- Behavioral & Social Sciences
- B.A.
- Undergraduate Minor
- Social Sciences
- Politics
Program Overview
Legal Studies is an interdisciplinary program. Students learn to use the methods and perspectives of various academic disciplines to study legal issues. They also use the conceptual framework of the law to illuminate empirical and theoretical concerns in the various disciplines. The major is not designed as a substitute or preparation for any part of a law school curriculum. It is a full and interdisciplinary field of study within the liberal arts curriculum.
Learning Experience
Study and Research Opportunities
- B.A. or undergraduate minor
- Off-campus and study abroad programs
- UCDC Program in Washington, D.C. Spend a quarter at the UC campus in Washington D.C., study and gain experience in an internship.
- UC Sacramento Center. Spend a quarter at the UC Center in Sacramento, study and gain experience in an internship.
- UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP). Spend a term or year studying overseas.
- Service-learning and internships. Academic credit is available for internship and field study work through the Legal Studies Program with the sponsorship of a legal studies faculty member.
First-Year (Freshman) Requirements
No specific courses at the high school level are required for admission to the major in legal studies at UC Santa Cruz. Courses in history, literature, philosophy, and the social sciences, whether taken at the high school or college level, are appropriate background and preparation for the legal studies major.
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Transfer Requirements
This is a non-screening major. Transfer students will find it helpful to complete college courses that satisfy campus general education requirements before coming to UC Santa Cruz. Courses from another institution may be considered for the legal studies major only if they appear on the student’s transfer credit list on the MyUCSC portal. Students are allowed to substitute only one philosophy course in logic or ethics taken elsewhere to satisfy a legal studies major lower-division requirement. Students should discuss the procedure with the department adviser.
Internships and Career Opportunities
Students graduating from UC Santa Cruz with a major in legal studies are well prepared in critical thinking and writing, enabling them to go on to graduate or professional school in a variety of liberal arts or professional fields, and subsequently into academic or professional careers in such fields as business, education, journalism, law, public policy, public finance, social work, and urban planning.