student in the lab

Returning & Continuing Students

Check with your graduate program for eligibility requirements and program details prior to submitting an online application for any of the returning or continuing application options.

Leave of Absence

To request a leave of absence from graduate studies for 1 - 3 quarters, log into R'Grad to access the Leave of Absence form.

Continuing Students

For those applying for Add a Major or Change of Major, you will use the Continuing & Returning Grad Students tab to log in. You will have access to a modified application based on the option selected. For those applying for a Change of Degree Objective, select the appropriate type below to find out how to apply.

  • Add a Major

    Currently enrolled UCR graduate students can request to add another major with the approval of the new program and, importantly, their current program, (i.e., Computer Science PHD adding a Statistics MS). Please note that coursework used to obtain one degree cannot be used towards degree requirements in another degree.

    Use the Continuing & Returning UCR Grad Students tab in the online application system to submit your Add a Major application.

  • Change of Major

    Currently enrolled UCR graduate students can request to change to another major with approval from the new program. Be aware that any financial support that you have received for your current major will not automatically apply to the new major. Please note that coursework used to obtain one degree cannot be used towards degree requirements in another degree. 

    If changing your major includes changing your degree objective to Ph.D., you may be eligible for new cohort funding. See the Applying for New Cohort Funding section to see if you qualify and how to apply.

    If you are not eligible for new cohort funding, use the Continuing & Returning UCR Grad Students tab in the online application system to submit your Change of major application.

     

  • Change of Degree Objective (PHD to Master's)

    To change your degree objective from PhD to Master's within the same major, i.e. Ph.D. in Economics to M.A. in Economics, complete the Change of Degree Objective petition with the Graduate Academic Affairs Office in Graduate Division.

     

  • Change of Degree Objective (Master's to PHD)

    To change your degree objective from Master's to PhD within the same major, i.e. M.A. in Art History to Ph.D. in Art History, you will use the Log In tab of the official graduate student application and complete a standard application.

  • Applying for New Cohort Funding

    A student pursuing a master's degree who didn't receive any central fellowship funding in their initial offer may be eligible to apply for new cohort funding when changing to a Ph.D., whether the same major or a new one. We encourage you to talk to your program about funding eligibility. If you do qualify for new cohort funding, you will need to submit a standard application using the Log In tab of our online application system. You may copy your initial application, but you will need to provide three new recommenders to support your application, add your graduate-level attendance at UCR, and pay a new application fee.

    DO NOT use the Continuing & Returning UCR Grad Students tab to create an application.

  • Deadlines

    Please visit the Deadlines page and see the All Students deadlines chart under Returning and Continuing Students.

Returning Graduate Students

For those applying for readmission, which program you select will determine the type of graduate app required. Select the appropriate option below to find out which application you will use. A new application fee is required to apply.

  • Readmission (to same program)

    Students who were enrolled in a graduate program for one complete quarter or more and have withdrawn from the program can apply for re-admittance into that same graduate program. Readmission is not required for students returning from an official leave of absence. If you plan to use filing fee status the same quarter as readmission to the program, you must complete and submit the filing fee petition. You will also need to indicate your intent to return on filing fee in your Statement of Purpose.  

    To apply for readmission, you will use the Continuing & Returning Grad Students tab to log in and select the readmission option. Selecting readmission, will grant you access to a modified application.

    DO NOT use the returning student option if there has been a quarter or more break from your last attendance of graduate study at UCR AND you are pursuing a degree in a different graduate program. Go to the Readmission (to a different program) for further instructions.

  • Readmission (to a different program)

    A returning student who has either completed a graduate degree or withdrew from that program AND is applying to a new graduate program, would need to submit a new application. You will use the Log In tab within our graduate application. You should use the same log in that you submitted your original graduate application to UCR.

    DO NOT use the Continuing & Returning Grad Students tab to log in.

  • Deadlines

    Please visit the Deadlines page and see the All Students deadlines chart under Returning and Continuing Students.

Contact Info

For assistance, see which department below may be able to assist you.

Graduate Program

Program Contact Information


  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Support Materials
  • Application Status

Graduate Admissions

951-827-3313 (option 2)
grdadmis@ucr.edu


  • Online Application Requirements and System
  • Issues Accepting Offer
  • Student Status Issues (Re-Admits)

Graduate Academic Affairs

Application Approver & Policy Questions

Kara Oswood

951-827-3387
kara.oswood@ucr.edu


  • Readmission

Graduate Academic Affairs

Application Approver & Policy Questions

Gabriela Ochoa

951-827-3315
gabriela.ochoa@ucr.edu


  • Add a Major
  • Change of Major
  • Change of Degree Objective

International Students and Scholars Office

951-827-4113
internationalstudents@ucr.edu


  • Required Verification of Support Requirements
  • Issuing or Updating I-20 or DS-2019 Form