Educational Opportunities
Catalog pages 9-12
California Teach-Science/Mathematics Initiative (CaTEACH-SMI)
Leslie Bushong, Director Resource Center, 1315 Pierce Hall (951)827-4970; smi.ucr.edu
California Teach-Science Mathematics Initiative (CaTEACH-SMI) has a goal of addressing the critical need of highly qualified K-12 science and mathematics teachers in California. With an economy increasingly reliant on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and the anticipated large scale retirement of qualified teachers, this is an essential time to explore and prepare for a career in teaching science or mathematics.
CaTEACH-SMI at UCR offers undergraduate students paid/unpaid opportunities to explore STEM teaching as a career option. Through CaTEACH-SMI, students receive advising and mentoring to prepare for entrance into an intern teaching credential program while diligently coordinating with Introducing UC Riverside / 9 academic advisors to ensure completion of STEM degree requirements. The CaTEACH-SMI Resource Center provides future STEM teachers with material and financial resources to promote planning and professional development towards a science/mathematics education career.
Education Abroad Program
International Education Center University Village Suite 204
- (951) 827-4113; internationalcenter.ucr.edu
Search for programs by specific areas at http://eap.ucop.edu
The Education Abroad Program is UC's official study abroad program, offering a high quality curriculum tailored to meet the specific needs of UC students. EAP operates in cooperation with nearly 120 host institutions in 35 countries worldwide, and sends approximately 4,700 UC students overseas annually. Available at each class level, students in any major will want to identify an EAP experience for their degree and career plans. Options vary by duration (short term to academic year) and by academic focus. EAP details are described in the Programs and Courses section of this catalog under Education Abroad Program.
Honorary Societies
To learn more about these organizations: honors.ucr.edu/opportunities/honors_societies.html or www.studentlife.ucr.edu
Alpha Lambda Delta is a national society that honors academic excellence during a student’s first year in college. It encourages superior academic achievement among students in their first year, promotes intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning, and assists women and men in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their roles in society. First year students with a first-year minimum 3.50 GPA are invited to join.
Gamma Beta Phi is a national collegiate honorary and service society that recognizes and encourages educational excellence, develops leadership and character in its members, and fosters, disseminates, and improves education through appropriate service projects. It recognizes students ranking in the top 20 percent of their class.
Golden Key International Honour Society The top 15 percent of undergraduate juniors and seniors (part time and full time) from all academic disciplines are invited to join Golden Key. The one-time membership fee is for life. Each year, Golden Key national and the campus chapter award scholarships to UCR members. For more information, contact the UCR Honors Program at 2316 Olmsted, (951) 827-5323.
National Residence Hall Honorary aids the development and maintenance of a strong, diverse and academically successful residential community within the UCR Residence Halls. Students must be in the top one percent of the residence hall population.
National Society of Collegiate Scholars recognizes and celebrates high achievement among first and second year students in all academic disciplines. NSCS students rank among the top 20 percent of their freshman or sophomore class.
Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, was founded to recognize leadership of exceptional quality and versatility in college, including representatives in all phases of college life; that those representatives should cooperate in a worthwhile endeavor; and that outstanding students, faculty, and administrators should meet on a basis of mutual interest, understanding and helpfulness. ODK students rank in the top 35 percent of their class.
Order of Omega is a national honor society to recognize junior and senior members of social Greek letter organizations with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for their service to the Greek system and the university. It honors the top 3 percent of the university Greek population for excellence in academics, leadership and campus or community service.
Phi Beta Kappa elects approximately 10 percent of seniors majoring in liberal subject areas of the arts and sciences. UCR’s IOTA chapter elects on the basis of scholarly achievement, character, and broad cultural interests.
Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity is a co-educational fraternity open to undergraduate students that have completed 1 quarter of college coursework and achieved a minimum 3.0 GPA. Phi Sigma Pi members participate in a lifelong journey of increased awareness, improved capa- bilities, great opportunities and a network of friendships while encourag- ing the three ideals of leadership, fellowship and scholarship.
Pi Sigma Alpha is the only National Political Science Honor Society for college students of political science and government in the United States. In order to be eligible, students must be a junior, senior or graduate stu- dent and be ranked in the top 1/3 of their entire class.
Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology was founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. Society members must rank in the top 35 percent of their class with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Sigma Alpha Lambda promotes, recognizes, and rewards academic achievement and provides members with opportunities for community service, personal development, and lifelong professional fulfillment. Sigma Alpha Lambda is open to sophomore students (and above) with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Tau Beta Pi (National Engineering Honor Society) marks those who have conferred honor upon their alma mater by distinguished scholarship and exemplary character as students, or by their attainments as alumni. Students rank in the top 1/8 of the junior class or top 1/5 of the senior class.
Tau Sigma National Honor Society recognizes the academic achievement of students transferring to an institution of higher learning from another academic institution, and encourages and promotes the students’ involvement in the institution to which they have transferred. Tau Sigma students rank in the top 20 percent of their class with a 3.5 GPA.
International Education Programs
International Education Programs UCR Extension Center 1200 University Avenue; Riverside, CA; 92507-4596
- (951) 827-4346; fax (951) 827-1074
ucriep@ucx.ucr.edu; www.iep.ucr.edu
Offers a wide variety of English language, Certificate and Diploma pro- grams for international students and professionals on a year-round basis. Also offers academic pathways for students wishing to study at UCR and other U.S. colleges and universities, and opportunities for visiting interna- tional students to take UCR credit courses, on a space available basis. Provides support services such as program orientation, housing assis- tance, immigration advising, social activities, and counseling.
Offers the following programs:
- • Intensive English
- • Improving Oral Fluency
- • Conversation and American Culture
- • English for International Business
- • English for Academic Purposes
- • University Credit Program
- • UCR Admission Preparation Program
- • UCR International Transfer Track Program
- • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- • Several intensive professional programs including postgraduate diplomas
in management and hospitality.
Reserve Officer’s Training Corps
Students may with the permission of the dean of their college enroll in ROTC courses at another institution while completing their degree programs at UCR. Students interested in Air Force ROTC should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (951) 827-3411 regarding concurrent enrollment procedures. Those interested in Army ROTC should contact the Office of the Registrar at (951) 827-3409 for information on cross-registration. Descriptive pamphlets summarizing the programs are available at the UCR Career Center.
Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) prepares young men and women to become second lieutenants in the United States Air Force while completing their college degree. The program offers scholarships, internships, and a rewarding career after graduation. Classes are offered at California State University, San Bernardino; however, UCR students may enroll using our cross-town agreement. For more information, please contact (909) 537-5440 or visit http://afrotc.csusb.edu.
Army ROTC Through arrangements with Claremont McKenna College and the Department of Military Science at California State University, San Bernardino, two- and four-year Army ROTC (AROTC) programs are available. Academic units earned in the program may be counted as elective units toward fulfillment of UCR graduation requirements. Successful completion of the AROTC program leads to a commission as a Second Lieutenant with subsequent service on active duty or assignment to an Army Reserve or National Guard unit. For more infor- mation call Claremont McKenna College, (909) 537-5533 or 537-5534 or visit www.cmcarmyrotc.com.
Summer Sessions and Special Programs
361 Surge Building
- (951) 827-3044; http://summer.ucr.edu
Summer Sessions offers regular UCR courses in multiple, abbreviated summer sessions, giving students the opportunity to expedite time to graduation, take hard-to-get classes, improve their GPA, get back on academic track, perform research with faculty, and seek professional development or enrichment courses.
Who May Attend? Summer term is open to all UC and non-UC students with a high school degree, or who are at least 18 years of age. Students do not have to be admitted to the university to attend Summer Sessions, nor does admission to Summer Sessions constitute admission as a regular student of the university. See the website for more information and an application form for non-UCR students: http://summer.ucr.edu.
Special Programs, such as the Summer Study Abroad, offer summer stu- dents 8 units of credit while participating in a UCR faculty-led program in an international setting (http://summerstudyabroad.ucr.edu). Similarly, the Summer Academy for Advanced High School Students program takes advantage of the compressed session format to open the UCR campus to eligible high school students. The program gives high school students an opportunity to get a head start on their undergraduate degree by earning lower division course credit on an official UC transcript: (http://summeracademy.ucr.edu).
Credits, Grades, and Units All UCR courses are normally transferable to other institutions and applicable to degree programs. For UCR students, credits and grades are automatically placed on their official transcript of record without any necessity to transfer them. UCR continuing students wishing to take courses in excess of 10 units per session must have the approval of their college dean; all other students must have the permission of the Summer Sessions Director of Administration. UCR students in dismissed status must seek approval from their college dean before registering for Summer Sessions.
University of California Center Sacramento Scholar Intern Program
Associate Director and Public Affairs Journalism Director: AG Block 1130 K Street, Suite LL22 Sacramento, CA 95814
- (916) 445-5100 or (951) 827-2634
uccs.universityofcalifornia.edu
The UCCS program provides students with an opportunity to gain first- hand knowledge of California's public policy challenges and processes. The program includes coursework as well as professional experience while living, interning, and attending classes in Sacramento. Participants will
- • Work as an intern supporting the policy making process in a legislator's
office, an executive branch agency, or another setting in the Sacramento policy community. (10 credit hours)
- • Learn about the state's political processes, institutions, and policy
challenges in the California Policy Seminar taught by members of the UC Davis faculty and featuring guest lectures given by a wide array of participants in and observers of California politics and government. (4 credit hours)
- • Take courses on the UC Davis campus as appropriate to individual
needs and interests. (optional)
Housing is available for students 10 minutes from the Capitol building and internships range from 24 to 33 hours per week. Application requirements include a 3.0 recommended GPA and junior, senior, or graduate standing during the participating quarter. Financial aid is available for the quarter in Sacramento.
UC Riverside Extension
Dean: Sharon A. Duffy, Ph.D 1200 University Avenue; Riverside, CA; 92507-4596
- (951) 827-4105; fax (951) 827-7374
moreinfo@ucx.ucr.edu; http://www.extension.ucr.edu
UCR Extension is the continuing education branch of the university. Extension programs are open to anyone seeking higher education. University Extension offers degree credit; postgraduate continuing education credit; and noncredit programs for pursuit of intellectual and cultural interests, professional and career advancement, and examination of topical thinking on public affairs and urban problems. Current and former undergraduate students can enhance their degrees through one of the specialized Professional Certificate Programs. Many courses are offered weekends and evenings for students’ convenience.
UCR Extension provides a range of educational opportunities and formats, including concurrent enrollment in UCR campus courses, weekend and one-day conferences, intensive and online Certificate Programs. Intensive English and other programs for non-matriculated international students and international groups are available throughout the year. Students do not need to be admitted to a degree program at UCR to enroll in Extension’s courses or programs.
Degree Credit Credit earned in certain Extension courses may be applicable to degree requirements at the time of admission to the university. (See University of California Extension Courses in the Programs and Courses section.) Students should check with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions about the applicability of such credit. Resident students in the university wishing to apply Extension credit to degree requirements must have advance approval from the dean of their college or division before enrolling in Extension courses.
UC Riverside Palm Desert Graduate Center
Chief Operating Officer: Tamara Hedges 75-080 Frank Sinatra Drive Palm Desert, CA 92211 (760)834-0800; fax (760) 834-0796 tamara.hedges@ucr.edu; www.palmdesert.ucr.edu
The UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center expands the reach of University of California, Riverside into one of the fastest growing regions of California. Established as a teaching and research center in 2005, the UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center is a catalyst for diversification of the inland desert region by providing relevant regional research, offering innovative graduate programs that attract and retain world class talent to the region, convening and creating partnerships that advance the public good, and impacting the cultural life of the community.
UC Riverside Washington Academic Internship Program
UCR Director: Thomas M. Perring, Ph.D. UCR Coordinators: Trina Elerts (campus) and Chantal Quintero (DC) Undergraduate Education 2319 Olmsted Hall www.ucdc.ucr.edu
This program provides undergraduate students with a multi-dimensional education experience in Washington, DC. Students undertake academic pursuits as well as cultural and social activities. The program combines course work with field research and internship experience. Students also have the opportunity to tour local sites and dialogue with distinguished professionals in the Speaker Series. Introducing UC Riverside / 11 Students from all majors can benefit from the program. Visit www.ucdc.ucr.edu for information about internships and links to other job search sites. The UC Washington Center is located in downtown Washington, DC, six blocks from the White House. The UC Washington Center is an innovative teaching and research facility shared by all of the UC campuses that has classrooms, faculty and staff offices, a modern computer lab, and a student lounge, as well as living facilities for all participants in the program.
Academic Program Students may enroll in 12 to 16 units of course credit for the quarter.
Internship (4-8 units) The focal point of the academic program is the internship, which is based on the students’ interests and major, and is arranged before the student leaves for Washington, D.C. May be letter graded or S/NC depending on discipline. Visit www.ucdc.ucr.edu for sample internships.
Seminar in Washington D.C. (4 units) UCR students meet once per week with a faculty member in residence at the UCDC Center. Academic assignments focus on understanding the city of Washington, D.C., its history, politics and culture. Offered for a letter grade.
Interdisciplinary Elective (4 units) Serves as a weekly forum for stu- dents to share and enhance their knowledge of living and working in Washington, D.C. Students will read about, experience and analyze key sites in a multi-disciplinary context. May be letter graded or S/NC.
Academic Planning/How to Apply Interested students should consult well in advance with their academic advisors and the UCDC program staff to determine how participation in the program will affect their degree progress. Consult www.ucdc.ucr.edu for application deadlines and information on how to apply.
Eligibility and Selection Minimum requirements are a 3.0 cumulative GPA and junior or senior standing during the participating quarter. In addition to academic criteria, the selection committee considers the student’s seriousness of purpose, maturity and the capacity to adapt to a study-quarter away.
Financial Matters Program participants pay the same UC and campus fees as a quarter at UCR and are responsible for room and board, books, and personal expenses. The only additional cost directly related to the program is round-trip transportation.
Many forms of financial assistance are available to participants. Students who receive state and federal financial aid may use their scholarships, grants and loans to finance their quarter at UCDC. Students who receive financial aid may also be eligible for funds from the President’s Washington Scholarship. Other support may also be available; students should consult with the UCDC program staff or the financial aid office for more information.
University Honors Program
2316 Olmsted Hall
- (951) 827-5323; fax (951) 827-5320
honors@ucr.edu; honors.ucr.edu
Excellent students in all undergraduate programs can participate in University Honors. The lower-division curriculum emphasizes special semi- nars, projects, and classes designed to introduce honors students to the rewards of scholarship and research. The upper-division curriculum provides the student with the framework to produce a thesis or project under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
- • Freshmen are admitted to University Honors on the basis of high school
academic and extracurricular records.
- • Sophomores can apply for admission to the second year of University
Honors if their cumulative GPA is 3.50 or above.
- • Juniors, seniors and transfer students with an interest in undergraduate
research or creative activity, and GPAs of 3.50 or above may apply in their third or fourth year.
University Honors offers a variety of extracurricular enhancements, including a reading room and work space with computer facilities. Participant benefits include priority registration and transcript notation. Honors students are above-average, self-directed individuals who seek challenges and consistently strive to achieve excellence. Come join our learning community!