Graduate studies in the School of Social Sciences at UC Irvine are imprinted with the School’s original dedication  to diversity, quality and relevance.

Diversity
From the Institute for Mathematical Behavioral Sciences to the Center for Ethnography, the School of Social Sciences has an enormous diversity and range of research and instructional enterprises and is distinguished by its multi-disciplinary approach to research discovery and training. The school is also committed to the diversity of its graduate student body, and has dedicated faculty mentors who focus on our intellectual and social climate.

Quality
The school’s open atmosphere allows for easy interaction between students and faculty.  Globally recognized for its excellence, the faculty include 11 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Science, as well as cutting-edge junior scholars whose work is creating new fields, from cognitive robotics to the anthropology of virtual worlds. The doctoral programs rank at the top of their fields; an achievement due in no small measure to the quality and commitment of the school’s graduate students.  Indeed, graduate research is front and center of the agenda. Working with the school’s distinguished faculty, graduate students have seized the opportunity to shape their fields.

Relevance
Research in the social sciences ranges from basic, pure research to applied, action-oriented research.  From findings that will change how disabled veterans receive care and action-oriented policy contributions aimed at creating community park space for health awareness, to explorations of the interconnections made possible by Internet technologies and their impact for international security, cultural transformation, the arts and education, faculty and graduate student research makes an impact on the communities the university serves.
 
Graduate education is thriving in the UC Irvine School of Social Sciences. Reflecting the tripartite mission of the University of California--research, teaching and community service--social sciences students are already assuming leadership roles in academia, education, science and society.