Prospective Students

an illustration by Steven Noble of a cow on a bicycle

Welcome!

We are delighted that you are interested in joining us as a graduate student at the leading university center for sustainable transportation. The Transportation Technology and Policy (TTP) program takes an interdisciplinary approach that transcends the boundaries of traditional engineering schools. It provides students with an opportunity to research and address transportation challenges affecting the environment, the economy, and society from local to global scales.

Our TTP students have come from undergraduate majors as diverse as physics, economics, business, geography, anthropology, sociology, history, and English, as well as various engineering majors.

They have come from across the U.S. and from countries around the world, bringing a diversity of ideas, issues, cultures, and backgrounds. This diversity is one of the strengths of our program, as it fosters creativity and innovation.

The TTP curriculum allows flexibility in creating a course of study crossing traditional disciplinary boundaries. Students complete three core courses in Transportation Technology, Transportation Policy, and Data Science and choose one of three tracks in which to specialize: Vehicles & Fuels, Demand & Behavior, or Infrastructure & Operations. The program gives students the flexibility to develop high-level skills in disciplines of their choosing to best support their interests and career goals.

Dozens of faculty and researchers and over 50 graduate students contribute to the lively academic environment at TTP. Many of our students are actively engaged in funded research at the MS and PhD level, and fellowships are available each year for outstanding applicants.

The TTP degree gives students the tools and ability to pursue leadership roles in government, academia, NGOs, and industry.

Program Highlights

  • Internationally recognized, respected program
  • Students come from diverse academic backgrounds
  • Relevant learning experiences
  • Unique, flexible interdisciplinary approach

Research Focus Areas

  • Environmental Impacts of Transportation

  • Travel Demand Modeling

  • Land Use and Transportation Interactions

  • Adoption of Advanced Vehicle Technologies

  • Transportation Systems Analysis and Design

  • Sustainable Freight and Logistics

  • Transportation Economics

  • Transportation Planning and Policy

  • Automated, Electric, and Shared Mobility

  • Active Transportation and Micro-Mobility

TTP Application Deadlines

Admission to graduate studies requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Students are generally admitted for the fall quarter, but exceptional cases for off-cycle admission can be considered. The application deadlines for admissions are:

Priority Deadline: January 15

Applicants who submit their application to the graduate program by the Priority Deadline will receive priority review for admission and financial support. We strongly encourage applications for any form of financial aid by this date as well.

General Deadline: April 1

Applicants who apply by the General Deadline will have their application reviewed for admission by the graduate program. Applicants will not be given priority for financial support.

 

TTP Admission Criteria

  • Master’s degree applicants must have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) from the institution where you have earned or will earn your bachelor’s degree.

  • Doctoral applicants normally will have earned a minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent). Before applying, doctoral program applicants should contact faculty directly directly about whether they are accepting new students. Doctoral applicants are only admitted if a faculty member has agreed to work with the applicant.

TTP Application Process

ALL OF THE REQUIRED MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ADMISSION.

STEP 1: Apply Online

 

STEP 2: Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement and Diversity

The Personal History Statement provides an opportunity for applicants to tell the Admissions Committee something about their unique backgrounds and personal histories. It may include information about other pursuits and interests of the applicant. It may give some details about any obstacles or disadvantages the applicant had to overcome, or inspiration for their pursuit of a graduate degree.

STEP 3: Three Letters of Recommendation

The graduate application only accepts letters received electronically through our online application portal. Applicants are encouraged to submit professional letters of recommendation, but at least one letter should be from a professor who can assess your potential for advanced academic work. However, if a letter from a professor is not possible, it is permissible for employers, supervisors, co-workers and co-associates to write these letters. What is crucial is that you select individuals who can best discuss your academic strengths, as well as speak to your potential of successfully completing a graduate program.

STEP 4: Transcripts

Graduate Studies requires academic records from each institution you have attended or are currently attending.

STEP 5: English Language Testing Requirement

Questions? Contact the TTP Graduate Program Coordinator, JoAnna Lewis at jrlewis@ucdavis.edu.

Cost of Attendance

Graduate: Tuition & Fees