Legal Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies at the University of California offers students a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles and institutions of the legal system in the United States. This program is designed to provide a broad understanding of law, emphasizing critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to interpret legal rules and concepts. Throughout the coursework, students explore a variety of topics including constitutional law, criminal law, civil rights, legal research and writing, and the functioning of courts and legal processes. The program aims to prepare students for a range of career paths, including law enforcement, public policy, legal assistant roles, or further legal education. Faculty members are experts in their fields, providing students with both theoretical knowledge and practical insights into the legal landscape. Students are encouraged to engage actively with case studies, legal texts, and current issues affecting society and the justice system. In addition to classroom instruction, the program offers internships, workshops, and seminars to facilitate experiential learning and professional development. The curriculum emphasizes ethical considerations and the importance of justice and equity, fostering a sense of social responsibility. Graduates of the Legal Studies program acquire valuable skills that are applicable in various sectors such as government agencies, non-profit organizations, private firms, and academia. The program also serves as an excellent foundation for students planning to pursue law school or other advanced degrees in related fields. With a diverse faculty and an inclusive learning environment, the University of California prepares students to become informed, responsible, and effective contributors to the legal community and society at large.

Lower-Division Course Requirements—2 courses

• Legal Studies 10, Introduction to Legal Process. All students are required to complete and pass Legal Studies 10 prior to declaring the major.
• Philosophy 9, 22, or 24. All legal studies majors are required to take one of the three listed
• Philosophy courses. 

Upper-Division Course Requirements—2 courses

• 111A, Constitutional Law or 111B, Civil Liberties
• and 160B International Law

Core Course Requirements—6 courses

Students are required to take six core courses, two in each of three concentrations: theory, public law and institutions, and law and society.

Theory

• 103 Feminist Interventions (Politics course)
• 105A Ancient Political Thought
• 105B Early Modern Political Thought
• 105C Modern Political Thought
• 106 Marxism as a Method
• 107 Political Morality of Survivorship and Recovery
• 109 Legal Theory
• 109 Orientalism (Politics course)
• 115 Law and the Holocaust
• 128J The World Jury on Trial
• 144 Social and Political Philosophy
• 146 Philosophy of Law
• 155 Topics in American Legal History
• 157 Political Jurisprudence

Public Law and Institutions

• 111A Constitutional Law
• 111C Issues in Constitutional Law
• 115 Law and the Holocaust
• 116 Comparative Law
• 120A Congress, President, and the Court in American Politics
• 120C State and Capitalism in American Political Development
• 125 History of U.S. Penal Law
• 128 Poverty and Public Policy
• 128J The World Jury on Trial
• 128M International Law and Global Justice
• 131 Wildlife, Wilderness, and the Law
• 132 California Water Law and Policy
• 133 Law of Democracy
• 134 Congress: Representation and Legislation in Comparative Perspective
• 135 Native Peoples Law
• 136 Federal Indian Law and Tribal Sovereignty
• 137 International Environmental Law and Policy
• 139 War Crimes
• 149 Environmental Law and Policy
• 152 Courts and Litigation
• 155 Topics in American Legal History
• 156 Administrative Jurisprudence
• 159 Property and the Law
• 167 Politics of International Trade
• 171 Law of War
• 175 Human Rights

Law and Society

• 107 Political Morality of Survivorship and Recovery
• 110 Law and Social Issues
• 111B Civil Liberties
• 112 Women and the Law (Politics)
• 113 Gay Rights and the Law
• 114 Jews, Anti-Semitism, and the American Legal System
• 120B Society and Democracy in American Political Development
• 120C State and Capitalism in American Political Development
• 121 Black Politics and Federal Social Policy
• 122 The Sociology of Law
• 123 Law, Crime, and Social Justice
• 126 Law and Politics in Contemporary Japan and East Asian Societies
• 128I Race and Criminal Justice
• 127 Drugs and Society
• 135 Native Peoples Law
• 138 Political Anthropology
• 142 Anthropology of Law
• 147A Psychology and Law
• 147B Psychology and Law
• 150 Children and the Law
• 151 Politics of Law
• 154 The Legal Profession
• 155 Topics in American Legal History
• 160A Industrial Organization
• 162 Legal Environment of Business
• 169 Economic Analysis of the Law
• 180 Power, Politics, and Protest
• 183 Women in the Economy

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement. The DC Requirement in legal studies is satisfied by completing one of the following three paths:

1. Completion of Legal Studies 111A and Legal Studies 160B or
2. Completion of Legal Studies 196 or
3. Completion of a senior thesis, Legal Studies 195A, B, C.

Comprehensive Requirement—1 course

Students can satisfy the comprehensive requirement in the legal studies major by successfully completing one of the following:

Senior Thesis (2-3 quarters). Completion of a senior thesis (Legal Studies 195A-B-C) of a minimum of 50 pages with a substantial research content, supervised by a legal studies faculty member.

Senior Capstone. The capstone (Legal Studies 196) is designed to provide an interdisciplinary integration of themes related to the study of law and includes a substantial writing requirement.

Honors

Honors in the legal studies major are awarded to graduating seniors, based primarily on a review of grades, whose academic performance is judged to be consistently excellent by a faculty committee. Highest honors in the major are reserved for students with consistently outstanding academic performance.

Requirements

• To be considered for admission to UC Santa Cruz, international students must be on track to complete secondary school with superior grades/marks in academic subjects and to earn a certificate of completion that enables the student to be admitted to a university in their home country. 
• Reporting Foreign Course Work on the Application: When you apply to UC Santa Cruz, you must report ALL foreign course work as it would appear on your foreign academic record. You should not convert the grading system of your home country to U.S. grades or use an evaluation done by an agency. If your grades/marks appear as numbers, words, or percentages, please report them as such on your UC application. Each UC campus has an International Admissions Specialist who will thoroughly evaluate your international records.
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Overall band score of 6.5 or higher*
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test or 80 on the Internet-based test
• SAT Writing Exam: 560 or higher

Test Requirements

All freshman applicants are expected to submit scores from one of the following tests. Even if the test is not offered in your country, we expect it:

• The ACT Assessment plus the ACT Writing Test  

--OR—

• The SAT with critical reading, mathematics, and writing scores from the same sitting. 

*Note: We no longer require SAT Subject exams. (We will still review these exam scores if applicants choose to send them to us, however, and certain SAT Subject exams may be recommended for some majors.)

SAT Subject exams accepted by UC:

• English (literature) 
• History/social studies
• Mathematics (Level 2 only; Level 1 is not accepted by the UC)
• Science
• Languages (Other than English)

Please note: In order for your test scores to be available in time for our review, all tests must be taken by December of the year before you plan to enroll.

Scholarships

To qualify for Federal, State, or University funding you must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen and you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid is not available for students with F1 or F2 Student Visas, J1 or J2 Exchange Visitor Visas, or G Series Visas.

Undergraduate Dean’s Scholarships and Awards

This award recognizes the academic achievement of non-resident students. Entering non-resident students will be considered for the Undergraduate Dean's Scholarships and Awards ranging from $12,000 to $40,000 (for freshmen) or $6,000 to $20,000 (for transfers), depending upon several factors from your admissions application. The award is intended to offset non-resident tuition and will be discontinued if the student becomes a California resident.

The University of California offers a comprehensive Legal Studies program designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the principles and practices of law. This program is typically available at various campuses within the UC system, such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC Davis, each offering unique courses and specializations to cater to diverse student interests. The curriculum generally covers key areas including constitutional law, criminal law, civil rights, contracts, torts, property law, and legal ethics, ensuring students acquire a well-rounded understanding of the legal system in the United States.

Students in the program have opportunities for experiential learning through clinics, internships, and externships with law firms, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. These practical experiences help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications, preparing graduates for careers in law, public policy, business, or further graduate study in law schools or related fields. The program emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, ethical considerations, and an understanding of the societal impacts of legal decisions.

Faculty members are often distinguished scholars and practitioners who bring a wealth of real-world experience and academic expertise. The university also offers workshops, seminars, and guest lectures from leading legal professionals to enhance the educational experience. Many programs also include specialized tracks or concentrations, such as environmental law, criminal justice, or human rights, allowing students to tailor their education according to their career goals.

Regarding career prospects, graduates of the Legal Studies program often pursue positions in law enforcement, legal consulting, legislative advocacy, or continue their education by applying to ABA-accredited law schools. The university provides career counseling, networking opportunities, and resources to assist students in navigating their professional pathways. Overall, the program aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding necessary for impactful careers in law and related fields.