Areas of focus or “Advising Clusters” are groups of majors to help exploratory students identify potential majors at UC Santa Cruz. When applying to UCSC, applicants may identify an area of focus if they are not ready to identify a "proposed major."
Students are expected to move from an advising cluster to a “proposed major” by the end of the first year, and must be formally qualified for and declared in a major by the end of the sophomore year.
The links below summarize information about first quarter courses and initial placement, if applicable, for majors in each advising cluster. More complete information about the requirements for each major is in the UCSC General Catalog.
Students whose interests are focused in the visual and performing arts and media may choose to pursue UCSC majors in art, creative technologies, film and digital media, history of art and visual culture, music, theater arts, or art & design: games and playable media.
Varies depending on choice of major. Some majors in the visual and performing arts and media advising cluster contain sequential courses and require students to get started early in their career, while others may have more flexibility.
Major qualification requirements and prerequisite information can be found on each major’s catalog page.
If you are considering a major in arts and media, practice your craft regularly, engage with media and art, and build your portfolio.
In the first quarter, students enroll in their College Core class and two lower division courses (numbered 1-99) for a total of 15-19 credits.
For course recommendations, follow the getting started in the major guide for the most course intensive major on your list of considerations. Prioritize one major qualification course for each major of interest.
UCSC also offers the following minors:
Students with interests in business and economics may choose to pursue UCSC majors in economics, business management economics, global economics or a combined major in economics/mathematics.
Majors in the business and economics advising cluster tend to contain sequential courses. Students who intend to pursue majors within this cluster should begin taking classes for the major in their first year at UCSC.
Major qualification requirements and prerequisite information can be found on each major’s catalog page.
Complete the math preparation and placement process. You can review your math skills for free to prepare you for placement or your next course. It takes up to three business days for ALEKS PPL placement to be posted in your student record. Completing the assessment by early will ensure your placement is posted before enrollment begins for fall.
If you are considering the Global Economics major, you will need to complete the language placement examination to enroll in a language class beyond level 1 (you will need to complete a placement exam to enroll in Spanish 1) - more information is on the Languages and Applied Linguistics website. Please note that many level 1 language courses are offered only in fall.
In the first quarter, students enroll in their College Core class and two lower division courses (numbered 1-99) for a total of 15-19 credits.
For course recommendations, follow the getting started in the major guide for the most course intensive major on your list of considerations. Prioritize one major qualification course for each major of interest and appropriate math.
Students with an interest in education or in a teaching career may consider a variety of majors that will provide the academic background needed to enter the field of public school teaching, or to prepare for further study at the graduate level.
For those interested in teaching in elementary education (K-5), you may select any major. Typical majors include, but are not limited to, anthropology, psychology, sociology, history, and Latin American and Latino studies. Students interested in elementary teaching choose electives to increase their knowledge of the areas included in the California Content Standards (e.g. mathematics, language arts, social studies, humanities/fine arts, physical education, and science).
For those interested in teaching in secondary education (middle/ high school), selecting a major that supports your primary area of interest is necessary. For example, for those interested in teaching English, a major in literature is appropriate. For those interested in teaching the social sciences, a major in history, politics or economics is appropriate. For those interested in the sciences, majors such as biology, chemistry, physics, or environmental studies are advised.
Regardless of choice of major, many students interested in education opt to minor in education or STEM education.
Varies depending on choice of major. Students planning on pursuing single- or multi-subject teaching credentials can pursue a wide variety of majors at UCSC, while the majors/minors listed in the next section specifically focus on education.
Major qualification requirements and prerequisite information can be found on each major’s catalog page.
If you are considering a major that requires math, complete the math preparation and placement process. You can review your math skills for free to prepare you for placement or your next course. It takes up to three business days for ALEKS PPL placement to be posted in your student record. Completing the assessment early will ensure your placement is posted before enrollment begins for fall.
In the first quarter, students enroll in their College Core class and two lower division courses (numbered 1-99) for a total of 15 - 19 credits.
For course recommendations, follow the getting started in the major guide for the most course intensive major on your list of considerations. Prioritize one major qualification course for each major of interest and appropriate math, if you are interested in any majors that require math.
UCSC offers minors in:
For more information, visit:
If you are interested in a major in Engineering & Technology, please, see the information on the Baskin Engineering website to determine eligibility.
Students with interests in the environment may choose to pursue UCSC majors in agroecology, earth sciences, ecology and evolution, environmental science, environmental studies, global and community health BA, marine biology, plant sciences, or in combined majors between environmental studies and biology or economics.
Majors in the environmental science advising cluster tend to be course-intensive and contain sequential courses. Students who intend to pursue majors within this cluster should begin taking classes for the major in their first quarter if possible.
Major qualification requirements and prerequisite information can be found on each major’s catalog page.
If you are considering a major that requires math, complete the Math Preparation and placement process. You can review your math skills for free to prepare you for placement or your next course. It takes up to three business days for ALEKS PPL placement to be posted in your student record. Completing the assessment by early will ensure your placement is posted before enrollment begins for fall.
In the first quarter, students enroll in their College Core class and two lower division courses (numbered 1-99) for a total of 15-19 credits.
For course recommendations, follow the getting started in the major guide for the most course intensive major on your list of considerations. Prioritize one major qualification course for each major of interest and appropriate math.
UCSC also offers a minor in Sustainability Studies.
UC Santa Cruz offers a number of majors in the humanities. The following information is for majors in applied linguistics and multilingualism, literature, linguistics, language studies, and inter-disciplinary studies with a particular focus in a language: classical studies, Jewish studies, Latin American and Latino studies (language intensive concentration), or Spanish studies. Fundamental skills for these majors include critical reading skills and analytical writing abilities. Study of a language other than English is required for all majors in this cluster.
Varies depending upon choice of major within the advising cluster, and language proficiency at time of entry. See the language placement information in this guide for more information.
Major qualification requirements and prerequisite information can be found on each major’s catalog page.
Latin American and Latino Studies B.A. (language intensive)
Majors in this advising cluster require learning a language. You will need to complete the language placement examination to enroll in a language class beyond level 1 (you will need to complete a placement exam to enroll in Spanish 1) - more information is on the Language Placement website. Please note that many level 1 language courses are offered only in fall.
In the first quarter, students enroll in their College Core class and two lower division courses (numbered 1-99) for a total of 15-19 credits.
For course recommendations, follow the getting started in the major guide for the most course intensive major on your list of considerations. Prioritize one major qualification course for each major of interest.
An interest in humanities, or behavioral and social sciences can lead to a wide range of UCSC majors: classical studies, critical race and ethnic studies, feminist studies, history, history of art and visual culture, Jewish studies, language studies, Latin American and Latino studies, philosophy, and Spanish studies. Fundamental skills for these majors include critical reading skills and analytical writing abilities. Study of a language other than English is required for some majors in this cluster.
Majors in the Liberal Arts and Area Studies advising cluster are not highly sequential or course intensive. Generally, students are encouraged to take courses for these majors in their first year, but it is not required. Note that some majors in this advising cluster require learning a language, and depending upon your language proficiency at the time of entry, may require an early start. See the language placement information in this guide for more information.
Major qualification requirements and prerequisite information can be found on each major’s catalog page.
Some majors in this advising cluster require learning a language. You will need to complete the language placement examination to enroll in a language class beyond level 1 (you will need to complete a placement exam to enroll in Spanish 1) - more information is on the Language Placement website. Please note that many level 1 language courses are offered only in fall.
In the first quarter, students enroll in their College Core class and two lower division courses (numbered 1-99) for a total of 15-19 credits.
For course recommendations, follow the getting started in the major guide for the most course intensive major on your list of considerations. Prioritize one major qualification course for each major of interest.
UC Santa Cruz offers a wide range of majors focused on the life sciences. The following information is for majors in general biology, cognitive science, ecology and evolution, global and community health, marine biology, microbiology, molecular, cellular and developmental biology, neuroscience, plant sciences, and science education, biotechnology.
Majors in the Life and Health Sciences advising cluster tend to be course intensive and include sequential classes. It is generally important to get an early start in these majors.
Major qualification requirements and prerequisite information can be found on each major’s catalog page.
Complete the math preparation and placement process. You can review your math skills for free to prepare you for placement or your next course. It takes up to three business days for ALEKS PPL placement to be posted in your student record. Completing the assessment by early will ensure your placement is posted before enrollment begins for fall.
In the first quarter, students enroll in their College Core class and two lower division courses (numbered 1-99) for a total of 15-19 credits.
For course recommendations, follow the getting started in the major guide for the most course intensive major on your list of considerations. Prioritize one major qualification course for each major of interest and appropriate math.
Students with interests in science and math may pursue UCSC majors in chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, earth sciences, environmental sciences, mathematics, mathematics education or science education, and physics.
Majors in the Physical Sciences and Math advising cluster tend to be course intensive and include sequential classes. It is generally important to get an early start in these majors.
Major qualification requirements and prerequisite information can be found on each major’s catalog page.
Complete the math preparation and placement process. You can review your math skills for free to prepare you for placement or your next course. It takes up to three business days for ALEKS PPL placement to be posted in your student record. Completing the assessment by early will ensure your placement is posted before enrollment begins for fall.
In the first quarter, students enroll in their College Core class and two lower division courses (numbered 1-99) for a total of 15-19 credits.
For course recommendations, follow the getting started in the major guide for the most course intensive major on your list of considerations. Prioritize one major qualification course for each major of interest and appropriate math.
Students whose interests are focused in behavior and social sciences may choose to pursue UCSC majors in anthropology, cognitive science, community studies, critical race and ethnic studies, feminist studies, global and community health BA, language studies, Latin American and Latino studies, a combined major in Latin American and Latino Studies/Education, Democracy & Justice, legal studies, linguistics, politics, psychology or sociology.
Varies depending on choice of major within this advising cluster.
Major qualification requirements and prerequisite information can be found on each major’s catalog page.
If you are considering a major that requires math, complete the math preparation and placement process. You can review your math skills for free to prepare you for placement or your next course. It takes up to three business days for ALEKS PPL placement to be posted in your student record. Completing the assessment early will ensure your placement is posted before enrollment begins for fall.
If you are considering a major that requires learning a language, you will need to complete the language placement examination to enroll in a language class beyond level 1 (you will need to complete a placement exam to enroll in Spanish 1) - more information is on the Language Placement website. Please note that many level 1 language courses are offered only in fall.
In the first quarter, students enroll in their College Core class and two lower division courses (numbered 1-99) for a total of 15-19 credits.
For course recommendations, follow the getting started in the major guide for the most course intensive major on your list of considerations. Prioritize one major qualification course for each major of interest and appropriate math, if you are interested in any majors that require math.