Department Opportunities
For those students interested in research but have questions about how and where to begin, we suggest this option:
If you are a CHST major/minor interested in assisting a faculty member with their research, you may be able to receive Independent Studies units to:
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Develop bibliographies
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Conduct literature reviews
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Assist in basic research activities
How to Start: Contact faculty members individually via email to set up an appointment or drop by during office hours.
Students who have already been introduced to research may develop an interest in pursuing their own research questions. Students should discuss their ideas with a CHST faculty member and develop a proposal to address their questions by enrolling in Independent Studies units with the faculty member who will advise them.
These courses are arranged in collaboration with the sponsoring faculty mentor, but also require approval from the Department administration. Additional resources, including research funds, may be available to support student research projects.
Independent Study courses include:
CHST 99, 194A–D, 195A–D, 198, 199, and 199RA.
Eligibility requirements:
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Upper-division standing
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Completion of two upper-division courses in Chicana and Chicano Studies
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At least 3.0 GPA in the preceding three quarters
Steps to Enroll:
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Discuss your project with a Chicana/o Studies Faculty or Affiliated Faculty member.
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Determine the unit-credit for the proposed project.
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Record the project proposal in the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies Independent Study Proposal Form and request faculty review and signature.
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Deliver the proposal form to the Chicana/o Studies Undergraduate Advisor.
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The Undergraduate Advisor will verify eligibility and forward the form to the Department Chair for final review.
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If approved, the Undergraduate Advisor will send you an add code for the course.
Interested students may also contact the Undergraduate Advisor for more information.
For students interested in pursuing graduate and/or professional school, the Department offers an Honors experience, resulting in the commendation of “Distinction in the Major” on student transcripts and diplomas.
The Honors Program provides students with a faculty mentor with whom they work on a project for a full academic year.
UCSB Opportunities
Dr. Shirley Kennedy, a late professor in the Black Studies Department, was known for her local activism and for serving as a bridge between the university and the Santa Barbara community.
The Kennedy/Graves Award supports undergraduate and graduate students in any academic discipline who are doing research that pertains to Black Studies. The award also recognizes engaged scholarship that promotes social justice and transformative education.
The UC Santa Barbara McNair Scholars Program is funded by a 5- year grant from the U.S. Department of Education with additional support by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and the deans of the College of Letters and Sciences and the College of Engineering. It is designed to encourage students from groups often underrepresented in graduate programs to pursue doctoral degrees.
Twenty to thirty undergraduates and incoming transfer students are selected each year to participate in academic year and summer activities. One of the key aspects of the McNair Program is the opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior and senior years to participate in research experiences.
Learn More & Apply:
The Faculty Research Assistance Program (FRAP) allows undergraduates to:
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Gain valuable research experience
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Work with leading UCSB researchers
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Earn academic credit through special research assistance courses (99/99RA or 199/199RA)
The Undergraduate Research Directory lists:
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Current research projects
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Faculty and senior researchers
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Academic or other preparation necessary to participate
The Office of Undergraduate Education encourages undergraduate students conducting independent research projects or creative activities to apply for URCA funding.
Funding sources include university, federal, and private contributions, and grants are intended to cover project expenses such as research-related domestic travel.
UCSB offers a wide variety of research opportunities for undergraduates — from working in labs or libraries, to engaging in research studies or gaining direct experience in a particular field.
Through the CSI Research Fellows program, undergraduate students will enroll in 99/199 RA units (Independent studies) and will be paired with faculty and graduate student researchers committed to training and mentoring Latina/o/e students. Many of these research projects center life in Latina/o/e communities, though in other cases, faculty train students to conduct research on a range of topics from disciplines across campus, including social sciences, physical and life sciences, humanities, and fine arts.