Any student who wishes to transfer from Master's to the Ph.D. program must submit a complete admissions file as a Ph.D. applicant by the application deadline. The latest a student may apply is during the second year in the Master's program. The candidate is required to add any relevant materials to their original Master's admissions file, such as most recent transcript reflecting performance in our graduate program. Letters of support from potential faculty advisors are strongly encouraged.
The admissions committee will either recommend the candidate for admission to the Ph.D. program, or decline admission. In the event of a positive recommendation, the Qualifying Exam Committee checks the qualifying exam results of candidates to determine whether they meet the appropriate Ph.D. program requirements, at the latest by the fall of the year in which the application is received. For students in the second year of the Master’s program, it is required that the a student has secured a Ph.D. advisor before admission is finalized. Admitted students will receive the same level of support as continuing Ph.D. students at the equivalent stage of advancement.
International students transferring from the Master’s program may be required to renew their I-20 and should prepare their financial plans accordingly. To be eligible for TA support, non-native English speakers must pass the English Language Certification Exam (ELCE) or meet exemption requirements. The Teaching + Learning Commons has partnered with the Division of Extended Studies English Language Institute (ELI) to administer the ELCE in conjunction with the Department of Mathematics.
Helpful Resources:
- Application Requirements & Deadlines - https://math.ucsd.edu/students/graduate/how-to-apply
- Research Areas - https://math.ucsd.edu/research
- Finding a Faculty Advisor - https://math.ucsd.edu/students/graduate/academics/finding-an-advisor
- Ph.D. Qualifying Exam Requirements - https://math.ucsd.edu/students/graduate/academics/qualifying-exams
- International Services and Engagement Office - https://iseo.ucsd.edu/
- The Teaching and Learning Commons - https://commons.ucsd.edu/
- English Language Proficiency Policy for International Teaching Assistants - https://grad.ucsd.edu/financial/employment/ases/international-tas.html
- English Language Certification Exam - https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/international-programs/courses-programs/english-language-certification-exam-(elce)-for-ucsd-international-graduate-students
Note: The expectation in the UC San Diego Department of Mathematics is that an applicant for graduate studies should be upfront about the intended degree when applying. Submitting an application for a terminal M.A. or M.S. degree when the real intention is to try to earn a Ph.D. in the Department is discouraged.
