Field and Exchange Programs

The Economics Field Study Program (ECON 193/193F) allows students to integrate academic theory with hands-on work experience while earning academic credit and satisfying their service learning (PR-S) general education requirement. Students secure field study internships with a local community business or organization, and are trained and supervised by a professional in a business setting. An economics faculty member sponsors each student's field placement, providing guidance and encouraging them to blend the knowledge acquired in economics courses with the training they receive in the field placement. Students have completed projects in marketing, financial analysis, data analysis, accounting, human resources, and international trade. They have conducted research on issues involving monetary trends, public policy, and the problems of small businesses.

The program is open to junior and senior declared economics majors in good standing. Students must prepare for field study a quarter in advance, in consultation with the field studies program coordinator. For further information, see our webpage (link above) and contact the Economics Field Studies Program Coordinator via econintern@ucsc.edu.

Open to all UC Santa Cruz students, the Environmental Studies Internship Program is an integral academic component of the environmental studies major, and it augments the research and professional development of undergraduate and graduate students (see Environmental Studies Major Page). Placements include interning with faculty, graduate students, and partner research institutes locally, statewide, and internationally. Students can complete a senior project, and often find future employment with the agency where they interned. Many students complete two to four internships, completing undergraduate careers with not only career-building experiences but significant professional contacts and impressive resumes as well.

Further information is available from the Environmental Studies Internship Program Office, 491 Interdisciplinary Sciences Building, (831) 459-2104, esintern@ucsc.edu, envs.ucsc.edu/internships.

Global Engagement (GE) is the hub of responsibility and leadership for Global Learning at the UC Santa Cruz campus. We provide advising services and guidance to students seeking to participate in a global learning opportunity. Students interested in exploring study abroad and away options should visit Global Engagement (103 Classroom Unit Building) to meet with a Global Learning Advisor early in their college career and review the UCSC Global Learning website. Global Learning applications are generally due approximately 4-8 months in advance of the program start date, so it is critical that students start planning well in advance.

UCSC students may choose to study abroad or away through a variety of global learning programs, including UCSC Global Seminars, UCSC Partner Programs, UCSC Global Internships, UCDC Washington Program, UC Center Sacramento, UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), Other UC Study Abroad/Away Programs, or Independent Study Abroad/Away Programs. Students can also explore global opportunities at UCSC through Global Classrooms, existing UCSC courses that engage with a class from a university abroad. Search programs here.

On any UC program, financial aid will apply and students will receive UC credit. Students may apply to have coursework count toward GE, major, or minor requirements. See more at Academic Planning. For Independent Programs, students may be able to receive transfer credit for the courses they complete. Transferable courses may be used to satisfy major, minor, or general education requirements at the discretion of the appropriate department. Some financial aid may apply and many Independent Programs offer scholarships to help offset the costs of the program.

Students interested in learning more about global learning opportunities at UCSC should start by creating an account in the Global Learning Portal. After creating an account, students may make an appointment to meet with a global learning advisor. See more information at Advising.

The Intercampus Visitor Program enables students to take advantage of educational opportunities at other campuses of the University of California. Students may take courses not available at UC Santa Cruz, participate in special programs, or study with distinguished faculty at other campuses. The program is for one term only; students are expected to return to the Santa Cruz campus after the visit.

Each host campus establishes its own criteria for accepting students from other campuses as visitors. For more information, go to Office of the Registrar Special Programs or contact Office of the Registrar, Special Programs at sp-regis@ucsc.edu.

The Psychology Field Study Program provides qualified students with an opportunity to integrate what they have learned in the classroom with direct experience in a community agency. Students develop new skills and clarify personal and professional goals by working as interns in schools, criminal justice programs, corporations, and mental health and other social service agencies, where they are supervised by a professional within that organization. Psychology faculty members sponsor field study students, helping them to synthesize their intern experience with psychology coursework and guiding them through an academic project.

Junior and senior psychology majors in good academic standing are eligible to apply for field study and there is a two-quarter commitment required. In order to have a more rich field study experience, it is recommended that applicants already have completed some upper division Psychology coursework. Interested students must attend a Field Study Info Session, held each quarter, to obtain an overview of the program and a link to the application. The Info Session schedule is available at the start of each quarter and posted online.

The UC Center Sacramento (UCCS) program allows students to spend a quarter living and interning in the state’s capitol. The program is housed at the UC Center Sacramento building, just one block away from the State Capitol Building. This is a unique experience that combines academics, research, and public service. 

The UCCS program is available year-round (fall, winter, spring, and summer quarters), facilitated through UC Davis, and is open to juniors and seniors of all majors. Past students have interned in the Office of the Governor, the State Capitol (with Assemblymembers, State Senators, Committees, and Offices), various government departments and agencies (such as the Department of Public Health, Department of Housing and Community Development, the Environmental Protection Agency), and organizations (such as LULAC, California Forward, and more).

Interested students with strong academic records who want to pursue a professional internship during their tenure at UCSC are encouraged to apply. For further information, contact globallearning@ucsc.edu, Classroom Unit 103, or visit the Global Learning website for more information about how to apply, deadlines, and more.