Overview

At Community Studies from University of California, Santa Cruz students complete topical courses and a core curriculum enabling them to identify, analyze, and help construct sites for social justice movements, nonprofit sector advocacy, public policy making, and social enterprise. Off campus, students spend six months participating in and analyzing the work of a social justice organization. This intensive immersion is a distinguishing feature of the community studies major.

With the guidance of faculty and staff advisers, community studies students pursue field studies related to the program’s focus on health justice and economic justice.

Careers

Community development

Affordable housing

Community organizing

Economics

Education

Journalism

Labor organizing

Medicine

Mental health

Non-profit advocacy

Nursing

Public administration

Public health

Social entrepreneurship

Social work

Sociology

Urban planning

Programme Structure

Courses included:

Psychology & Law

Gender and Education

Psychology & Law

Sociology of Law

Global Health Politics

Psychology of Poverty & Social Class

Sociology of Drugs, Botanicals & Pharmaceuticals

International Law & Global Justice

Media, Marketing & Culture

Activist Art Since 1960: Art, Technology, Activism

Sociology of Science and Technology

Environmental Inequality

Media & Social Movements

Numbers and Social Justice

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-01-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-07-31 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2026-03-31 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-10-31 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2026-09-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-11-30 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

6.5

Free IELTS Mock Tests!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

Check IELTS test dates and locations. Book an IELTS test now!

Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Area & Cultural Studies Community Development View 1011 other Bachelors in Area & Cultural Studies in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GPA

3.4

English requirements

IELTS

6.5

Free IELTS Mock Tests!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

Check IELTS test dates and locations. Book an IELTS test now!

Other requirements

General requirements

You must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.00 in the "a–g" courses.

Non-residents must earn a minimum GPA of 3.40.

Take the ACT Plus Writing or the SAT with Essay

The ACT Assessment plus the ACT Writing Test or the SAT with critical reading, mathematics, and writing scores from the same sitting.

Proof of English Proficiency

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of California, Santa Cruz and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

50244 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 50244 USD per year during 48 months.
National

50244 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 50244 USD per year during 48 months.
In-State

16044 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 16044 USD per year during 48 months.

Living costs for Santa Cruz

1710 - 2560 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Community Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About