Research Opportunities

Contract Courses

The Department offers advanced junior and senior-level students the opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty members through individual studies and directed research, also known as Contract Courses. See university policies on Contract Courses here.

Students may seek out a faculty member whose work aligns with their goals and interests for the contract course and set up a meeting to discuss potential study plans. These plans can take many forms, dependent on agreement between the student and faculty member. Contract Courses are a flexible, personalized option for your undergraduate experience.

How to Get Started

Students who are interested in completing a Contract Course should:

  1. Identify the faculty member you would like to work with. The department’s faculty and their research areas can be found here. Please note that each faculty member is only allowed 7 contract courses per quarter.
  2. Ask the faculty member if they are available to serve as your mentor for a Contract Course. You can email them or approach them during their office hours to discuss the possibility and your research interests.
  3. Discuss the specific subject matter or research you will be focusing on, readings they can assign you, and the tangible evidence (i.e. a paper) that you will be submitting to them. This information will help you when creating the contract and also decide how often you will meet throughout the quarter.
  4. Then create the Contract Course through MyUCLA.
  5. Please note that Contract Courses must be taken for a letter grade and for 4 units to count toward your major.
How to Enroll in a Contract Course
  1. Log in to MyUCLA.
  2. Select “Classes” and then select “Contract Courses” which will be found under “Classes and Exams”.
  3. Choose the option to “Submit a New Contract”.
  4. Read through the instructions and begin to create the contract. You will select the term, the course, the instructor, the grading basis, and the number of units (if option is available). 
  5. Fill in the boxes shown with the appropriate information requested. (It is best to have discussed this information with the faculty mentor prior to creating the contract).
  6. Once completed, submit and print a copy of the contract.
  7. Ask your faculty mentor to sign and submit the signed contract to the Undergraduate Advisor. The deadline to submit contracts to the Undergraduate Advisor is Friday of the second week of the quarter at noon.
Department Contract Courses

Portuguese 197: Individual Studies in Portuguese

2-4 units. Tutorial, to be arranged. Individual intensive study, with scheduled meetings to be arranged between faculty member and student. Assigned reading and tangible evidence of mastery of subject matter required. 8 units of courses 197 and/or 199 may be applied toward major requirements. May be repeated for maximum of 8 units. Individual contract required. P/NP or letter grading.

Portuguese 199: Directed Research in Portuguese

2-4 units. Tutorial, to be arranged. Requisite: course 27. Limited to juniors/seniors. Supervised individual research under guidance of faculty mentor. Culminating paper required. 8 units of courses 197 and/or 199 may be applied toward major requirements. May be repeated for credit. Individual contract required. P/NP or letter grading.

Spanish 197: Individual Studies in Spanish

2-4 units. Tutorial, to be arranged. Limited to juniors/seniors. Individual intensive study, with scheduled meetings to be arranged between faculty member and student. Assigned reading and tangible evidence of mastery of subject matter required. 8 units of courses 197 and/or 199 may be applied toward major requirements. May be repeated for maximum of 8 units. Individual contract required. P/NP or letter grading.

Spanish 199: Directed Research in Spanish

2-4 units. Tutorial, to be arranged. Requisite: course 25. Limited to juniors/seniors. Supervised individual research under guidance of faculty mentor. Culminating paper required. 8 units of courses 197 and/or 199 may be applied toward major requirements. May be repeated for credit. Individual contract required. P/NP or letter grading.

Non-Departmental Research Opportunities

You can also find various research opportunities across campus depending on your interests and skills. These can be a way to explore research questions, make connections with mentors, and gain valuable experience. 

See an overview of UCLA’s undergraduate research initiatives here and visit the Undergraduate Research Center for resources, events, and information about opportunities. 

McNair Research Scholars

The UCLA McNair Research Scholars Program is a two-year research-based program that prepares undergraduate students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. to not only apply to but also excel in the best graduate school programs in the country.

Educators for Tomorrow 

Educators for Tomorrow (EFT) is a program designed for students who wish to pursue careers in educational research. EFT Scholars are guided by a graduate mentor in the process of developing a research project and applying to graduate programs in Education.