Undergraduate · Accelerated master’s
Departmental Scholars Program
Earn your Bachelor of Science and Master of Science simultaneously with one additional year of graduate coursework and research.
Apply by December 15 of your final undergraduate year. Questions? Contact the Student Affairs Office via the Message Center or sao@epss.ucla.edu.
Overview
The Departmental Scholars Program (DSP) is designed for exceptionally promising undergraduates in the Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences. As an accelerated master’s program, the DSP allows students to earn their Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees simultaneously after completing one additional year of graduate level coursework and research.
To qualify for the DSP, students must already be conducting research with a faculty member in the department. While in the program, Departmental Scholars will maintain undergraduate status even though they are taking graduate level courses.
Eligibility Requirements
- Completion of preparation for the major
- Completion of 24 courses (96 units) at UCLA or a similar institution. If any of these courses are from another institution, a copy of the transcript from the other institution must also be submitted in your application.
- 3.5 cumulative GPA, major GPA, and upper division major GPA. You can check this on your Degree Audit Report under the “Major Upper Division Courses GPA Requirement” heading.
- Research with an Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences faculty member
Note: If you are double majoring, your GPA for each major must meet these requirements. Please reach out to the Student Affairs Office to discuss your options if you do not meet the requirements for your non-EPSS department major.
How to Apply
Eligible students must submit a completed application, including letters of recommendation, by December 15 of their final year of undergraduate study. For example, a student planning to graduate with their bachelor’s degree in Spring 2027 should apply by December 15, 2026.
A completed application should include:
- Nomination form (Part I only) — request from the Student Affairs Office
- Statement of purpose (1–2 pages, PDF)
- Research abstract (1–2 pages, PDF)
- Unofficial transcript (PDF downloaded from MyUCLA)
- Two letters of recommendation (submitted directly by the faculty member): one from your faculty advisor, and one from a tenure-track faculty member
Submit application materials to the Student Affairs Office at sao@epss.ucla.edu. Applications are reviewed by area advisors. When the application is approved, an email notification is sent to the student and their faculty mentor.
After you’re admitted
Steps for enrolled Departmental Scholars.
Enrolling in courses
Once your enrollment window is active, email the Student Affairs Office (sao@epss.ucla.edu) your requested courses along with your full name and UID number.
Thesis filing workshop
All DSP students are required to attend a Master’s Thesis & Doctoral Dissertation Filing workshop during winter or spring quarter. If spring quarter dates are not yet posted, check closer to spring quarter.
Thesis and dissertation filing workshops (opens in a new tab)
Graduation paperwork
Submit the following forms to the Student Affairs Office before completing the program:
Nomination of Master’s Thesis Committee (opens in a new tab)
The thesis committee must be appointed at the beginning of the spring quarter. Your faculty advisor serves as committee chair; select at least two additional faculty members. Review the committee requirements on the form so your committee meets Division of Graduate Education (DGE) rules.
Master’s Advancement to Candidacy Petition (opens in a new tab)
Complete this after DGE appoints your committee, by the second week of spring quarter. For processing time, turn the form in to the Student Affairs Office by Week One of your intended graduating quarter.
The master’s committee approves your thesis online via ETD by the required deadline. See File your thesis or dissertation (opens in a new tab).