UC Santa Cruz Psychology Programs

The Psychology Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz serves as a hub for studying psychological processes in practical contexts. The department, 58 years old, started when UC Santa Cruz opened in 1965 and has grown into a prestigious academic unit within the university’s Social Sciences Division.

Scientists at UCSC Psychology Department examine the mind, mental processes, and human behavior. Their research spans from brain function to childhood development and how identity shapes group dynamics of belonging and exclusion. The department’s unique strength lies in its dedication to understanding psychological processes’ connection with physical, social, and cultural environments. This approach leads to research that surpasses traditional boundaries between social sciences, natural sciences, arts, and humanities.

The department’s pioneering faculty members, including M. Brewster Smith, Ted Sarbin, Bill Domhoff, and Bert Kaplan, emphasized psychology’s role in real-life contexts to develop a socially relevant discipline. The department started with two graduate areas—experimental and social/personality psychology. Students first enrolled in 1969, and the department awarded its first Ph.D. in 1972. A developmental psychology program joined the curriculum in 1989.

The department united in the Social Sciences 2 building and combined its three graduate areas into an integrated program in 1995. Faculty recruitment strengthened existing research areas rather than filling gaps across broad fields. This strategy created a cohesive department with distinctive expertise in cognitive, developmental, and social psychology.

Faculty members have become influential intellectual leaders with highly cited research publications. Many professors have earned UC Santa Cruz’s competitive Academic Senate Excellence in Teaching Award or the Social Science Division’s Golden Apple Teaching Award. Ladder faculty teach almost all required courses in the major, including large simple courses in introductory psychology, research methods, and statistics—a rare practice among major research universities.

Students and faculty collaborate in a dynamic research environment. Their work generates fresh perspectives on cognition, perception, memory, language, human-computer interaction, informal learning, student success, personal and social identities, gender and sexuality, racism, sexism, and classism.

Programs offered

UC Santa Cruz Psychology Department provides detailed undergraduate and graduate programs that promote deep understanding of human behavior and cognition. Students can choose between two distinct undergraduate degrees and a specialized doctoral program.

Students pursuing undergraduate studies can earn either a Psychology Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Cognitive Science Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. The Psychology B.A. program introduces psychological theory and scientific research through foundational courses. Students start with introductory psychology, precalculus, statistics, and developmental psychology. They then advance to upper-division courses in research methods and specialized areas.

The Psychology B.A. program features two tracks: general psychology major and intensive psychology major. The general track builds core knowledge that prepares students to work in counseling, social work, teaching, community services, research, human resources, and advocacy. Students planning to attend graduate school often choose the intensive psychology track. This challenging option includes extra upper-division research methods courses and requires independent study through a two-quarter field study or research experience.

The Cognitive Science B.S. program gets into how human cognition works by combining everything in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, anthropology, linguistics, biology, philosophy, and computer science. This cross-disciplinary degree prepares students to work in technology industries with focus on human-computer interaction, user experience research, and health fields related to treating brain disorders.

The Psychology Ph.D. program offers specializations in cognitive, developmental, and social psychology. Students develop skills in independent research and critical evaluation of research literature. These skills prepare them to take on research, teaching, and administrative roles in colleges, universities, schools, government, and other institutions. The program requires full-time enrollment. While it doesn’t accept master’s degree applicants directly, Ph.D. students can get a master’s degree by meeting specific requirements.

The department doesn’t offer courses, training, or supervision in clinical psychology or counseling psychology at any level. Students can enhance their learning through many experiential opportunities that include research internships, field studies, senior thesis projects, and study abroad options.

Online options

UCSC’s main teaching approach remains in-person instruction, but the psychology department gives students options to learn and research remotely when they need flexibility. Students who can’t make it to campus-based classes have some great alternatives through online programs.

You can get psychology degrees at different levels online, from associate’s to doctoral programs. The psychology department has moved back to in-person classes post-pandemic. The winter quarter plans show all courses will be on campus.

Even as campus learning becomes more common, you can still find many research opportunities online. UC Santa Cruz’s Undergraduate Research Database helps you find research options that match your interests.

Several well-known research programs let you work remotely:

• The UCSC Blum Scholars program makes shared undergraduate and graduate research possible for community projects in the US and abroad
• The UCSC Building Belonging program pays you to research with Social Sciences faculty mentors
• The Center to Advance Mentored, Inquiry-based Opportunities (CAMINO) summer research internships
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs

Students who work while studying can choose part-time enrollment after fall quarter. Your employer’s letter confirming your work hours might qualify you for reduced tuition. This option gives you more time to graduate while you keep moving toward your degree.

Part-time status mostly changes your tuition costs, but doesn’t affect your living expense aid much. The financial aid office can tell you exactly how part-time enrollment would change your aid package.

Accreditation

UCSC’s psychology programs rely on accreditation credentials as quality standards. The University of California, Santa Cruz has managed to keep full accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 1965. This recognition shows UCSC’s consistent achievement in meeting quality, capacity, and effectiveness standards.

The university’s reaccreditation review is now underway. An off-site evaluation will take place in May 2025, followed by an on-site visit in October 2025. The university will submit its Institutional Report in March 2025, following the 2023 Handbook of Accreditation standards. UCSC last received reaffirmation of its accreditation in 2016 after completing a detailed self-study.

Graduate psychology education receives assessment from several accreditation bodies. The American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA) oversees doctoral degrees, doctoral-level internships, and postdoctoral programs. UCSC’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) internship has earned APA accreditation.

Students in psychology programs gain these key benefits from accreditation:

• Federal financial aid, grants, and scholarship eligibility
• Easy credit transfer between schools
• Better chances for graduate program admission
• Meeting requirements for psychology licensure
• More job opportunities after graduating

UCSC Psychology’s chapter of Psi Chi adds another layer of distinction. This International Honor Society in Psychology, established in 1929, connects over 1,000 colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. Psi Chi’s main goal combines academic excellence recognition with professional development through creative growth.

These accreditation credentials matter significantly if you plan to study psychology at UCSC. Most state licensing boards require degrees from accredited psychology programs for professional practice. Employers also value credentials from accredited institutions more highly when they assess job candidates.

Admission Requirements

UCSC psychology programs have selective admission standards that need specific academic achievements. Students must declare their major within set timeframes. First-year students should do this by their sixth quarter, while transfer students must complete it by their second quarter at UCSC.

Transfer students need solid preparation for psychology majors. The spring term before fall admission requires completion of these prerequisite courses:

• Introduction to Psychology with a minimum grade of B- (2.7)
• Statistics course with a minimum grade of B- (2.7)
• Mathematics (Precalculus or higher) with a minimum grade of C (2.0)

Students who receive a C (2.0) or C+ (2.3) in equivalent psychology courses elsewhere must get at least a B- (2.7) in a course that lines up with UCSC’s PSYC 10 or PSYC 20.

The department recommends completing Introduction to Developmental Psychology and Cognition: Fundamental Theories courses before transfer, though these aren’t required.

The admission scene is competitive for freshmen applicants, as UCSC’s overall admit rate stands at 51.5%. Strong candidates typically show high school GPAs between 3.76 and 4.16, along with SAT scores ranging from 1200-1450 (590-690 Evidence Based Reading & Writing, 610-760 Mathematics).

The department takes a comprehensive look at Ph.D. candidates without requiring GRE scores. Each specialty area has its own expectations:

• Cognitive Area: Most successful candidates have psychology degrees, though related fields get consideration
• Developmental Area: Candidates need psychology or related discipline background with courses in general psychology, developmental psychology, and statistics
• Social Area: Broad undergraduate psychology training is preferred, though interdisciplinary backgrounds are welcome

Doctoral applicants must submit:

• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Resume
• Statement of purpose (2-4 pages) describing research interests
• Personal history statement (1-3 pages) about how your background shapes your graduate education goals

The graduate admissions committee looks at transcripts, research experience, statements, and recommendation letters. They seek candidates whose interests match departmental research opportunities. The selection process values candidates from diverse backgrounds who can enhance existing program strengths.

Tuition

Getting a psychology degree at UC Santa Cruz comes with significant financial commitments. Right now, California residents pay $16,503 in tuition while out-of-state students pay $54,105. These amounts are higher than what students typically pay nationwide, where in-state tuition averages $12,422 and out-of-state costs run about $29,909.

The total cost goes beyond just tuition. California residents should expect to pay $40,353, while out-of-state students face a total of $74,553. These numbers cover everything from housing and food to books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.

Students entering in 2025-26 will see different costs than those continuing their studies. New California residents living on campus will pay about $46,296 per year, with $16,785 going to tuition and fees. The breakdown shows $20,928 for living costs, $1,257 for books and supplies, $1,152 for transportation, $2,418 for personal costs, and $3,756 for health insurance.

Non-resident students need to add $37,602 in extra tuition, which brings their total to $83,898 for on-campus living. Students who started in 2024-25 pay less under UC’s Tuition Stability Plan, with California residents paying $16,089 in tuition and fees.

Where you live affects your total costs. In-state students pay $46,296 for on-campus housing, $47,430 for off-campus living, or $36,552 if they commute. Non-resident students see similar variations in their costs.

Most students actually pay less than these listed prices thanks to financial aid. UC Santa Cruz’s average net price after aid is $12,703 for in-state and $60,453 for out-of-state students who receive need-based help. Your family’s income plays a big role – students from families earning under $30,000 pay around $9,472, while those from households making over $110,000 typically pay $32,674.

UC Santa Cruz puts $385 million yearly toward making education more affordable. Psychology students can get help through various scholarships from both their department and the university’s financial aid office.

The UC Tuition Stability Plan shows the university’s dedication to helping students and families plan ahead by keeping tuition costs steady and predictable.

Additional Information

Psychology students at UCSC need to look beyond their degree requirements to see what happens after graduation. Statistics show that 77% of psychology graduates plan to continue their education. Most of these students (85%) want to get either a master’s degree or PhD. More than half specifically choose psychology-related graduate programs.

The job market looks promising for these graduates. Nearly half find jobs within 6 months after finishing their degree. Business and education sectors hire the most graduates, at 35% and 33% respectively. Recent graduates’ salaries start at $31,320 or higher for half of the class within their first six months.

Students who plan have better chances of success. About 42% of psychology graduates start looking for jobs three months before graduation. This strategy pays off – 40% of working graduates receive multiple job offers. Internships play a key role in success. More than 62% of psychology students complete at least one internship during their time at UCSC.

California remains home to most UCSC psychology graduates. 70% plan to work locally in the Santa Cruz or San Francisco Bay Area. These students join a thriving community of over 160,000 former Slugs, with more than 111,000 working across California.

UCSC supports its students through various services. The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers therapy, group counseling, psychiatry, and round-the-clock crisis care. Students can also access the Basic Needs team, Campus Mobile Crisis Team, and several equity and access programs that help them succeed academically.