African American Studies

A total of 12 courses (48 units) are required for the degree. Of that number, only four (16 units) may be selected from upper division listings; the remaining courses must be selected from graduate listings. The program has a structured core of six required African American Studies courses. Students are required to take one graduate-level course in research methods (for social sciences students) or in critical theory (for humanities students). The methods courses should be selected from the list approved by the interdepartmental degree committee (students may petition to substitute appropriate upper division courses if their outside department's methods courses are closed to non-majors). At least nine of the twelve required courses should be taken in the first year of study. The second year is devoted to acquiring disciplinary competence in the student's cognate field, and up to six courses must be selected from that discipline. A maximum of two 500-series courses (8 units) may be applied to either the total course requirement or the minimum graduate course requirement.

African American Studies, M.A./Law, J.D.
For this curriculum, 12 courses are required for the degree, of which eight (32 quarter units) must be at the graduate level. Only 12 units of Law courses are allowed to be double-counted toward the M.A. degree by petition to the Graduate Division.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

Students may elect to complete the M.A. degree through the capstone plan. The examination is administered by a committee consisting of at least three faculty members appointed by the program. The examination is offered on a periodic basis. Academic credit for the examination is given via African American Studies 597. The requirements for the exam option include: (1) designing two original syllabi with accompanying narrative that rationalize the course design; or (2) completing the six-hour written examination that is given during the final quarter of residency.

Thesis Plan

Every master's degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student's ability to perform original, independent research.

Students may elect to complete the M.A. degree through the thesis plan. Before beginning work on the thesis, students should consult closely with their academic adviser and the thesis committee.

Time-to-Degree

Approximately six quarters in residence are required from the time of admission to award of the degree. This presumes full-time student status and normal progression through course work. Students may view more detailed first and second year timelines on the program's website.

MAXIMUM TTD

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing termination of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

UCLA is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and by numerous special agencies. Information regarding the University's accreditation may be obtained from the Office of Academic Planning and Budget, 2107 Murphy Hall.