Prospective Students

Thank you for your interest in the Computational Social Science M.S. Program. We welcome applicants from all geographic, disciplinary, and personal backgrounds to apply. This page contains guidelines and resources for applying for admission to the program. If you have questions about the program or application process, you can email us at css-advising-g@ucsd.edu. 

Information Sessions

Join us at one of our upcoming virtual information sessions to learn more about our one-year Master of Science (M.S.) in Computational Social Science (CSS) program at UC San Diego. This session will be facilitated by the CSS Program Director and CSS Program Coordinator. Please see below to register for our upcoming session.

Info Sessions for the 2025-2026 Academic Year 

• October 30, 2024 - WATCH RECORDING

If you are unable to attend our information session and have questions about our program please email css-advising-g@ucsd.edu.

Important Deadlines

• Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year open: September 4, 2024
• Priority Application deadline: January 16, 2025
  • International students should apply by the priority deadline to ensure ample time for visa processing. All students must be present for the mandatory in-person bootcamp (running from June 30 - September 6 in the 2025-2026 academic year). 
• Final Application deadline: March 5, 2025

Application Requirements

Applicants interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Computational Social Science must apply through UC San Diego's Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs Graduate Application. Questions about the application portal should be directed to gradadmissions@ucsd.edu. 

• Bachelor’s degree (earned, or anticipated to be conferred before start of the M.S. program)

  • GPA typically of 3.0 or higher

  • Prior coursework in statistics and/or formal logic is recommended

  • Prior experience with calculus or programming is not required, but may prove beneficial

• Two letters of recommendation

  • Please submit two letters of recommendation for a complete application. These letters should address your academic and/or professional qualifications for pursuing an M.S. Letter writers that are able to provide context and clarity with respect to your ability and potential to excel in a graduate program are the most helpful in evaluating your application.

• Personal statement

  • Online Statement of purpose only; 1000 word limit.

  • Personal statement must address the following questions:
    1) What relevant preparation have you undertaken for this program?
    2) How can the CSS M.S. program at UC San Diego help you realize your professional goals, both immediate and long term?

• Resume/CV

• International applicants to the University of California San Diego must meet English language requirements.
  
  
•  GRE Scores (Optional)
  • As of 2022, applicants are no longer required to submit scores for the GRE. Applicants can optionally submit scores for the GRE General Test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections), but applicants submitting scores will be given no specific preference or consideration during the admissions process relative to applications without GRE scores.

• Application Fee
  • The application fee is $135 for domestic applicants and $155 for international applicants. You may qualify to have this fee waived: UC San Diego Fee Waiver Application.

• While not a required part of the application, U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA application process to be considered for potential need-based funding opportunities during the academic year. 

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