Graduate programs at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) started as early as 1913 under the College of Agriculture. One graduate student of the College was awarded the degree of Master of Science in Agricultural Chemistry during that year. Graduate studies in the University of the Philippines was then supervised by the University Graduate Committee which administered the graduate programs of all the units of the University.

Realizing the need for more adequate instruction on the graduate level, the Board of Regents established the University Graduate School headed by the Dean on October 26, 1950. Under this set-up, the U.P. Graduate School administered the graduate program at Los Baños through a Sub-Committee for the Los Baños unit. The Dean of the College of Agriculture was the ex-officio chairman of this sub-committee. Within the next few years, the curricular offerings at Los Baños continued to expand and enrollment increased. To cope with the expansion, the Office of the Director of Graduate Studies was created in January 1970.

The field of higher education took a higher step on November 20, 1972 when Presidential Decree No. 58 was issued. This decree authorized the U.P. Board of Regents to establish a University of the Philippines System, including an autonomous University of the Philippines at Los Baños. Consequently, a full pledged and distinct UPLB Graduate School was established on December 21, 1972.

Graduate Studies at UPLB aim to develop the ability of students for critical inquiry and independent research towards the advancement of knowledge as well as to develop professional leadership. Besides paving the way to specialization in selected fields, graduate work is designed to encourage independent work and to promote research. Graduate students, therefore, are admitted to candidacy for a degree only after demonstrating distinct ability in graduate work.

The UPLB Graduate School integrates and administers graduate programs in agriculture, forestry, the basic sciences (e.g. biology and chemistry), mathematics and statistics, development economics and management, agrarian studies and human ecology. It also caters to the increasing demands for graduate offering in other disciplines like agricultural engineering, land and water resources engineering and agrometeorology. Graduate programs in food science and technology, food and nutrition planning and veterinary medicine are likewise offered. The graduate programs cover a wider array of specialization. However, the main thrust of the Graduate School offering is still in the agricultural and closely allied fields of specialization for it is these areas where the UPLB faculty is particularly strong and physical resources are adequate.

The UPLB graduate programs lead to any of the following degrees:
• Master of Agriculture (MAgr)
• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master in Communication Arts (MCA)
• Master of Forestry (MF)
• Master of Information Technology (MIT)
• Master of Management (MM)
• Master of Professional Studies (MPS)
• Master in Public Affairs (MPAf)
• Master of Science (MS)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
o Regular PhD
o Straight PhD
o PhD by Research