Campus Resources
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Student Insurance
All CogSci PhD students are fully covered with medical, dental, pharmacy, and vision insurance by the Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP). The fees for UCSHIP are included in our tuition/fees. Coverage includes one free eye exam per year, two free dental cleanings per year, low pharmacy and medical copays, and more. You can have UCSHIP as an adjunct insurance plan or waive it if desired.
Student Health Services
Student Health Services (SHS) on campus provides quality primary medical care, including urgent care and support services such as laboratory, pharmacy, and x-ray. Some physicians also have expertise in Gynecology, Sports Medicine, Rheumatology, Urgent Care, and Mental/ Behavioral Health.
CAPS
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides counseling, workshops, and community forums for UC San Diego students. Graduate students on UCSHIP can also schedule FREE and confidential individual, group, couples, and family psychotherapy sessions. For students who prefer counseling off campus, UCSHIP will cover sessions with a $25 copay. CAPS is located in the Student Health Services building.
CARE at SARC
CARE at the Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC) is the confidential* advocacy and education office for sexual violence and gender-based violence. CARE provides violence prevention education for the entire UCSD campus and offers free and confidential services for students, staff and faculty impacted by sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking.
Recreation Classes
Many students in our program partake in recreational classes at UCSD, particularly aerial silks, surfing lessons, scuba certifications, sports, and even ballroom dancing. These classes are reasonably priced (~$20-50 quarterly pass for all access pass).
Gyms and Sports
Graduate students have free access to the two gyms on campus: RIMAC Arena and the Main Gym.
Our graduate program currently has an Intramural Volleyball team (pictured above) and many students have previously participated in other intramural sports too, such as softball, indoor soccer and basketball.
The Zone is a lounge for student well-being designed to promote healthy, balanced living to UCSD students. They offer free programs such as:
Yoga classes
Meditation
Therapy Fluffies
Healthy cooking demonstrations
R&R Squad body works
Art & Soul DIY crafting workshops
Basic Needs Center
The Basic Needs Center has a collection of services for both undergraduate and graduate students. Services are categorized by Food Security, Housing Stability, and Financial Wellness. Notably, the Triton Food Pantry has a variety of dried goods, canned goods, and fresh produce are available to students. Items are assigned a point value and any registered student is able to pick up 10 points worth of food per week.
INTERNATIONAL SERVICES
ISPO's team of expert staff provides the highest levels of knowledge and expertise in advising and immigration services to international students at UC San Diego. Every quarter, they offer dozens of free workshops and programs to help international undergraduate and graduate students, on top of their advising services. Notable programs and workshops include the International Peer Coach program, English-in-Action conversation program, and the monthly Intercultural Social Hour.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Graduate Division is the central resource for all matters related to graduate education at UC San Diego. Our team is there at every step in a graduate student’s career, helping students navigate their path from admission to graduation and beyond.
UC San Diego's Teaching + Learning Commons consists of six hubs: Academic Achievement, Digital Learning, Education Research + Assessment, Engaged Teaching, Experiential Learning, and Writing.
The Career Services Center provides support for all students including professional development coaching to graduate students, with a particular focus on advising and programming for PhD students.
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS WITH DEPENDENTS
The mission of the PGCA is to:
Create a supportive campus environment for UC San Diego staff, faculty, students and university affiliates who are parents, guardians and/or caregivers.
Provide opportunities for networking, community building and informational exchange.
Host educational workshops, trainings and seminars to support the personal and professional growth of parents, guardians and caregivers at UC San Diego.
Full-time care is available at the Early Childhood Education Center for children 3 months to 5 years old. The program is open to the children of full-time UC San Diego students, faculty and staff, as well as a limited number of non-UC San Diego affiliates.
Mesa Housing's Family Friendly Study Lounge is available for UC San Diego student-parents, including non-residents of Mesa. The room includes a table and white board for studying, and comfortable spaces to gather, study, and socialize. It is also equipped with a collection of puzzles, toys, play tables, and books to entertain little ones of all ages.
Questions about the program or website? Official PhD program website: https://cogsci.ucsd.edu/graduates/index.html
Charmaine, M.A. (Graduate Advisor; cogsphd@ucsd.edu)
Akshay Nagarajan (Graduate Representative; anagaraj@ucsd.edu)
Quirine van Engen (Graduate Representative; quvaneng@ucsd.edu)