Student Handbook

 

We can make links to topics like this: 

Financial support -- Program and classes -- Enrollment status

 

General policies

UC Davis Graduate Studies sets general policies for graduate education. The Graduate Group in Ecology Degree Requirements set the specific rules about what you need to do to get your degree; and the Program Bylaws for information of how we run the program.  

 

Financial Support and Employment

See the Funding page for information about university employment, fellowships, grants and other financial support. 

The University of California system offers reduced tuition and fees to students who are able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements for California residency for tuition purposes as determined by guidelines established by the UC Regents. 

The Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) is the main campus resource for questions about international student needs. International students need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). See the SISS website for the kind of identification they need.  Once you receive your SSN, it needs to be added to the payroll system (UCpath) following these directions.
 

Program and classes 

Every quarter, you need to register for classes (see more detailed information about registration) and see our Program page for details on classes you need to take. You need to pay attention to the following datelines and calendars:

 

Student Enrollment Status

University policy requires continuous registration for students from the first quarter of enrollment in a program until completion of the degree. To be considered a registered student, students must be enrolled in coursework or 299 (research) units and pay tuition and fees for the quarter.  Unless on approved part-time status, full-time registration in at least 12 units is required. Students who do not register for a full quarter or longer are considered withdrawn from their program.  There are some special registration statuses, such as the Planned Educational Leave Program (PELP) or Filing Fee, a reduced fee status to finish the last quarter final requirements.  It is important to enroll, register, and pay tuition and fees in a timely manner to avoid late fees and delays in financial support. 

  • Part-time status is available under certain circumstances, according to Davis Division Regulation C561 and Davis Division Regulation A552(D)
  • The Planned Educational Leave Program (PELP) allows students to take a temporary pause in enrollment and academic work, while guaranteeing return to their program to resume their studies. The purpose of PELP is to increase a student’s potential for successfully completing their academic program by allowing time to pursue other activities that will assist with: clarifying educational goals; job opportunities away from campus (not related to academic research); and time to resolve personal, financial or medical concerns.  PELP is governed by the Academic Leave of Absence Policy.
  • In absentia registration is a reduced-fee enrollment status for full-time master's and doctoral students with an academic need to conduct research or coursework outside the designated UC Davis local campus region (see policy) for at least one quarter (e.g. field work, archival research, internship, coursework at a non-UC, etc.). Students must also meet the eligibility criteria outlined below in order to qualify for this status.
  • Filing fee is an optional, one-time, non-registered status available to graduate students who have advanced to candidacy and completed all degree requirements except for the final administrative/clerical (non-research) steps. Filing Fee is not intended for students who are still in the process of completing/writing their thesis/dissertation/project and/or still require committee review of their final draft. See the Policy on Administration of Filing Fee (GS2022-02) for more details.

 

Academic Standing and Progress

In order to remain in good standing as a graduate student at UC Davis, you must maintain a 3.0+ cumulative and term GPA, and make satisfactory progress towards your degree.  Students who are not able to maintain these standards will discuss next steps with their faculty advisors. Your Major Professor, AOE advisor, Guidance Committee, Dissertation/Thesis Committee, etc. will help you make a plan for success and assist with documenting your progress by completing Student Progress Assessments (SPA's). 

See the grading and credits page for standards of scholarship, good academic standing, satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) grading, Incomplete Grade (I) etc. 

 

Graduate Studies Resources

Graduate Studies has invested in a number of initiatives that promote graduate mentoring, graduate student well-being, and graduate program mentoring and advising. More info: https://grad.ucdavis.edu/faculty-student-mentoring

Every graduate program has a Senior Academic Advisor (SSA) assigned to them (see our program page). Graduate Studies Services Team are available as a resource and advocate for students in any situation. SAAs are the primary student resource for filing your thesis or dissertation and graduation. 

They can also discuss next steps when struggling academically, for example when you are on academic probation; struggling with progress or beyond normative time to degree; when you have not passed/failed a milestone exam (QE, Comprehensive, Final); or when you are being recommended for or appealing a disqualification. The SSA can also help if you need help with changing majors/objectives. 

You may also contact the SSA if you are managing a complex situation or conflict such as experiencing a conflict with a faculty mentor, and you would feel more comfortable talking to someone outside your grad program.

 

Student Resources

There are numerous resources to help keep you on track and enrich your graduate education experience. Maybe you just need to know when and how to file paperwork. Perhaps you'd like to connect with other graduate students or find a paid position to support yourself. There will undoubtedly be points during your graduate education career you'll need support and advice from others to make it through a difficult time, and it's important that you ask for help when you need it. Graduate Studies and the campus offer many resources to support you.  For example, you can join Thriving in Graduate School to learn how to cultivate well-being in your personal, academic, and professional life. This year-long program includes a weekly newsletter and frequent in-person workshops and informal events. Graduate students can sign up at any time.

The Graduate Student Association represent graduate students to the rest of the university, the University of California System, and to the United States and beyond. 

 

Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS)

Graduate students have access to UC SHIP health insurance benefits, dates of coverage, insurance card, health insurance waiver, 

Campus provides crisis and ongoing counseling for individual and groups, including for mental health; suicide prevention; and sexual health. 

  • Aggie Mental Health is a one-stop-shop website for student mental health resources. In addition, direct, rapid referrals for basic needs support (e.g., food and housing resources), can be made through an online portal.
  • LiveHealth Online helps students with UC SHIP access in-person or online mental health providers and medical practitioners with no referral needed. UWILL provides free telehealth options for UC Davis students who do not have access to UC SHIP/LiveHealth.
  • The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (previously the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides 24/7 support by phone and chat at (800) 273-8255 or 988.
  • A free Crisis Text Line is available 24/7 and provides support within 10-15 minutes for those in crisis. Send a text from anywhere in the US to text with a trained paraprofessional crisis counselor.


Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Other Medical & Family Leave for Funded Graduate Students

If you are employed as an Academic Student Employee (TA, Reader, Tutor, AI), or as a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR), or supported by an internal or external fellowship, you may be eligible for certain leaves. Review campus policy on graduate student leaves and speak with staff in your hiring department for more information.

UC Davis provides an abundance of resources for graduate students with dependent families. These resources assist graduate students achieve their educational goals by acknowledging the time and resources that they devote to parenting and other family concerns.  The UC Davis Child Care Grant program consists of two grants that are designed to partially defray student families' actual childcare expenses. The program is designed to offset actual costs incurred in childcare services.

 

Professional Development

The GradPathways Institute for Professional Development (GPI) seeks to ensure that all graduate students and postdoctoral scholars receive equitable access to the preparation they need to succeed in their chosen career paths and in their programs of study.  The GPI is located on the 1st floor of the Graduate Center in Walker Hall.

 

Ombuds

The UC Davis Ombuds Office is a confidential, independent, impartial, and informal problem-solving and conflict management resource for all members of the UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and UC ANR communities. We invite students, staff, and faculty, with university-related issues and concerns, to visit our office. The Ombuds can assist by listening to concerns, clarifying issues, identifying policies and resources, and providing coaching and communication strategies.

 

Housing

Graduate students and their family members are eligible to live in any of the four apartment communities on the UC Davis campus. A number of facilities are family-friendly and students with families receive priority over other applicants. For more information or to request an application, please visit the Student Housing and Dining Services website and https://grad.ucdavis.edu/housing-and-transportation

 

Transportation Services (TAPS)

Campus parking information, commute, carpool, bike, local bus services (Unitrans), shuttle, Yolobus, and other transportation needs

 

Aggie Compass

Aggie Compass is a guide to financial resources, food security, housing resources, and mental wellness resources.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you can find a number of Frequently Asked Questions by your fellow UC Davis students. Answers include links to campus resources to help you navigate centers, programs, and additional resources designed to support your academic career. Specific questions are sorted into four main categories: Academic Support, Health and Wellness, Career & Internships, Campus Community.