Special Elective

Special Electives are electives designed by you, sponsored by a UCLA faculty member, and approved by Dr. Neil Parker, the Senior Associated Dean of Student Affairs. Any deviation of an elective listed in the Handbook of Courses is considered a Special Elective.

• Final approval for Special Electives will rest with the chair of the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Dr. Neil Parker.
• UCLA vs. AWAY credit -- Special electives taken at UCLA or the affiliated hospitals and sponsored by a UCLA faculty member will be given UCLA elective credit.
• Non-UCLA Special Electives are permitted only under the sponsorship of a UCLA faculty member from the corresponding department in which you will be participating, e.g., Radiology research at UCSF must be sponsored by a UCLA faculty member in Radiology.
• Special Electives taken away from the UCLA hospital campuses will count as part of the 12 weeks allowed for AWAY electives.
• Special Electives may not count toward the six weeks of 300 or 400 level subinternships required for graduation.

Adding a Special Elective

1. Complete a Special Elective Form (preceptor's approval signature included).
2. Place it in Linda Cuesta’s mailbox in the Student Affairs Office at least one month prior to the start date of the elective for the Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Neil Parker’s approval signature.
3. If you have any questions, you may contact Linda Cuesta (310-206-0245, lcuest@mednet.ucla.edu) in the SAO on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.