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The basic requirement for admission is a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution with a major in any appropriate subject.  A master’s degree is not required.  Admission to the graduate program is based on the following criteria:

• Academic record.  In addition to your Grade Point Average and official transcripts, this includes relevant training in Ethnic Studies or related fields.  
• Performance on the Graduate Record Examination.  1100 required for admission and 1200 to be considered for fellowships.  Since we factor in a combination of all application materials, if your GRE score does not meet the university’s minimum standards, but your file excels in other areas, you may still be accepted into the program, and you may still be eligible for fellowship funding.

• Letters of recommendation.  Minimum of three letters.  Recommenders should be familiar with your track record of achieving academic excellence, and/or your potential for graduate school success.  Two of the letters must be from professors in your major subject.

• Statement of Purpose.  Recommended maximum of 1,000 words.  Focus on your proposed research/dissertation plan, intended areas of specialization, and scholarly experience.  Articulate your knowledge of ethnic studies, and how your intellectual contributions can help shape or advance the field.  Offer a vision of how your proposed research/dissertation plan fits within the department faculty’s areas of expertise and the graduate program’s three areas of specialization.  If you have not completed a significant amount of coursework in Ethnic Studies or related fields, or if you have been working in professional fields like law or social work, please address your desire to pursue Ethnic Studies research, and explain your readiness for interdisciplinary training.  Clearly and concisely describe your intellectual development, preparation, achievements, and goals.  If necessary, explain any inconsistent or anomalous aspect of your academic record.
• Personal History.  Recommended maximum of 500 words
• Writing sample.  Recommended maximum of 20 double-spaced pages.  Ideally, this should be a single scholarly, expository essay such as a term paper that develops a persuasive argument or analysis.  You may also submit a section of, or excerpts from a senior, honors, or master’s thesis.  You may also submit a previously published essay, article, or book anthology chapter, which can exceed the page limit.  Two shorter papers may be submitted, but are not preferred.
• Compatibility between applicant’s areas of interest and department’s research and teaching emphases.

Applications are now being accepted.  The deadline for applications to be admitted into the Fall 2010 cohort is January 5, 2010.

Further details about admission requirements, and how to apply, can be found on the Graduate Division website:  www.graduatedivision.ucr.edu