Psychology transfer to UC Santa Cruz
What UC Santa Cruz expects psychology transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Santa Cruz’s own preparation and selection rules, UC’s shared course list, the TAG terms and your odds.
Checked against official UC and campus sources in November 2026.
At a glance
- Fall 2025 campus admit rate
- 70.4%
- Screens applicants
- Yes
- TAG GPA line
- 3.00
- Admits transfers
- Yes
UC Santa Cruz admitted 70.4% of all transfer applicants for fall 2025, and it doesn’t publish admit rates by major. UC Santa Cruz reported an average GPA of 3.47 for admitted fall 2025 transfers and no range. The calculator’s range is an estimate around that average.
What Santa Cruz expects
Psychology B.A.
- Courses to finish
For the 2026-27 catalog, transfers must complete PSYC 1, a statistics course (PSYC 2, STAT 5, or STAT 7 with 7L), and one listed math course such as MATH 11A, 16A, 19A or AM 11A by the end of spring before fall entry. Source
PSYC 10 and PSYC 20 are recommended but not required before transfer. Source
- Selection
PSYC 1 and the statistics course need a B- or better and the math course needs a C or better, with no overall GPA minimum stated. A C or C+ in PSYC 1 can be offset by a B- in a course articulated to PSYC 10 or PSYC 20. Source
- Also note
Applicants must be admitted as proposed psychology majors, and transfers not screened and admitted as psychology majors may not add psychology as a second major. Source
Transfers must declare by the deadline in their second quarter of enrollment. Source
UCSC Admissions describes Computer Science and Psychology as impacted majors that are not available to second baccalaureate applicants. Source
- Every Santa Cruz major
For Fall 2026, UCSC screens transfer applicants for completion of major preparation courses in a published list of screening majors, with criteria given in each major's General Catalog entry. Source
Required major preparation must be completed by the end of the spring term before fall transfer, or by the end of the fall term before winter transfer. Source
UC’s shared course list
UC’s Psychology Transfer Pathway lists the courses that prepare you for this major at every campus, UC Santa Cruz included. Where Santa Cruz’s own list above asks for more, follow the campus.
| Course | Status |
|---|---|
| Introduction to psychology | Required |
| Statistics | Required |
| Calculus 1 (life sciences version or above) | Required |
| Biology 1 (STEM version) | Required |
| One additional science course (biology, chemistry or physics) | Required |
| Social/cultural anthropology | Choose 2 of 5: social science |
| Linguistic anthropology | Choose 2 of 5: social science |
| Logic | Choose 2 of 5: social science |
| Introduction to sociology | Choose 2 of 5: social science |
| Modern philosophy | Choose 2 of 5: social science |
Paste your course titles to see which items they cover.
TAG for this major
UC Santa Cruz’s TAG covers psychology for fall 2027 at a 3.00 UC-transferable GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.
Your odds
Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC Santa Cruz for psychology.
The same major at other campuses
| Campus | Screens applicants | TAG |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | No | No TAG |
| UCLA | Yes | No TAG |
| UC San Diego | No | No TAG |
| UC Irvine | Yes | 3.40 |
| UC Davis | Yes | 3.20 |
| UC Santa Barbara | No | 3.40 |
| UC Riverside | Yes | 3.30 |
| UC Merced | No | 3.00 |
Other majors at UC Santa Cruz
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
- Business Administration
- Business Economics
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Science
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Earth Science / Geology
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- English
- Environmental Science
- Film and Media Studies
- History
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Public Health
- Sociology
Official links
- UC Santa Cruz transfer admissionsadmissions.ucsc.edu
- ASSIST: course agreements to UC Santa Cruzassist.org
Questions
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for psychology?
PSYC 1 and the statistics course need a B- or better and the math course needs a C or better, with no overall GPA minimum stated. A C or C+ in PSYC 1 can be offset by a B- in a course articulated to PSYC 10 or PSYC 20. A TAG needs at least a 3.00.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for psychology?
For the 2026-27 catalog, transfers must complete PSYC 1, a statistics course (PSYC 2, STAT 5, or STAT 7 with 7L), and one listed math course such as MATH 11A, 16A, 19A or AM 11A by the end of spring before fall entry. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Is psychology selective or screened at UC Santa Cruz?
Yes. UC Santa Cruz screens transfer applicants for it. PSYC 1 and the statistics course need a B- or better and the math course needs a C or better, with no overall GPA minimum stated. A C or C+ in PSYC 1 can be offset by a B- in a course articulated to PSYC 10 or PSYC 20.
Can I get a TAG for psychology at UC Santa Cruz?
Yes, for fall 2027, with at least a 3.00 GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.