Handbook of Graduate Student Policies and Procedures

UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies

Department of Education

I. MISSION STATEMENTS

A. OFFICE OF STUDENT SERVICES

The Office of Student Services (OSS), located in 1009 Moore Hall, directly across from Moore Hall 100. It is the mission of OSS to assist students with any questions they may have about the Department of Education and the Graduate School of Education & Information Studies (GSE&IS). OSS provides personalized support to students, enabling each to gain the best possible education. The staff will assist students in understanding and interpreting division, department, school and University policies and procedures. OSS maintains student files and admission records, monitors academic progress, administers comprehensive and qualifying examinations, and coordinates the fellowship and assistantship process. OSS is also responsible for providing students with a variety of Department and University forms.

Students are strongly encouraged to confer periodically with both their faculty advisor and the Office of Student Services for updated information regarding graduate degree and certification requirements.

B. COMMITTEE ON DEGREES, ADMISSIONS AND STANDARDS

The Committee on Degrees, Admissions and Standards (CDAS) is a policy committee elected annually by the Faculty of the Department of Education. Its role is to develop and oversee implementation of School, Department and University policies regarding admissions, standards and degrees. CDAS also has the responsibility for the academic oversight and approval of Divisional curricula, course requirements and course content. The other major function of CDAS is to serve as an appeal board for students. Appeals will not be considered until the student's Division has reviewed the appeal and made a recommendation. Ordinarily, CDAS will not consider appeals that challenge Divisional judgments about the quality of student performance on examinations. It does review appeals based upon potential procedural irregularities.

The Committee is composed of one faculty member from each Division (elected by the Division faculty), two at-large members elected by the Education Department faculty, the Chair of the Department of Education (ex officio), the Director of the Office of Student Services (ex officio), and two student members. The members serve for two years. The Committee elects its own Chair.

The major functions of the Committee include developing policies and overseeing decisions regarding:

  • admissions;
  • student petitions (e.g., leaves of absence, cognate, and supplemental coursework);
  • student progress toward the degree;
  • the administration of the comprehensive, screening, and qualifying examinations;
  • results of the written comprehensive, screening, and qualifying examinations for graduate degrees;
  • approval of Divisional curricula, course requirements and course content.

    As noted earlier, CDAS also retains the final authority to hear student and faculty member appeals which have been denied at lower levels.

    Finally, CDAS regularly monitors decisions made at lower levels to insure that such decisions are made in accordance with existing School, Department, and University policy.

    C. FACULTY ADVISOR

    Each entering Master's and Doctoral student is assigned a faculty advisor within his or her Division. The primary responsibilities of the faculty advisor are to approve the student's academic program, to advise on particular courses of study and, along with the student, to initiate any petitions for change in status or program.

    All students must enroll by telephone each quarter through URSA (University Records System Access) by no later than Friday of the second week of classes. It is imperative that students meet with their faculty advisor at least once per quarter to discuss and receive approval for their courses of study.

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