Of the top 20 largest master's degree granting universities in California, only two are private institutions of higher education and seven are part of the University of California school system. The top three schools in California with master's programs include the University of California - Los Angeles and the California State University campuses in Long Beach and Fullerton.
Largest Master's Degree Granting Universities in California
University of California - Los Angeles
The second largest institution in the University of California school system, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) was founded in 1919 and has a student population of approximately 38,000. This 4-year public school also has the distinction of being the number one university for freshman applicants and it has the lowest acceptance rate among first-time applicants. In 2010, UCLA was ranked the 24th best university in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. Master's degrees are offered at UCLA through 11 schools and colleges.
College of Letters and Science
The UCLA College of Letters and Science is made up of divisions in social sciences, physical sciences, life sciences and the humanities. Students can pursue a Master of Arts or Master of Science in several areas of study, which include Slavic languages, comparative literature, microbiology and atmospheric and ocean sciences.
School of Theater, Film and Television
The School of Theater, Film and Television offers 11 master's degree programs that lead to either a Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts in theatre or film, television and digital media. Fine arts master's degrees are offered in areas such as theater directing, cinematography, animation, acting and film directing. Master of Fine Arts programs require students to complete creative thesis projects.
School of Arts and Architecture
The UCLA School of Arts and Architecture is made up of six academic departments. Some of these departments include world arts and cultures, architecture and urban design, music, art and design. The School of Arts and Architecture offers ten master's degree programs, some of which lead to either a Master of Fine Arts or a Master of Arts. The only exceptions are the architecture and music departments, which offer specialized master's degree programs.
Eight master's degree programs are offered by the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA. Most of these programs lead either to a Master of Education or Master of Arts. Subject areas available for study at the master's degree level include student affairs, teacher education, social research methodology, principal leadership and psychological studies in education.
Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science
Eight academic departments make up the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science. Some of these departments include civil and environmental engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering, bioengineering, electrical engineering and computer science. A Master of Science is offered for ten engineering specialties; the only subjects for which master's degrees are not offered are computer science and engineering, bioengineering and nuclear engineering.
School of Law
The only master's degree offered by the UCLA School of Law is a Master of Laws. This degree is considered to be the second professional law degree in the United States and allows students to further their knowledge of a certain practice area. Concentrations offered at UCLA include media law and policy, business law, and international and comparative law. Students interested in an area of study outside of these existing concentrations can opt to design their own curriculum for this master's program.
Anderson School of Management
The UCLA Anderson School of Management offers five master's degree programs. These programs include a Master of Business Administration, an Executive Master of Business Administration, a Master of Financial Engineering, a global Executive Master of Business Administration for the Americas and a global Executive Master of Business Administration for the Pacific.
School of Public Affairs
The School of Public Affairs is made up of departments in urban planning, social welfare and public policy. Three master's degrees are offered between these departments. They include a Master of Public Policy, a master's degree in urban planning and a Master of Social Welfare.
School of Public Health
The School of Public Health offers ten master's degree programs that lead to either a Master of Science or a Master of Public Health. Areas in which graduate students can pursue a master's program include health services, epidemiology, biostatistics, community health sciences and environmental health sciences.
School of Nursing
The School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing for prospective students with or without a nursing license. The pre-licensure option is for prospective nursing students who hold an undergraduate degree in some area other than nursing. In contrast, the post-licensure Master of Science in Nursing is designed for students who have a nursing background and wish to pursue a career as a nurse administrator, nurse practitioner or nurse clinical specialist.
School of Dentistry
The School of Dentistry offers one master's degree program in oral biology. The degree can be completed in two years of full-time study and requires that students complete 29 credits of required coursework and six elective credits. Additionally, students must complete two lab rotations and submit a thesis.
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Largest Master's Degree Granting Universities in California
| College/University | Student Population | Institution Type |
| University of California - Los Angeles | 38,220 | 4-year, Public |
| California State University - Long Beach | 37,891 | 4-year, Public |
| California State University - Fullerton | 36,996 | 4-year, Public |
| California State University - Northridge | 36,208 | 4-year, Public |
| University of California - Berkeley | 35,396 | 4-year, Public |
| San Diego State University | 34,889 | 4-year, Public |
| University of Southern California | 33,747 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| San Jose State University | 32,746 | 4-year, Public |
| University of California - Davis | 30,568 | 4-year, Public |
| San Francisco State University | 30,014 | 4-year, Public |
| California State University - Sacramento | 29,011 | 4-year, Public |
| University of California - San Diego | 27,520 | 4-year, Public |
| University of California - Irvine | 26,984 | 4-year, Public |
| California State University - Fresno | 22,613 | 4-year, Public |
| University of California - Santa Barbara | 21,868 | 4-year, Public |
| California State Polytechnic University - Pomona | 21,190 | 4-year, Public |
| California State University - Los Angeles | 20,743 | 4-year, Public |
| California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo | 19,471 | 4-year, Public |
| University of California - Riverside | 18,079 | 4-year, Public |
| Stanford University | 17,833 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
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