BA Legal Studies at University of California, Santa Cruz

Programme overview

Legal Studies (LGST) is an interdisciplinary, liberal arts major focused on legal ideas, institutions, and issues in and beyond the U.S. Our courses introduce students to the integral roles of law in social life, including its complex relation to values and shifting views of justice, rights, liberty, equality, citizenship, and authority; to culture and social practices; and to historical, political, and economic forces and institutions.

Faculty: Social Sciences Division | Department: Politics | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Cruz, CA, United States

What you will study

Required courses listed in the catalogue include Elementary Logic, Introductory Symbolic Logic, Introduction to Ethical Theory, Introduction to Ethics: Contemporary Moral Issues, Business Ethics, Introduction to Legal Process.

Career pathways

The legal studies major provides a broad academic platform from which students can pursue many different career paths and/or advanced studies.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Catalogue preparation guidance for the major (admission to the university is separate): Students may declare the legal studies major after completing LGST 10, Introduction to the Legal Process, with a grade of C/P or better. Students will ideally have completed the remaining lower-division requirements before declaring the major.

Domestic applicants: USD 14,202 a year (2026-27). UC undergraduate Tuition for California residents first enrolled in 2026-27 (Tuition Stability Plan cohort rate); one rate for all undergraduate majors. Excludes Student Services Fee, campus fees, UC SHIP health insurance and records fee. Non-residents ad Source

Fall quarter entry (classes for fall 2026 began September 24, 2026); winter quarter entry (winter 2027 instruction begins January 4, 2027).

UC Application for fall 2027 opens October 1, 2026 and the filing deadline is November 30, 2026; the application is available online from August 1, 2026. Fall 2027 first-year decisions appear on the Admissions Portal late February to mid-March 2027; transfer decisions April 1-30, 2027. Transfer Academic Update due January 31, 2027; UCSC TAG filing period September 1-30, 2026.

UC Santa Cruz does not use ACT/SAT scores in its comprehensive review and selection process. Applications are made through the UC Application. Minimum GPA is 3.00 for California residents and 3.40 for non-residents and international applicants.

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