Apply using the online application program called Grad SIS.  Through Grad SIS you will be able to apply and submit your supplemental documentation.

For fall 2020 admission, the priority deadline to be considered for fullest funding consideration is December 8th. However, we will continue to accept applications after that date but there is a better chance for funding and admission the earlier you apply.

• Statement of purpose and personal history
• Writing sample
• Disclaimer statement and fee payment form
• Application fee
• 3 Letters of recommendation (on official letterhead)
• TOEFL score(s) or ELTS score(s) (if applicable)
• International Student, confidential financial statement (if applicable)

• 2 official sealed transcripts from all institutions you have attended.  Transcripts should also be translated into English if you have attended a foreign institution.
• If you have graduated from a foreign institution, degree certificates are required in both the original language and English translation.
• Letters of recommendation can also be mailed in if the recommender prefers.  If the recommender chooses to mail in their recommendation, their signature over the seal of the letter is required. We strongly recommend that your references submit letters through GradSIS as paper copies may delay your application decision significantly.
• Confidential financial statement, if international and able to self-support or receive funds from government sponsorship.
• UC Riverside
  Hispanic Studies Department
  Attn: Seabrook Mendoza
  900 University Ave., HMNSS 2401
  Riverside, CA 92521

• GPA: 3.0
• TOEFL (paper based): 550
• TOEFL (computer based): 213
• TOEFL (internet based): 80
• IELTS:  Minimum overall band score of 7 with no individual section score less than 6

• Institution Code:  4839
• TOEFL Department Code: 23

• Not turning in all required documents by the deadline.
• Letters of recommendation that are mailed in.  Additionally, any recommender e-mail address that is not a university e-mail address will greatly delay your application as the recommender must be contacted to verify a letter was written.  Please make sure a university e-mail address is given if you are listing a faculty member as a recommender.
• Not having 2 official sealed transcripts from each institution you attended.  Foreign transcripts not translated into English can also cause a delay.

Please allow at least 10 business days for your materials received status to be updated for documents that are mailed in.  Different components of your application are reviewed separately and updated separately as well which is why you may see various update times. The University closes for two weeks at the end of December which can delay status updates until staff return in January.

The Admissions Committee will be reviewing an applicant’s overall file and taking many different factors into consideration. However, keep in mind that admission with fellowship is a very competitive process.

International students, permanent residents, and even U.S. citizens whose native language is not English and who do not have a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree from an institution where English is the exclusive language of instruction are required to complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS.

There is currently no fee waiver available for applicants.

The online application system, GradSIS allows you to pay by credit card.  If you cannot pay by credit card, please contact Graduate Division for alternate forms of payment: (951) 827-3313.

No, applicants with a bachelor’s degree will be considered.

Most of our students, both domestic and international receive fellowships and TA appointments. Some students receive dissertation fellowships on a competitive basis.

Our students have received summer grants, on a competitive basis, from our Graduate Division and UC MEXUS. More significantly, we have a very good record in being able to support our graduate students with teaching assistantships in the summer.

Please contact the Graduate Division for the numbers.

Yes, we accept applications for winter or spring admission. However, it is more likely to be considered for fellowships for the fall application. Refer to Graduate Division regarding deadlines for admission.

Be specific in your personal statement, what are you interested in, emphasize any synergisms between your experience and our current studies. Also, make sure your application is complete, i.e. pay your application fee, make sure your recommendation letter writers send in letters on time, and those original transcripts are sent. Make sure that your TOEFL or ELTS (if applicable) scores are recent. Finally, make sure you list a valid email address on the application and keep the address current. Notify us of any changes.

For an M.A. the normative time to degree is 6 quarters. For Ph.D. it is five years for those without an M.A.

Check the International Service Center for visa and traveling information.

Please contact the department with your interest.

Unfortunately, we do not guarantee housing at this time. However, housing is offered both on and off campus. Please visit the Housing Services website for more information.

Transfer of credit is done on a case-by-case basis. In general, we only transfer credits taken at US institutions. Because all graduate students receiving financial support are required to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher, the transferred units are expected to meet this criterion. Units can only be transferred if the degree has not been earned at that institution. If it has, then the student may be eligible for a course waiver.

We will have to review your transcripts (BA & MA) before knowing exactly at what stage you would be recommended to enter. It depends on the total coursework and training, we deal with each case individually.