Special Programs

The Regulations of the Riverside Division of the Academic Senate state that if a student believes that non-academic criteria have been used in determining a grade, the student shall attempt to resolve the grievance with the instructor of the course through written appeal to the instructor via the chair of the department. If the grievance is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction at the departmental or college level, the student may file a complaint with the Dean of the Graduate Division. The complaint should be filed immediately after the alleged use of non-academic criteria but no later than six weeks after the beginning of the subsequent quarter. Non-academic criteria are criteria not directly reflective of class performance, such as discrimination on political grounds or for reasons of race, religion, sex, or ethnic origin or for other arbitrary or personal reasons. For additional information on grade appeals please visit https://senate.ucr.edu/regulations/section/558/05

The procedures for appealing adverse outcomes on critical exams (e.g., comprehensive exams, written and oral qualifying exams, final defense), change of major or degree objective, denial of readmission to the same program (if the student was previously in good standing), and other administrative or academic decisions that terminate or otherwise impede progress toward academic or professional degrees can be found at graduate.ucr.edu/regulations- and-procedures#appeal_procedures.

A Ph.D. student who is advanced to candidacy and has to leave UCR with- out a degree may apply for the Candidate in Philosophy. This is awarded only to students leaving UCR without a master’s or doctoral degree.

All graduate students admitted to a Ph.D. program may participate in a Designated Emphasis (D.E.), a specialization that might include a new method of inquiry or an important field of application related to two or more existing Ph.D. programs. The Designated Emphasis is award- ed in conjunction with the Ph.D. degree and is signified by a transcript designation. Graduate students who have completed a Designated Emphasis may be more competitive candidates for positions in their primary disci- plines. For a complete list of D.E.’s visit https://graduate.ucr.edu/regula- tions-and-procedures#designated

A student who is a career employee of the University may be eligible for a two-thirds reduction in fees through the Employee Reduced Fee Program. Contact the Benefits Office for more information (hr.ucr.edu). Because em- ployees already have health insurance they should contact the Student Health Services about obtaining an exemption from GSHIP. Students that are approved for this fee reduction are not eligible for Half-Time Study and Reduced Fees.

See Fees and Expenses under the Finances and Registration section of this catalog for a list of estimated expenses and a schedule of mandatory quarterly fees. Deadlines for paying fees are published quarterly at registrar.ucr.edu.

Graduate students serving as teaching assistants (TAs) or graduate student researchers (GSRs) who are appointed at 25 percent time (10 hours per week) or more are eligible for payment of the Graduate Student Health Insurance and Partial Fee Remission. Nonresident supplemental tuition is paid for non- resident GSRs who are appointed 45 percent time or more for an academic term, are not receiving any other form of support which pays the nonresident tuition, and who meet the eligibility requirements for the GSR title. Students should check with their departments for further information on these fee remissions.

All students who are considered nonresidents for tuition purposes and are advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. on or before the first day of instruction will receive a reduction of 100 percent of the nonresident supplemental tuition. Each student is eligible for this reduced nonresident supplemental tuition rate a maximum of three calendar years. Time spent not registered (withdrawn, on leave, or filing fee status) will count toward the three-year total unless the Graduate Dean grants an exception. A student must be advanced by the first day of instruction to qualify for that term.

All graduate students are assessed a quarterly fee for a health insurance pol- icy providing year-round and worldwide coverage (Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan–GSHIP). This insurance is designed to supple- ment outpatient care available to students through the Student Health Services. This premium is paid for all teaching assistants, graduate student researchers, and readers/tutors employed 25 percent time or more. Students who can demonstrate to the Student Health Services that they have comparable insurance from another source may obtain an exemption from the GSHIP premium. Students awarded the exemption have the GSHIP fee removed from their bill but do not receive any monetary compensation. Deadlines for applying for the exemption are firm.

Information regarding GSHIP benefits, claims, comparable coverage exemp- tions, and optional dependent coverage can be obtained from the Health Insurance Office, studenthealth.ucr.edu. More information about GSHIP remissions for teaching assistants and graduate student researchers is available from the Graduate Division, or a student’s academic program.

Students who have not established legal residency in California must pay nonresident supplemental tuition. Regulations governing the determination of California residency are outlined in the Finances and Registration section of this catalog. All students will be assessed this fee until they are declared a resident by the Registrar’s Office. Even those who were undergraduates at UCR must complete these forms.

The Deferred Payment Plan offers students an opportunity to pay their fees in three monthly installments. An application and fee must be submitted by the deadline set by the Student Business Services office. Students must apply each quarter and may apply through their R’Web accounts.

Fellowships are awarded on the basis of scholarly achievement and promise. Students apply to their prospective programs, which then nominate the most qualified applicants. Recipients must complete a full-time program of study or research each quarter, maintain a GPA of 3.00 or better, have no more than 7 units of “Incomplete” grades, be advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. within their programs normative time to candidacy, and be making acceptable progress toward their degrees. Fellowships are offered only to full-time students pursuing degrees. Full-time UCR employees, credential and non-degree objective students are not eligible for fellowships. Full-time UCR employees may apply for reduced fees (see above).

Fellowship holders may supplement their awards with employment, with the prior approval of the Graduate Dean. Supplementation levels vary with the type and amount of fellowship award.

Located in UOB 141, GradSuccess (graduate.ucr.edu/gradsuccess) supports graduate student retention, degree completion, and post-degree career outcomes through a diverse range of programs, events, expert consultations, and peer support. We offer the following programs: • Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC) gsrc.ucr.edu: develops and coordinates various opportunities and events with one goal in mind: to help you succeed both academically and professionally as outstanding, well-rounded, and healthy scholars, From weekly coffee socials and peer support office hours, to quarterly stress-relief fairs and professional development seminars, GSRC is your first stop on the path to building a grad student community and a rewarding post-grad career.

• Teaching Assistant Development Program (TADP) tadp.ucr.edu: provides training, support, and pedagogical development for the over 1,000 graduate students employed as teaching assistants. TADP offers orientations, workshops in pedagogical methods, and one-on-one mentoring, as well as recognizing excellence in assistant teaching.

• University Teaching Certificate Program (UTC) utc.ucr.edu: is a competitive instructional training and certification program for students planning a career in teaching at the college level. Students completing the two-quarter program develop student-centered teaching and active learning strategies, design a teaching philosophy, and become members of the professional teaching community.

• Graduate Student Mentorship Network (GSMN) gradmentors.ucr.edu: offers mentorship best practices to graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty. Through year-round graduate student programming, the network helps students access support, advice, resources, and a community. Programs focus on professional development, scholarly communication, holistic wellness, and mental health.

• Graduate Writing Center (GWC) gwc.ucr.edu: provides writing support and instruction in all academic genre during any stage of the writing process. The GWC offers free workshops and individual writing consultations, as well as summer fellowship preparation programs, dissertation writing support, and specialized disciplinary courses.

• Graduate Quantitative Methods Program (GradQuant)

gradquant.ucr.edu: offers trainings on a variety of topics, including remedial, introductory, and advanced methods; data management; probability and statistical inference; statistical software and comput- ing; and professional ethics in data management/analysis. Grad- Quant’s highly trained staff also provide individual consultations and drop-in hours.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans are available to graduate students through the Financial Aid Office. Students must complete a FAFSA to be considered for these federal loan funds. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office or check financialaid.ucr.edu for more information and latest updates.

Dissertation Research Grants provide funds to doctoral candidates for research-related expenses associated with the dissertation. Applicants must be advanced to candidacy and plan to be registered during the period of the award. Proposals may be funded up to a maximum of $2,000. Applications are available at graduate.ucr.edu/funding#fellowships.

The Master’s Thesis Research Grant is for students enrolled in the Anthropology (M.S. degree only), Art History, Creative Writing and Writing for the Performing Arts, Experimental Choreography, Southeast Asian Studies, and Visual Art for the purposes of expenses directly related to thesis research. Applications are available at graduate.ucr.edu/funding#fellowships.

Graduate Student Association (GSA) Conference Travel Grants help to meet the financial needs of students who have been invited to present scholarly papers or posters at regional and national professional confer- ences. The program, administered by the UCR Graduate Student Associ- ation, funds both conference attendees and presenters, with attendees reimbursed at one half the rate of presenters. The percentage of reim- bursement is set monthly and is based on the volume of applications received. More information can be found at https://gsa.ucr.edu/ctg/.

The Earl C. Anthony Graduate Student Travel Awards are available for PhD students who have advanced to candidacy in the biological, physical, agricultural, engineering, mathematics, and health sciences fields, and in interdisciplinary approaches to these fields, to attend national or international meetings/conferences. Applications are available at graduate.ucr.edu/funding#fellowships.

UCR Emeriti Association Graduate Student Travel Award supports graduate students traveling to a national or international professional society conference, symposium, or workshop to present and defend research is a critical part of graduate student education. Travel to access resources available at another institution, museum, private collection, or field site can be essential to the completion of a graduate student’s research. Ap- plication can be found https://graduate.ucr.edu/funding#fellowships.

The UC-HSI DDI President's Pre-Professoriate Fellowship (PPPF) sup- ports three Ph.D. students per UC campus each year who are California HSI alumni and have advanced to candidacy at UC. The fellowship is de- signed to cultivate interest in academic careers and to prepare students for future roles in the professoriate. In addition to the fellowship, each UC graduate division receives support to offer professional development resources for additional Ph.D. students. These resources are intended to encourage and prepare more students to pursue faculty positions.

The Dissertation Completion Fellowship Award (DCFA) offers financial support to PhD students in the final phase of their degree during the current academic year. DCFA applicants may request funding for up to two quarters. A key component of the application is a clear and detailed timeline that shows you are in the final stages of your program, actively writing your dissertation, and on track to graduate. Both the Disserta- tion Advisor and Graduate Advisor must verify the student's graduation timeline and confirm their plan to complete the degree within the award period. For more information visit https://graduate.ucr.edu/funding#fel- lowships.

The Dissertation Year Fellowship Award (DYFA) is intended to free PhD students from teaching and other duties, allowing them to fully dedicate their time to completing their dissertation and graduating on schedule. The award provides one full year (three quarters) of financial support for students who plan to finish their PhD in the upcoming academic year. Each graduate program is responsible for submitting its nominees to the Graduate Division. For more informa- tion visit https://graduate.ucr.edu/funding#fellowships.

Graduate students may be employed by the university on a part-time basis (not to exceed 50 percent time, or 20 hours per week) during the academic year. Students who hold assistantships must register for and complete a full program of study or research and remain in good standing for the duration of their employment. Students are responsible for reviewing their course enrollment to ensure that they are enrolled in at least 12 units. They may not have more than 7 units of “Incomplete” grades and must be advanced to candidacy within their programs normative time to candidacy after entry to the Ph.D. program. TAs are appointed through their departments and must maintain a GPA of 3.00 or better and be making acceptable progress toward their degree. Any student whose native language is not English must pass an English proficiency exam before performing TA duties. No one may serve in teaching title codes (Teaching Assistant, Teaching Fellow, Associate In_) for more than 18 quarters.

Graduate student researchers, GSRs, are appointed through their departments and can be paid on a full-time basis for up to three months during the summer. To be appointed to and retained as a GSR, students must maintain a GPA of 3.00 or better and be making acceptable progress toward the degree. GSR appointments are made through the department or program.