A UCLA education is never exactly the same for every student
because of the multitude of academic options available to
undergraduates both on campus and elsewhere.
UCLA provides students with a variety of ways to enrich their
academic education ““ from interdepartmental majors to study
abroad programs to academic tutorials ““ by allowing students
to tailor their education to their own interests and needs.
One popular program is Academics in the Commons, situated in
Covel Commons. Its offerings include a peer advising network,
tutorial services and workshops.
Tutorial labs in math and science are free and open to students
on a first-come, first-served basis. English composition and
English as a second language tutors are also available.
“Students need to remember that tutorial services are not
for people who need remedial help; they are for students who want
As in their classes,” said Bruce Barbee, director of the
program. “It’s a smart thing people do.”
Though many incoming students may think they do not need outside
help, Barbee believes it can be very important.
“I think many people are really, really used to being
really, really successful in high school. They need to be to get
here, but once they get here, they begin to doubt
themselves,” he said.
Another program geared toward helping students is the Academic
Advancement Program, which serves more than 6,000 students.
Students can receive counseling, academic advising, tutoring and
social support, said Masai Minters, the associate director of
AAP.
Eligibility for AAP depends on a student’s academic
profile and personal background, among other things. Once a student
becomes part of AAP, however, they remain in the program for the
rest of their time at UCLA.
An increasingly popular option for those trying to choose an
area of study are the university’s nine interdepartmental
majors, which allow students to explore different fields within one
major.
“Students enrolled in our interdepartmental degree
programs are challenged with foreign language competency,
interdisciplinary coursework, international internships and a
myriad of study abroad opportunities,” said Jill Schliefer,
director of external affairs for the International Institute.
The newest interdepartmental program, the global studies major
and minor, began this past year.
“In departments, you study one area of the world or one
subject, such as history. But in (interdepartmental programs), you
study different things, countries, places, themes, issues, taught
by faculty from all different departments who take a given issue
and approach it from a multiplicity of perspectives,” said
Professor Dominic Thomas, lead instructor of the first global
studies class.
Thomas says the most beneficial part of the global studies
program is its ability to unite students from across the
university.
“The class benefits from students coming from radically
different backgrounds and training,” Thomas said. “You
meet people you might not usually meet on campus. It’s more
like a global village than an isolated faction.”
Students from all majors are also encouraged to take advantage
of UCLA’s study abroad options, including the Education
Abroad Program, Travel Study and internship programs.
UCLA is currently ranked second in the nation of schools that
send students abroad, said Gary Rhodes, administrative director of
UCLA EAP.
EAP is open to all UCLA students, and frequently the only
prerequisite is a minimum GPA requirement that ranges from a 2.5 to
a 3.0, depending on the program.
There are 35 countries in which students can study, and
according to the EAP Web site, less than half of the programs
require individuals to be fluent in a foreign language, and many
institutions teach their courses in English.