Undergraduate Advising
Staff advising
Virtual advising appointments
Set up your appointment via Navigate Slug Success.
A Google Calendar online invitation will follow successful registration. Hours are:
- Mon. – Thurs., 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.
- Fri. 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Drop-in virtual advising
Hours are:
- Mon. – Wed., 2 – 3:30 p.m.
- Thurs. – Fri., 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Peer advising
Peer Advisors are current students who can assist with major and minor requirements, prepare declaration paperwork and academic planning forms, and answer questions about our courses, opportunities, and programs. There are a range of different formats available for peer advising.
Google Meet Chat
To chat with a peer advisor, add lgstpoli@ucsc.edu to your UCSC email’s Google contacts and send us a message. Hours are:
- Tues., 10 a.m.- 1:15 p.m.
- Thurs., 10 a.m.- 3:15 p.m.
- Fri., 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
In-person advising (drop-in)
The Politics/Legal Studies Peer Advising Office is located in the Merrill College Academic Building, Room 8 (or Merrill 8). Hours are:
- Mon. 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Tues. 10 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
- Thurs. 10 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
Remote advising (appointments)
Make a virtual appointment by selecting a time slot on our Google Calendars. Appointment hours are Fridays from noon – 1 p.m.
Remote advising (drop-in)
Use the Zoom link in each advisor’s Google calendar to attend virtual drop-in advising. We are available on Thursdays, from noon- 5 p.m. Note that there might be a wait, so be patient, and a Peer Advisor will assist you as soon as possible.
Meet your advisors
Yanin Monter, Legal Studies Undergraduate Advisor & Program Coordinator
Hi! My name is Yanin (she/her), and I am the undergraduate advisor for legal studies. I am a UCSC alumnus (double major in legal studies and sociology), and education has always been important to me. Being a first-generation Latina student, I faced many challenges along the way, but I received a lot of support from both faculty and staff, which drove my desire to help other students navigate through their undergraduate careers as well. During my free time, I spend most of my time hanging out with my two dogs. Read my philosophy of advising.
Jerry Diaz, Politics Undergraduate Advisor & Assistant Manager
Jerry is a Banana Slug alumnus (sociology & education minor) from the Class of 1999. He has a Master’s degree in Higher Education with an emphasis in student development theories from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Jerry has exercised a lifelong passion for student affairs work in academic advising and guidance since 2012. He resides in the area with his family, which includes his turtle Shelly. When not in the office, he enjoys running, cooking, and reading good books. Jerry is committed to your academic success and invites you to connect for an academic advising session.
Lesly Lizarraga, Politics & Legal Studies Peer Advisor
Hello everyone! My name is Lesly Lizarraga (she/her) and I’m currently a second year student pursuing a major in politics and minor in legal studies. Beyond my education, I enjoy reading, journaling, and going on spontaneous adventures either by myself or with friends. After graduation, I plan on attending law school in hopes of becoming an immigration lawyer and maybe even move back to Tucson, Arizona (where I was born). In addition to being a politics and legal studies peer advisor, I’m also a Perk employee and a mentor for the Mentor Collective Program. I’m more than excited to be joining the POLI/LGST advising team and can’t wait to provide my peers with both support and guidance as they embark on their academic journey.
Cat Comella, Politics & Legal Studies Peer Advisor
Hi everyone! My name is Cat (they/she). I am a third-year double majoring in psychology and sociology with a minor in legal studies. In my free time, I love exploring new coffee shops, reading books, and watching Formula 1 racing! I also serve as a resident assistant for the Crown & Merrill Apartments, and as a research assistant for the Sexual and Gender Diversity Laboratory. After graduation, I plan on earning my Masters of Social Work, and becoming a Criminal Legal Social Worker! I am super excited to help my fellow Politics and Legal Studies peers as they set out on their academic career!
Major and minor degree requirements
Major checklists
These checklists are only for the legal studies major. Double majors/minors require verification from all declared departments. Colleges provide general education and unit verification.
Declaring the legal studies major/minor
Step 1
First major/minor: complete LGST 10 with a passing grade, “P”/”C” or better.
Second major: complete LGST 10 for a letter grade of “C” or above.
Step 2
Meet with a peer advisor, create an Academic Planning Form, and share it with the legal studies advisor at ymonterh@ucsc.edu, with the message “Declaring LGST Major.”
Making the most of your learning experience
The Legal Studies Program encourages students to participate in program events, such as our Speakers’ Series, and to undertake law-related experiential learning opportunities, like internships, field study, and travel learning programs. Find more details on our Undergraduate Experiential Learning page and through the UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) and UCSC Global Learning.
Course substitutions
Students can petition for up to three course substitutions for the legal studies major, with a maximum of two courses from EAP. This limit includes travel study programs like Global Learning, UCDC, and UC Sacramento Center, as well as independent study courses. Courses from Global Learning are not pre-approved. After official grades are posted on MyUCSC, email the legal studies undergraduate advisor the course syllabus. Syllabi are then reviewed by the legal studies program director.
Honors in the major
To be considered for honors or highest honors at graduation, a student must have taken a minimum of nine graded courses in the major. P/NP grades are not included when calculating GPA in the major. “Honors” and “Highest Honors” classifications will be awarded to graduating students who achieve GPAs of 3.67 and 3.8 respectively, based on classes taken within the legal studies major. Per UCSC policy, generally, no more than 15% of the graduating class earns honors or highest honors in the major.
Legal studies pass/no pass grading policy
- Pass / No Pass (Major): Up to three LGST courses may be taken as P/NP towards the major. If a student wishes to qualify for honors, the amount of P/NP courses should be no more than two.
- Pass / No Pass (Minor): Up to two LGST courses may be taken as P/NP towards the minor.
Graduate school resources
Faculty, students, and alumni from our program have put together advice and resources to support students who are interested in attending law school or other graduate programs after completing a B.A. in Legal Studies.