student changes specializations. Students meet with their faculty academic adviser each quarter to plan their program of study for the subsequent quarter. Progress is assessed periodically by the faculty. Successful completion of the first-year curriculum, including all prerequisites, determines whether students may continue in the program.

Areas of Study

The M.F.A. degree is designed for students who wish to pursue a professional choreographic career. Students are encouraged to investigate theories of culture and performance as they relate to creative work. Interests in interculturalism and multi-disciplinarity also are encouraged. These interests may be pursued in consultation with the faculty academic advisers.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Beyond basic requirements, course requirements vary and are determined under the direction of faculty advisers. Students must be registered and enrolled in a minimum of 12 units each quarter unless they are on official leave of absence.

A total of 72 units is required for the degree. There are three areas of coursework, not including electives, and the minimum units for each of these areas are:

(1) Creative practice – 20 units (World Arts and Cultures 211A-F, 490)
(2) Theoretical/critical studies seminars – 12 units (World Arts and Cultures 200-series courses)
(3) Production/practicum experience – 12 units (production/design courses, World Arts and Cultures 441)
(4) Electives in all areas (e.g., education, dance science/movement studies, internship, field work, movement practices) – 28 units

Students are expected to be actively engaged in movement practice(s) throughout their studies. The 72 units of coursework required for the degree must include a minimum of 32 units of graduate and professional courses (200 and 400 series). Only four units of World Arts and Cultures 596A may be applied toward the degree. These four units of 596A may be applied toward the 72 units required for the degree, and must be designed in consultation with the faculty adviser.

Teaching Experience

Teaching experience is not a requirement. However, it is highly recommended for those who plan to teach in their area of specialization.

Field Experience

Not required but engagement with the community is encouraged.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

A preliminary examination evaluated by a faculty committee is required. The preliminary examination consists of a research paper, a written proposal of the student’s final project and presentation of the proposed works. The research paper is completed prior to submission of the written proposal and presentation. The written proposal must include fundamental concepts, objectives, and production plans for the final project. Students may obtain specific guidelines for the completion of the research paper, written proposal, and the presentation from the department.

After passing the preliminary examination, a three-member M.F.A. comprehensive examination committee is selected to advise students in developing the final project. Students may obtain specific guidelines for nominating the comprehensive examination committee from the department. The student is advanced to candidacy when the required coursework is completed and all portions of the preliminary examination are passed. Students are allowed one year after advancement to candidacy to complete their M.F.A. comprehensive examination (final project). Choreographers prepare a major concert in the third year, or a series of concerts. An oral defense of the concert material is held with the M.F.A. comprehensive examination committee.

A written production book with analysis and critique must be completed after the performance(s). Students may obtain specific guidelines from the department. The production book is filed in the department archives along with a videotape of the candidate’s final project.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

Time-to-degree is seven to nine quarters. The number of required quarters is dependent on the student’s need to complete prerequisites or additional coursework on choreographic investigations.

Program Requirements for Geography

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Geography

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Geography offers the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Geography.

Admission

Program Name

Geography

Address

1255 Bunche Hall
Box 951524
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1524

Phone

(310) 825-1071

Email

gradapps@geog.ucla.edu

Leading to the degree of

M.A., Ph.D.

The Geography department normally admits only applicants whose objective is the Ph.D., although students holding only a bachelor’s may be awarded the M.A. en route to the Ph.D.

Admission Limited to

Fall

Deadline to apply

December 15th

GRE (General and/or Subject)

GRE: General (optional for international applicants)

Letters of Recommendation

3, academic or professional

Other Requirements

In addition to the University’s minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are expected to submit a statement of purpose.

Applicants are normally expected to have a bachelor’s degree in geography or in a related field. A minimum 3.3 grade-point average is required (attention is given to junior and senior years in the major).

Applicants holding master’s degrees are expected to have at least a 3.5 grade-point average in graduate work

Applicants are expected to have acceptable GRE scores (optional for international students). Strong letters evaluating past academic and/or professional performance and indicating potential for high achievement in graduate studies must be submitted. Exceptions to these guidelines may be considered for students whose records show other indications of unusual promise.

Ph.D.: In addition to requirements listed above, applicants are usually required to hold a master’s degree with at least a 3.5 grade-point average, and must submit evidence of substantive research in the form of a published paper, thesis chapter, or equivalent documentation. Exceptions to these guidelines may be considered for students whose records show other indications of unusual promise.

Applicants must also provide a writing sample as evidence of their ability to conduct substantive research and to articulate ideas clearly in writing. Those holding an M.A. or equivalent degree should submit a single-authored published paper, a thesis chapter or equivalent.

Exceptions to these guidelines may be considered for those whose records show other indications of unusual promise.

The department requires specific agreement from a faculty member to act as initial or interim adviser before admission is recommended. Applicants are encouraged to contact potential faculty advisers before submitting the application.

Master’s Degree

Advising

The interim adviser assists in the design of the student’s program. By the end of the first year, the student forms a guidance committee chaired by a faculty adviser. The guidance committee consists of two or three departmental faculty members who are appropriate to supervise the student’s proposed course of study. At a time agreed upon by the student and the guidance committee, an official master’s thesis committee is appointed. This three-person committee, at least two members of which must be faculty from the department, is responsible for the student’s course of study thereafter and for supervising the preparation of the M.A. thesis.

Every Spring Quarter the departmental faculty hold a review of all of the department’s graduate students. The purpose of the Spring Review is twofold: first, to provide the faculty with an opportunity to assess the progress toward the degree of every student; and second, to provide every student with that assessment. The student’s interim advisor or committee chair has the primary responsibility for setting forth the necessary information for the assessment. Other members of the student’s committee, instructors in courses the student has taken, and other faculty may contribute to the appraisal. After discussion, the faculty assess whether the student’s progress as Satisfactory, With Reservations, or Unsatisfactory. The interim advisor or committee chair and the graduate adviser inform the student by letter of the appraisal. In extreme cases, the results of this review may determine whether or not the student is permitted to proceed toward the degree.

Areas of Study

Students commonly specialize in one or more areas of geographical knowledge, such as: geomorphology, climatology, biogeography, geographic representation, economic, political, social, cultural, historical, population, and urban geography. At the M.A. level students emphasize at least one specialized area. However, because geographical knowledge and its associated research questions frequently transcend disciplinary and subdisciplinary boundaries, students, in consultation with faculty, are expected to refine and deepen their research interests further, within, across, and beyond research and teaching areas.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students must complete at least seven courses, in addition to the two required graduate core courses and the research group seminars, for a minimum of 36 units required for the degree; of this minimum, seven courses (28) units must be graduate level. One 500-series course may be applied toward the minimum course requirement for the M.A. degree but not toward the minimum graduate course requirement. The core courses (Geography 297A and 298A) must be completed within two years and with a grade of B or better in each. Each student must in every term of residence enroll in one of the two research group seminars, either Geography C296A or 296E. Quarterly course enrollment plans should be approved by the student’s committee chair.

Individual Study Courses. The following rules pertain to individual study courses (Geography 199, 596, 597, 598, 599):

(1) Before enrolling in one of these courses, students must consult with the responsible faculty member and work out a program of study and consultation.
(2) All 500-series courses must be taken for S/U grading only.
(3) Students may enroll in Geography 597, 598, or 599 as often as required.

Teaching Courses. Geography 375 and 495 may not be applied toward course requirements for the M.A. degree.

Teaching Experience

Consult the department.

Field Experience

Not required.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

None.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

Students must present a thesis based on original research. Selection of a thesis topic, development of a thesis proposal, and conduct of the investigation proceed under the supervision of the student’s M.A. committee. The thesis proposal consists of a description of the problem to be researched and the proposed methods of research, a preliminary outline, an assessment of the originality and significance of the project, and a timeline describing the anticipated time of completion of the various stages of the study. The entire thesis project must be carried out in close consultation with all members of the thesis committee. The thesis is expected to be no more than 20,000 words in length, exclusive of appendices and bibliography. In exceptional circumstances the limit may be waived with the agreement of the Graduate Adviser.

To ensure progress, each student is required to finalize a thesis title by the first day of the third quarter following enrollment in the program (normally Spring Quarter). The thesis proposal must have the approval of the student’s committee by the end of the eighth week of the same quarter and be reported at Spring Review. Failure to meet these deadlines results in a "reservations" report and the establishment of a second deadline; failure to meet this deadline may result in a recommendation for termination of graduate status. A first draft of the thesis is required by the end of the fifth week of the fifth quarter following admissions to the program (normally Winter Quarter). Students are encouraged to file the completed thesis as soon as possible thereafter.

Time-to-Degree

The M.A. degree should be completed within two calendar years of admission to the program. Failure to show timely progress toward the degree may result in a departmental recommendation for termination from the graduate program.

Doctoral Degree

Advising

In the first quarter of residence and in consultation with the graduate adviser, students must form a guidance committee chaired by their interim adviser. This guidance committee consists of three members of the departmental faculty. As their work develops, students are permitted to change interim advisers or other committee members, as long as the faculty selected to serve are appropriate to the student’s objectives and plans and all involved are kept properly informed. The guidance committee sets, administers, and assesses the written qualifying examination. Upon successful completion of this examination the student formally creates an official doctoral committee. The doctoral committee consists of three departmental faculty and one faculty member from another department. This committee oversees the formulation of the dissertation proposal, conducts the oral qualifying examination, supervises the dissertation research and writing, and when required, conducts the final oral examination (defense of the dissertation).

Every Spring Quarter the departmental faculty hold a review of all of its graduate students. The purpose of the Spring Review is twofold: first, to provide the faculty with an opportunity to assess the progress toward the degree of every student; and second, to provide every student with that assessment. The student’s interim adviser or committee chair has the primary responsibility in setting forth the necessary information for the assessment. Other members of the student’s committee, instructors in courses the student has taken, and other faculty may contribute to the appraisal. After discussion, the faculty assess the student’s progress as Satisfactory, With Reservations, or Unsatisfactory. The interim adviser or committee chair and the graduate adviser inform the student by letter of the appraisal. In extreme cases, the results of this review may determine whether or not the student is permitted to proceed toward the degree.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Students commonly specialize in one or more areas of geographical knowledge, such as: geomorphology, climatology, biogeography, geographic representation, economic, political, social, cultural, historical, population, and urban geography. However, because geographical knowledge and its associated research questions frequently transcend disciplinary and subdisciplinary boundaries, students are expected to refine and deepen their research interests further, in consultation with faculty, within, across, and beyond research and teaching areas.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students must, within two years and with a grade of B or better in each, successfully complete the required graduate core courses (if they were not already completed at the M.A. level). At least three graduate geography courses, in addition to completed M.A. coursework (excluding core courses, and Geography 375, 495, and courses in the 500 series), are required, as are three upper division or graduate courses in one or two fields (outside of geography) allied to the student’s major research area or subdisciplinary specialization, subject to approval of the guidance committee. The allied-field requirement must be met before the student takes the oral qualifying examination. Each student must in every term of residence enroll in one of the two research group seminars, either Geography C296A or 296E. Quarterly course enrollment plans should be approved by the student’s adviser.

Individual Study Courses. The following rules pertain to individual study courses (Geography 199, 596, 597, 598, 599):

Teaching Courses. Geography 375 and 495 may not be applied toward course requirements for the Ph.D. degree.

Teaching Experience

Consult the department.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

The goal of the written examinations is to ensure that students develop a command of literature in two subdisciplines or fields of geography and that they are adequately prepared to carry out their dissertation research. Command of that literature is demonstrated through the completion of field statements. Each of the two statements consists of a substantial document prepared over the course of one quarter. A third practical examination, significantly shorter in length and produced over a shorter timeframe, assesses the ability of the student to develop a research strategy around a particular geographical problem. The three papers are to be completed no later than the student’s sixth term of residence. In case of failure, the student may make one more attempt, but no sooner than three months nor longer than one year after the first examination.

Preparation of the dissertation proposal follows successful completion of the written qualifying examination. The dissertation proposal must specify: the research question, describing in some detail the problem to be studied, its scientific background, an outline of the subject matter; the proposed methods of research; the degree of originality involved; and a timetable for completion of the degree. The dissertation proposal is written in consultation with the official doctoral committee and should be no more than 12,000 words in length. Once the proposal is accepted, significant changes in the project title must be approved by the committee. Committee members should receive the dissertation proposal at least one month before the oral qualifying examination.

The University Oral Qualifying Examination is conducted by the appointed doctoral committee and focuses on the dissertation proposal. The maximum length of time permitted between written and oral examinations is six months. Oral examinations will normally be scheduled no later than the end of the quarter following completion of the written examinations. After successfully completing the oral qualifying examination, the student is eligible for advancement to candidacy. In instances of failure, the oral qualifying examination may be repeated once. Students have one year to repeat the examination.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy and awarded the Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination

Not required for all students in the program. The decision as to whether a defense is required is made by the doctoral committee.

Time-to-Degree

Students are expected to complete the Ph.D. degree within four years. Seven calendar years is the maximum time permitted for completion of the degree. Failure to show timely progress toward the degree may result in a departmental recommendation for termination from the graduate program.

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

Special Departmental or Program Policy

The decision to recommend termination is made by a vote of the faculty in a formal meeting. Appeal of termination is made to the faculty in a formal meeting.

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Nursing

School of Nursing

Graduate Degrees

The School of Nursing offers the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Nursing.

Admission

Program Name

Nursing

Address

2-137 Factor Building
Box 951702
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1702

Phone

(310) 825-9193, (310) 825-3109

Email

rflenoy@sonnet.ucla.edu / mcovin@sonnet.ucla.edu

Leading to the degree of

M.S.N., Ph.D.

Admission Limited to

Fall

Deadline to apply

Deadline for M.S.N.-MECN: November 1st
Deadline for M.S.N.-APN and Ph.D.: December 1st

GRE (General and/or Subject)

GRE: General (within the last five years; Ph.D. only)

Letters of Recommendation

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: 3, attesting to professional and/or academic competence in nursing.
M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing: 3, attesting to personal and academic competence.
Ph.D.: 3, affirming potential for scholarly, investigative, and creative endeavors in nursing.

Other Requirements

In addition to the University’s minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are expected to submit a statement of purpose. When writing the statement of purpose, applicants should refer to the Evaluation Criteria Form on the School of Nursing website

Since written and oral communication skills are basic to the practice of nursing, it is essential that applicants read, write, and speak English well. International applicants from a country in which English is not the first language and medium of instruction, whether a licensed registered nurse in the U.S. or not, are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores prior to consideration for admission.

Registered nurses who are not licensed in the United States must, prior to consideration for admission, submit verification of a passing score on both the nursing and the English sections of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination.

The following are also required:

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: (1) Graduation from a recognized college or university having an accredited baccalaureate nursing program satisfactory to the School of Nursing and to the Graduate Division, or graduation with a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an international institution with a nursing program satisfactory to the School of Nursing and to the Graduate Division. If admitted under the latter, applicants may be required to enroll in certain undergraduate nursing courses which generally may not be applied toward requirements for advanced degrees.

(2) Status as a licensed registered nurse. Prior to entry into any clinical practicum, evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse in the State of California is mandatory.

(3) An upper division statistics course or a lower division statistics course with content equivalent to Biostatistics 100A must be completed before entering the school.

(4) An upper division nursing research course, taken at an accredited institution and equivalent to Nursing 173, must be completed before entering the school.

(5) An upper division physical assessment course, taken at an accredited institution and equivalent to Nursing 174, must be completed before entering the school(not required of applicants selecting the Nursing Administration specialty).

(6) An upper division or equivalent undergraduate physiology course equivalent to Nursing 105. This course must have been completed within the last five years (not required of students selecting the nursing administration specialty). Pathophysiology is not acceptable.

M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing: (1) Graduation from a recognized college or university having an accredited baccalaureate program satisfactory to the School of Nursing and to the Graduate Division, or graduation with a baccalaureate degree from an international institution with a program satisfactory to the School of Nursing and to the Graduate Division. Applicants admitted from international institutions may be required to enroll in certain undergraduate courses, which generally may not be applied toward requirements for advanced degrees.

(2) Completion of acceptable prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better in group and verbal communications, English composition (two college level writing intensive courses in the English language), human anatomy, human physiology, introductory microbiology, principles of epidemiology (if admitted, may be completed at UCLA), introductory psychology, introduction to biostatistics, and introductory inorganic, organic and biochemistry.

Management, M.B.A./Nursing, M.S.N.

The School of Nursing and the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management offer a concurrent degree program designed for students interested in employment in all sectors of the health care delivery system, including hospitals, corporate health care headquarters, home health care agencies, and long-term care facilities, as well as policy-making bodies and consulting firms. Applicants must apply to both the M.B.A. program and the School of Nursing.

Ph.D.: Students may enter with a bachelor’s in Nursing or Entry-Level Master’s (ELM) in Nursing or Advanced Practice (APN) in Nursing. Those admitted to doctoral study with a bachelor’s degree in nursing or ELM degree are required to make up clinical specialty deficiencies by taking courses in one of the current master’s advanced practice programs. Such courses may be taken concurrently with doctoral courses. Individuals admitted with a bachelor’s degree in nursing are required to complete selected master’s courses in nursing at UCLA as a prerequisite to entry into doctoral courses. Thus, extra coursework and additional on-campus attendance may be required of students admitted with a B.S. or ELM degree.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program must provide evidence of the following:

(1) A master’s degree in nursing; or a B.S. degree in Nursing. Degrees must be from an accredited program satisfactory to the School of Nursing and the Graduate Division. Students who are accepted with deficiencies are required to complete appropriate master’s courses.

(2) A minimum grade-point average of 3.5.

(3) An upper division statistics course with content equivalent to Biostatistics 100A or Biomathematics 170A.

(4) A graduate-level nursing research course with content equivalent to Nursing 204.

(5) Status as a licensed registered nurse; evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse in the State of California is mandatory.

(6) Examples of scholarly papers and/or creative works.

(7) A statement of educational objectives, specific focus of research, and program and career goals.

Master’s Degree

Advising

Upon admission to the school, students are assigned a faculty adviser who has the responsibility to aid students in planning a total program. Together, student and adviser identify academic and personal needs and match them with school and University resources available in order to maximize the student’s ability to reach educational and professional goals. Due to the heavy course load required by the School, students are highly discouraged from working full-time.

Transcripts and grade reports are reviewed quarterly. Evaluations of performance in clinical coursework are written at the end of the quarter. Students are requested to read and sign these evaluations. Individual instructors are encouraged to contact a student’s faculty adviser if they feel the student needs guidance in any academic endeavor. Signed records of all interviews are kept on counseling forms in the student’s file.

Any student who is having difficulty must meet with the faculty adviser and the assistant dean for student affairs to determine the areas of need and any recommendations to be made. These meetings are also recorded on counseling notes that remain in each student’s folder.

Areas of Study

M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing: The School of Nursing offers graduate studies for master’s entry clinical nursing to prepare individuals with a baccalaureate in another field who wish to become registered nurses. Students are prepared as nurse generalists with strong leadership skills to function in health care delivery across a variety of settings in the health care system, including the acute care setting. Graduates of this program are eligible for certification as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), work at the bedside and are prepared to implement the outcomes-based practice and quality improvement in clinical settings.

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: The School of Nursing offers graduate studies and preparation in the Nurse Administrator role, the Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner role, or the Clinical Nurse Specialist role. The following specialties are available for the nurse administrator role: Nursing Administration or Nursing Administration/Occupational and Environmental Health. Advanced Practice is divided into four distinct population foci: Adult/Gerontology Primary Care, Adult/Gerontology Acute Care, Family and Pediatrics. Adult/Gerontology Acute Care students may also select a specialty in Oncology. Adult/Gerontology Acute Care and Pediatrics students may select either the nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or the dual nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist role. Students in the Family, Adult/ Gerontology Primary and Occupational and Environmental Health specialization are prepared in the Nurse Practitioner role only. Students in the family nurse practitioner specialty may take the underserved populations subspecialty. Admission to the Nursing Administration and Nursing Administration/Occupational and Environmental Health specialties are temporarily suspended.

Some specialties have course requirements over and above the minimum requirements for the degree (i.e. dual NP/CNS, Oncology subspecialty). Applicants are advised to seek counseling prior to admission in order to select the population, specialty and role most appropriate to career goals, as well as to meet requirements for acceptance into the particular area of study. Certain programs of study (i.e. dual NP/CNS, Oncology subspecialty) will require extra coursework and on-campus attendance.

All graduates are strongly encouraged to sit for advanced practice certification in the appropriate specialty area by agencies providing national certification.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing: A minimum of 110 units is required to complete the Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing Program. A minimum of 98 units in the 200- and 400-series are required. A total of four units of 500-series courses may be applied toward the degree.

A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 is required. Grades of B are required in graduate clinical theory and practice nursing courses in order to advance to the next clinical theory and practice course in a series. A minimum of three quarters of full-time enrollment is required for academic residence.

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: A minimum of 67 units is required to complete the Advanced Practice Program. A minimum of 65 units in the 200-, and 400-series are required. Specific requirements for each area of clinical specialization are described below. A total of four units of 500-series courses may be applied toward the total course requirement for the degree.

A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 is required. Grades of B are required in graduate clinical nursing courses in order to advance to the next clinical course in a series. A minimum of three quarters of full-time enrollment is required for academic residence.

Core Requirements

M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing

Research Courses. Nursing 204.

Nursing Core. Nursing 225A, 225B, 230A, 230B, 250

Clinical Theory and Practice Courses. Nursing 171, 252, 254A, 254B, 260, 461, 462, 464, 465A, 465B, 465C, 465D, 467.

Administrative Courses. Nursing 266, 267, 268, 269.

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing

Core Courses. Nursing 200, 204, 224, 231, and 264. In addition, Nursing 220 and 245 are required for students selecting the clinical nurse specialist role or dual. Nursing 204 is the only core course required for nursing administration and nursing administration/occupational and environmental health students. Nursing 264 is not required for the adult/gerontology acute care or occupational and environmental health populations.

Advanced Practice Theory Courses. Nursing 218A, 218B, 218C, 218D, 236, 238A, 238B, 238C, 239A, 239B, 239C, 245.Clinical Specialty Theory Courses. Nursing 211, 212, 213, 214A, 214B, 216A, 216B, 216C, 219A, 219B, 223, 232F, 229A, 229B, 229C, 233F, 236. Course requirements vary for each specialty area; students should see courses under each population focus and/or specialty.

Clinical Practicum Courses. Nursing 414A and 414B, 416A through 416E, 418A through 418D, 429A through 429E, 438A through 438D, 439A through 439E, 440, 444, 445.

Course requirements for Advanced Practice Nursing vary according to role, focus and specialty area selected:

Requirements for Nursing Administration

Nursing Administration Specialty. The goal of the nursing administration specialty is to prepare nurse administrators in organizational theory, health services, and financial management for the practice of administrative roles within acute, ambulatory care, and/or community-based settings. Content includes finance, strategic planning, project management, leadership, quality improvement, risk management, human resource management, quality clinical and organizational outcomes management, education and research. Electives may be taken in the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management, the School of Public Health or the School of Public Affairs. Practicums with outstanding administrative leaders are individualized to meet the goals of each student, and give practice experience in health services administration. Required courses include Nursing 204, 218A, 218B, 218C, 218D, 219A, 219B, 418A through 418D, and a minimum of 16 units of theory electives including a course in organizational theory and human resource management.

Nursing Administration/Occupational and Environmental Health Specialty. The goal of the nursing administration/occupational and environmental health specialty is to prepare nurses for administrative roles within occupational settings. Content includes occupational and environmental health, finance, strategic planning, project management, leadership, quality improvement, risk management, human resource management, quality clinical and organizational outcomes management, education, and research. Electives are primarily taken in the School of Public Health but students may request approval for courses in the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management or the School of Public Affairs. Practicums with outstanding occupational health administrative leaders are individualized to meet the goals of each student, and give practical experience in the administration of occupational health programs. Required course include Nursing 204, 213, 218A, 218B, 218C, 218D, 219A, 219B, 418A, through 418D, and at least 10 units of coursework approved by the student’s adviser, which includes content in the areas of epidemiology, industrial hygiene, physical agents, ergonomics, and occupational safety.

Requirements for Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Population

The Adult/Gerontology Primary Care population covers individuals from adolescence through adult and older adults. Students selecting the Adult/Gerontology population focus will select a specialty from the following: Occupational and Environmental Health, or Oncology.

The primary care specialty prepares nurses to assume an advanced practice role as a nurse practitioner to meet the increased demands for leadership in healthcare for older persons, particularly those challenged by chronic illness. Emphasis is on the comprehensive assessment, treatment, and evaluation of the client and family. Advanced knowledge and skills in pathophysiology and psychosocial concepts guide theory-based practice, with the goal of optimizing functional status. Interdisciplinary collaboration and care management are emphasized. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 224, 231, 232F, 233F, 239A, 239B, 239C, 264, 439A through 439E, 440, and 4 units of theory elective. Applicants selecting the adult/gerontology primary care population focus may also select an occupational and environmental health specialty. Students should see specialty requirements listed above.

Occupational and Environmental Health Specialty. The occupational and environmental health specialty prepares nurses to assume an advanced practice role as a nurse practitioner. The curriculum integrates principles of occupational and environmental health assessment and care with primary ambulatory care of adult groups. Practitioners evaluate the individual as seen within the work setting as well as within the family and community group. Primary focus and emphasis are on health status assessment, health promotion, illness/accident prevention, hazard control, screening, surveillance, and rehabilitation of adult workers. Requirements are met through a combination of courses and experiences specific to the delivery of occupational and environmental health care services. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 213, 232F, 233F, 239A, 239B, 239C or Environmental Health Sciences 454, Nursing 439A through 439E, 440, and at least 10 units of coursework approved by the student’s adviser, which includes content in the areas of epidemiology, industrial hygiene, physical agents, ergonomics, and occupational safety.

Requirements for Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Population

The adult/gerontology acute care population covers individuals from adolescence through adult and older adult who are identified as ill and who have high intensity nursing and medical needs. These patients may receive care in a wide variety of settings, from intensive care units to specialty clinics, doctor’s offices, or the home. A minimum of two years of prior experience in acute care is highly recommended but not required. Graduates are expected to engage in research-based practice as acute care practitioners, educators, consultants, and to become leaders in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 216A, 216B, 216C, 224, 229A, 229B, 229C, 231, 239A, 239B, 239C, 416A through 416E, 440, 444. and four units of theory elective. In addition to the required courses listed above, students who select the clinical nurse specialist role also take Nursing 245, 269 and 445. Except for the four units of theory elective, student who prepare for dual certification (NP/CNS) take the required courses listed above plus Nursing 245 and 445. Applicants selecting the adult/gerontology acute population focus may also select an oncology specialty. Students should see specialty requirements listed above.

Oncology Specialty. The oncology specialty prepares nurse practitioners and clinical specialists to care for individuals with/or at risk for cancer. Students will obtain expert clinical skills for the assessment and management of patients with/at risk for cancer; to provide education for patients, families, and nursing staff, and to provide consultation in oncology-related problems. Clinical practicums are available with expert clinicians across the health/illness continuum (for example, cancer screening, ambulatory oncology clinics and private practices, inpatient oncology units, radiation therapy). Graduates are expected to become leaders in oncology advance practice and to engage in research-based practice as an oncology nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist. Previous clinical oncology experience is highly recommended. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 214A, 214B, 224, 231, 239A, 239B, 239C, 414A. 414B. 416A through 416E, 439A, 440, and four units of theory elective. In addition to the required courses listed above, students who select the clinical nurse specialist role also take Nursing 245, 269 and 445. Except for the four units of theory elective, students who prepare for dual certification (NP/CNS) take the required courses listed above plus Nursing 245 and 445. Admission to the Oncology specialty is temporarily suspended.

Requirements for Family Population

The family population covers primary health care for individuals throughout the life span. The focus is on collaborative, interdisciplinary practice to assure comprehensive quality health care and health maintenance in outpatient, work site, home health, nursing home, and hospital settings. Emphasis is on the assessment, treatment, and evaluation of the client’s responses to actual or potential health problems, which may be chronic or acute and include primary prevention and health promotion. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 211, 212, 224, 231, 236, 239A, 239B, 239C, 264, 429A through 429E, 440, and four units of theory elective.

Subspecialty for Nurse Practitioners

Underserved Populations Subspecialty. The underserved populations subspecialty provides enriched theory and clinical experiences to more fully prepare new family nurse practitioners to take on the challenges of improving primary care practices in complex, culturally diverse, and low resource practice settings. Required courses including Nursing 209, 249, and 450. Admission to the Underserved Populations subspecialty is temporarily suspended.

Requirements for Pediatrics Population

The pediatric population covers the health care of children from birth to adolescence. Emphasis is on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of children’s actual or potential health problems. Content stresses care for acute and chronic illnesses as well as primary prevention. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 212, 223, 224, 231, 238A, 238B, 238C, 264, 438A through 438D, 440, and four units of theory elective. In addition to the required courses listed above, students who select the clinical nurse specialist role also take Nursing 245 and 445. Except for the four units of theory elective, students who prepare for dual certification (NP/CNS) take the required courses listed above plus Nursing 245 and 445.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

Successful completion of the comprehensive examination is required. The comprehensive examination is given in written form during Spring Quarter. Students are eligible to take the examination once they are advanced to candidacy and may repeat the examination twice. Retakes only are offered during Summer Sessions and Fall Quarter. Students must complete all requirements for the degree within one calendar year after advancement to candidacy.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time to Degree

M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing: Normal progress from graduate admission to conferral of degree is a minimum of six quarters and one summer.

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: Normal progress from graduate admission to conferral of degree is a minimum of six quarters.

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students are assigned doctoral advisers recommended by the curriculum committee to provide individual supervision and to guide selection of a suitable program of study. Doctoral advisers are chosen for their experience in the student’s research area.

Students meet with their doctoral advisers once each quarter to determine coursework for the following quarter; however, a student may seek the curriculum committee’s advice at any time.

Due to the heavy course load and TA commitments required by the School, students are highly discouraged working full-time.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

In the doctoral program, students focus their study in one of four areas: biobehavioral sciences, biologic sciences, health disparities/vulnerable populations, or health services.

Students who choose biobehavioral sciences focus on the influence of both biologic and behavioral factors on health beliefs and health promotion, sense of well-being and quality of life, symptom management, and adherence to and utilization of prevention and treatment services. Students who choose biologic sciences focus on the phenomena in the biologic, physiologic and pathophysiologic sciences, including cellular adaptations and injury, genetics, neoplasia, inflammatory, immune and neuroendocrine responses and the effect of these on tissue and organ system functioning in the context of human health. Students who choose health disparities/vulnerable populations focus on nursing science in the area of community-based interventions to prevent disease, decrease morbidity and mortality for populations at a relative higher risk for poor health and in the context of a culturally diverse environment for care. Students who choose health services focus on interrelationships of structure, process, and outcomes of care in the context of a wide range of health care delivery systems, from inpatient settings to outpatient and home care and community-based prevention and treatment delivery systems. Ethical considerations and policy decisions that impact the conduct and advancement of research in these domains are addressed.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students admitted to the PhD program without an advanced practice MSN—Bachelors (BS) or Entry-Level Masters (ELM or MECN) —are required to complete the following courses or equivalent: N200, N204, N209 and at least three graduate-level advanced practice nursing courses. The graduate-level advanced practice nursing courses must be chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor. Note that course requirements vary by specialty strand (Biobehavioral Sciences, Biological Sciences, Health Disparities/Vulnerable Populations or Health Services) and entry pathway (BS, ELM or APN), thus certain programs of study will entail longer time to completion and/or less flexibility in class scheduling than others.

The following courses are required of all students in the Ph.D. program.

(1) Nursing theory: Nursing 202, 206. 210.

(2) Nursing research: Nursing 205A-205B-205C, 207, 208, 295A-295B-295C, 299A-299B-299C. Nursing 205A, 207, 208 and 299A are required for all doctoral students. Students must take either of the following: Nursing 299B and 299C for quantitative research, or 205B, 205C and 299B or 299C for qualitative research (299B and 299C must be taken twice for biologic sciences).

(3) Statistics. Nursing 203A, 203B.

(4) Professional development: Nursing 299D, 495.

(5) Cognates: Minimum of 12 units, three courses in related field relevant to area of research. Biologic sciences students also must complete a faculty adviser-approved Chemistry course..

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Written Qualifying Examination. The written qualifying examination must be taken after completion of the following courses: Nursing 202, 203A, 203B, 206, 210, 295A, 299A, 299B, 299C. The examination is submitted in July. Only one reexamination is permitted and it must be completed during the Summer of the same year as the original examination.

Oral Qualifying Examination. The University Oral Qualifying Examination, taken after completing the course requirements and successfully passing the written qualifying examination, evaluates students’ dissertation proposals. The initial step is selection of a doctoral committee. Students are responsible for obtaining the consent of four or more faculty members to serve on the committee as certifying members. Qualifications of members must be consistent with students’ area of research and special interests and also with the requirements for doctoral committees as stated in the Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA. Additional members, including those from an institution or clinical agency representing the student’s clinical and research interests, may be appointed as non-certifying members by petition if the doctoral committee and the student agree that additional experts are needed. The graduate adviser of the doctoral committee must give approval of members consenting to serve on the doctoral committee before the committee is submitted for the approval of the Graduate Division.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-degree

Students entering with a master’s degree in nursing should be able to complete the doctoral program as follows:

From admission to written qualifying examination: three quarters minimum, six quarters maximum.

From written qualifying examination to approval of proposal and oral qualifying examination: three quarters minimum, six quarters maximum.

From advancement to candidacy to final oral examination: six quarters.

From graduate admission to awarding of degree: 15 quarters maximum recommended.

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.0) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing termination of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

Master’s

In addition to the standard reasons outlined above, a student may be recommended for termination because of grades of B- or lower in clinical theory and practice courses, regardless of overall grade point average, or for unprofessional or unethical conduct.

Doctoral

In addition to the standard reasons outlined above, a student may be specifically recommended for termination for failure of the written or oral qualifying examination a second time.

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Biomathematics

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