Admission Requirements for Graduate Programs at University of California-Berkeley

Lets explore the admission requirements for various graduate programs at University of California-Berkeley that do not require GRE scores.

Computer Science University of California, Berkeley

At the University of California-Berkeley, the following minimum requirements apply to all graduate programs and will be verified by the Graduate Division:

1. A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;

2. A grade point average of B or better (3.0);

3. If the applicant comes from a country or political entity (e.g., Quebec) where English is not the official language, adequate proficiency in English to do graduate work, as evidenced by a TOEFL score of at least 90 on the iBT test, 570 on the paper-and-pencil test, or an IELTS Band score of at least 7 on a 9-point scale (note that individual programs may set higher levels for any of these); and

4. Sufficient undergraduate training to do graduate work in the given field.

Applicants admitted to a doctoral program that requires a master’s degree to be earned at Berkeley as a prerequisite (even though the applicant already has a master’s degree from another institution in the same or a closely allied field of study) will be permitted to undertake the second master’s degree, despite the overlap in field.

The Graduate Division will admit students for a second doctoral degree only if they meet the following guidelines:

1. Applicants with doctoral degrees may be admitted for an additional doctoral degree only if that degree program is in a general area of knowledge distinctly different from the field in which they earned their original degree. For example, a physics PhD could be admitted to a doctoral degree program in music or history; however, a student with a doctoral degree in mathematics would not be permitted to add a PhD in statistics.

2. Applicants who hold the PhD degree may be admitted to a professional doctorate or professional master’s degree program if there is no duplication of training involved.

Applicants may apply only to one single degree program or one concurrent degree program per admission cycle.

Required Documents for Applications:

1. Transcripts: Applicants may upload unofficial transcripts with your application for the departmental initial review.

2. Letters of recommendation: Applicants may request online letters of recommendation through the online application system.

3. Evidence of English language proficiency: All applicants from countries or political entities in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency.

The following items are required for admission to the Berkeley EECS MS/PhD program in addition to the University’s general graduate admissions requirements:

1. GRE Scores: All three sections of the GRE are required. (Scores must be from the last five years.)

2. Statement of Purpose: Why are you applying for this program? What will you do during this degree program? What do you want to do after and how will this help you?

3. Personal History Statement: What from your past made you decide to go into this field? And how will your personal history help you succeed in this program and your future goals?

4. GPA: If you attended a university outside of the USA, please leave the GPA section blank.

5. Resume: Please also include a full resume/CV listing your experience and education.

Master of Information and Cybersecurity: GRE optional.

Admission Requirements for Master of Information and Cybersecurity:

• Academic coursework and performance
• Work experience
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of recommendation
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores are optional.

Concurrent Master in Public Health (MSW/MPH) - No GRE

Admission requirements for Concurrent Master in Public Health (MSW/MPH) are as follows:

• Eligibility: Prospective and current Berkeley graduate students must meet the admissions eligibility requirements for both schools (Berkeley Social Welfare and the School of Public Health).
• Single Concurrent Degree Program Application: Applicants submit a single concurrent degree program application through the online UC Berkeley Graduate and Professional Application for Admission. There is no need to submit a separate Public Health SOPHAS application.
• Application Timeline: Applications for admission can be submitted at the same time during the same application cycle for new applicants to graduate study at Berkeley. For current Social Welfare MSW or Public Health MPH students, applications can be submitted during the first fall semester of their graduate study.
• Review Process: Applications to the MSW/MPH Concurrent Degree Program are reviewed and evaluated by faculty admissions committees from both Berkeley Social Welfare and the School of Public Health. The same admissions requirements that apply to all other applicants are used for concurrent degree students.
• Recommendation for Admission: To be accepted into the Concurrent Degree Program, applicants must be recommended for admission by both Berkeley Social Welfare and the School of Public Health. Both schools must approve the applicant's admission to the program.

Note - GRE score is not required.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Admission requirements for Master's program in Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of California-Berkeley:

1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or recognized equivalent.

2. Sufficient undergraduate education for graduate work in the chosen field.

3. A satisfactory scholastic average, with a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) for application consideration.

4. The GRE is NOT required for Master's program in Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of California-Berkeley.

6. International applicants: A minimum score of 90/120 iBT (230 CBT, 570 PBT) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), taken during the past 2 years, is required by the University to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement.

7. Transcripts.

8. Letters of recommendation.

Civil and Environmental Engineering University of California, Berkeley

Admission requirements for the Master of Science (MS) in Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of California-Berkeley:

1. A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution.

2. A grade point average of B or better (3.0).

3. If the applicant comes from a country or political entity (e.g., Quebec) where English is not the official language, adequate proficiency in English to do graduate work, as evidenced by a TOEFL score of at least 90 on the iBT test, 570 on the paper-and-pencil test, or an IELTS Band score of at least 7 on a 9-point scale.

4. Sufficient undergraduate training to do graduate work in the given field.

5. Transcripts.

6. Letters of recommendation.

7. GRE scores are not required for the Master of Science (MS) in Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of California-Berkeley.

Epidemiology PhD

The School of Public Health’s minimum graduate admission requirements are as follows:

1. a bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;

2. a satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum B average (3.0) or equivalent (focused on work completed in the last two years of a bachelor’s degree program and in all post-baccalaureate coursework)

3. enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen area of study

4. evidence of English Language Proficiency (only for applicants from countries/regions in which the official language is not English)

5. submission of all required application materials, which includes: SOPHAS and/or Berkeley Graduate Application + fees, Transcripts, 3 Letters of Recommendation, Statement of Purpose, Personal History Statement, and CV/Resume.

Submission of official GRE test scores is optional but recommended. In lieu of official GRE scores, applicants are welcome to submit expired GRE score reports or MCAT, DAT, OAT, GMAT and LSAT scores. If you choose not to submit standardized test scores (which is not required), it is recommended that you highlight relevant coursework (math/statistics, public health, science, etc.) and professional experience (research, data analysis, etc.) in your Statement of Purpose admissions essay. You are also encouraged to submit a relevant writing sample (ex: article, publication, senior capstone project).