Program Overview

Marine Biodiversity & Conservation Program

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Marine Biodiversity & Conservation Program is a full-time, 12-month program that starts in the summer.

Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost of attendance for this program is based on four terms, with half-time enrollment in summer and full-time enrollment during the academic year as a graduate/professional student.

• Direct Costs:
  • Summer and Academic Year Tuition and Fees: $44,522
    • UC Per Unit Program Summer Costs: $13,376
    • UC San Diego Campus-based Summer Fees: $307
    • UC Per Unit Program Academic Year Costs: $28,424
    • UC Systemwide Student Services Fees: $1,290
    • UC San Diego Campus-based Fees: $1,125
• Living Expenses:
  • Food & Housing for students without dependents: $38,518
• Indirect Costs:
  • Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment: $886
  • Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: $3,131
  • Transportation Expenses: $4,853
  • UC San Diego Graduate Student Health Insurance Fee (may be waived if covered by private insurance that is equivalent or better): $7,296

The total basic cost of attendance for CA and Non-California Residents is $99,206.

Quarterly Breakdown of Tuition and Fees

The quarterly breakdown of tuition and fees is as follows:

• Summer 2025:
  • UC San Diego Systemwide Tuition and Fees: $13,376
  • UC Systemwide Student Services Fee: $0
  • UC San Diego Campus-based Fees: $307
  • UC San Diego Graduate Student Health Insurance Fee (may be waived if covered by private insurance that is equivalent or better): $1,476
  • Food & Housing for students without dependents: $8,254
  • Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment: $190
  • Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: $671
  • Transportation Expenses: $1,040
  • Total: $25,314
• Fall 2025:
  • UC San Diego Systemwide Tuition and Fees: $11,704
  • UC Systemwide Student Services Fee: $430
  • UC San Diego Campus-based Fees: $375
  • UC San Diego Graduate Student Health Insurance Fee (may be waived if covered by private insurance that is equivalent or better): $1,940
  • Food & Housing for students without dependents: $10,088
  • Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment: $232
  • Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: $820
  • Transportation Expenses: $1,271
  • Total: $26,860
• Winter 2026:
  • UC San Diego Systemwide Tuition and Fees: $11,704
  • UC Systemwide Student Services Fee: $430
  • UC San Diego Campus-based Fees: $375
  • UC San Diego Graduate Student Health Insurance Fee (may be waived if covered by private insurance that is equivalent or better): $1,940
  • Food & Housing for students without dependents: $10,088
  • Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment: $232
  • Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: $820
  • Transportation Expenses: $1,271
  • Total: $26,860
• Spring 2026:
  • UC San Diego Systemwide Tuition and Fees: $5,016
  • UC Systemwide Student Services Fee: $430
  • UC San Diego Campus-based Fees: $375
  • UC San Diego Graduate Student Health Insurance Fee (may be waived if covered by private insurance that is equivalent or better): $1,940
  • Food & Housing for students without dependents: $10,088
  • Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment: $232
  • Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: $820
  • Transportation Expenses: $1,271
  • Total: $20,172

Notes

1. The Cost of Attendance (COA) does not include the one-time Document fee of $100. COA and award packages are automatically adjusted for incoming students.
2. The Cost of Attendance (COA) includes the annual UC San Diego Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) of $5,820 and as part of the UC San Diego Graduate Student Health Insurance Early Start Plan, the Summer premium is $1,426.
3. Non-California Resident and international students are not charged a Non-California Resident Supplemental Tuition cost. Non-California Residents and California Residents will be considered for Federal Direct Loans only. International students will also be billed a one-time International Student Visa Administration fee of $150.
4. The SIO MAS-MBC California and Non-California Resident Basic Budget Total is $99,206. Students enrolled in the SIO MAS-MBC program are not charged Non-California Resident Supplemental Tuition.
5. The SIO MAS-MBC Program California and Non-California Basic Budget Total is based on the criteria in footnote #7.
6. The Cost of Attendance (COA) above is based on a student living off-campus. A student living on-campus will have a different COA and can refer to the graduate student cost of attendance budgets for the various components and costs.
7. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Marine Biodiversity & Conservation Program (Full-Time, 12-Month, Summer Start) new students entering Summer 2025 pay $836 per credit unit. Summer term is based on 16 credit units taken. The academic year is based on 14 credit units Fall term, 14 credit units Winter term, and 6 credit units Spring term. Actual units taken may vary based on each student's enrollment. The SIO MAS-MBC Program requires 50 completed credit units.

Financial Assistance Information

• Students may submit a Special Circumstance-Cost of Attendance Appeal with appropriate documentation for rent and utilities, transportation costs, computer purchases and/or increased books and supplies.
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Students who are unable to complete the FAFSA and/or California Dream Act Application or who are enrolled in less than half-time (6 units), may be able to apply for a private loan.

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