Frequently Asked Questions

Deciding to Apply

Does the graduate program in Ethnic Studies offer a terminal Master's degree?
No, ours is a terminal Ph.D. program, which means we accept only applicants with the intention of pursuing a Ph.D. degree. Upon passing their Comprehensive Exam (typically at the end of the second year), students do receive an M.A. degree.
I am a re-entry/older student. Will it count against me that I don't come directly from an academic program?
No, we do not discriminate against re-entry or older students.
Can I pursue the Ph.D. in your program on a part-time basis?
No. For at least the first three years, you should be prepared to devote full attention to your studies. The program is extremely demanding, with a great deal of reading and writing assignments for each course. After passing your Qualifying Exam (typically at the end of the third year), some students work part-time while they write their dissertations.
Do I have to be in residence in the Berkeley area for the duration of my graduate studies?
You need to be in residence while you are completing your course work. Once you begin your dissertation research and writing, it is possible to leave the Berkeley area.
How long does it take to get the Ph.D.?
The normative time for a Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies is five years. Normative time is the length of time that the Graduate Division has calculated to be normal for a student to take to finish his/her doctoral degree in that field.
Who can I talk to if I have questions about applying?
Please send questions via email to Francisca Cázares (fcazares@berkeley.edu), the graduate program's Student Affairs Officer. 
Can I visit the campus to sit in on classes and talk to professors and students?
Yes. If you happen to be in the area, you are welcome to make an appointment with the Graduate Adviser through the Student Affairs Officer, who can also help you contact current students. To speak to individual professors, please email them to make an appointment. To sit in on a class, obtain permission from the instructor directly. If you are making a special trip to visit the campus, make sure in advance that the timing is optimal and that the people you want to see are available.
I am an international student. Will that affect my chances of being admitted?
A number of international students have successfully pursued graduate studies in our program. Please consult our international student information page for additional requirements for international students.

Academic Qualifications

What are the basic academic qualifications for applying to your program?
We conform to campus-wide standards in requiring the following: (1) a bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution; (2) enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field; and (3) a satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B). Please remember that these are only minimum requirements, and meeting them does not guarantee favorable consideration in admissions.
Does the Ethnic Studies program require the GRE?
No.
Do I need an M.A. to apply to the Ethnic Studies Ph.D. Program?
No, we take both students with B.A. degrees and students with M.A. degrees.
If I already have an M.A., will I to able to move faster through the program?
Upon approval of the Graduate Adviser, you can credit up to four semester units (one quarter unit is equivalent to 2/3 semester unit) of the courses taken at another graduate program toward your coursework requirement. However, you must still take the Core Seminars and the Comprehensive Exam with your cohort.
I did not major in Ethnic Studies as an undergraduate. Will that affect my chances of being admitted?
We accept students from a range of majors, including majors in traditional disciplines (e.g., sociology, English, history); interdisciplinary programs (e.g., Ethnic Studies, American Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies); and majors related to the professions (e.g., pre-law, social welfare).
I don't have much of a background in Ethnic Studies. Should I get an M.A. in Ethnic Studies first to maximize my chances of being admitted into your doctoral program?
No. Because we accept students from all backgrounds, getting an M.A. in Ethnic Studies will not automatically enhance your chances of being admitted. You should get an M.A. in Ethnic Studies only if you want to get it anyway, regardless of whether you are applying to our program.
My grades don't accurately reflect my abilities because of special circumstances. How I can explain?
You can explain any special circumstances affecting your academic record in Form F in your application, "Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement."

The Admissions Process

How competitive is the admissions process in your program?
The size of the applicant pool, as well as the number of admits, vary from year to year. In recent years, typically about 100 applicants apply, and offers are made to 10-15 applicants.
What are the criteria for admission?
See full information, including application materials, on the Admissions page.
Does your program keep a waiting list for admission?
No. We offer admission to all the chosen candidates at the same time.
If I am not admitted, can I challenge or appeal the decision?
No. The Graduate Division accepts the Admissions Committee's decisions as final.
If I am not admitted, can I find out why?
Because of the number of qualified applicants always exceeds the number of admits allotted to the Ethnic Studies Ph.D. Program, each year tough decisions have to be made. Please be aware that non-admission is often a reflection not of your qualifications per se but of your relative competitiveness in that year's applicant pool. You may ask the Graduate Adviser to give you feedback on weak areas in your application, but please be aware that the process may take some time.
If I am not admitted, can I reapply?
Yes. Before reapplying, you can consult the Graduate Adviser for suggestions to strengthen your application, speak to or correspond with other faculty to let them know you better, learn more about the Program's research emphases, etc. Efforts to improve your competitiveness may or may not result in admission, but some students have been admitted upon a second try.

Financial Support

How do I apply for financial aid?
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must complete Form C in your application packet to be considered for graduate fellowships. You also must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
See more information on the Financial Aid page.
What are Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), Graduate Student Researcher (GSR), and Reader positions?
The GSI positions require you to run discussion sections for a course taught by a professor or lecturer.  When you work in this capacity for a minimum of ten hours per week, you will receive a monthly salary as well as payment of most of your tuition and fees (California residents only).   
The GSR positions require you to do research for a specific professor.  If you work at least 10 hours per week for an entire fall or spring semester, you will also earn a monthly salary as well as the benefit of payment of most of your California resident tuition as well as health insurance.  However, if you work in this capacity for 20 hours per week, a benefit of employment is full payment of your tuition for both California and non-California residents alike. 
Readers grade exams and papers for a course that does not have discussion sections or simply doesn’t have enough GSIs running sections and grading.  These jobs can have tuition and fee remissions if the reader works enough hours over the course of the semester. 
How do I apply for Graduate Student Instructor and Researcher jobs?
See application information on the GSI/GSR page.

Graduate program

Ethnic Studies Department
506 Barrows Hall #2570
Berkeley, CA 94720-2570
510-643-0796
510-642-6456 fax
ethnicst@berkeley.edu