Undergraduate Advising

Advising is an important part of your undergraduate education. Our faculty, peer advisors and undergraduate advisor play a vital role in advising on all aspects of the Sociology majors and minors. Students considering a sociology major or minor should consult with peer advisors and the undergraduate advisor as early as possible, no later than early to mid-sophomore year. Junior transfer students must begin consulting with the undergraduate advisor in the summer prior to their first quarter at UCSC.  

  

In order to align with campus directives regarding the COVID-19 response and to ensure community health and safety, Sociology advising has shifted online. Advising is available via email, and when needed the undergraduate advisor is available via phone, Zoom, or Google Hangouts. We will continue to be available in this manner through Spring quarter. When you are emailing us please always use your UCSC email account, and provide your full name and student ID number. Please review the information below.

Combined LALS/SOCY Students: If you have a question about the sociology part of the major please direct it to socyadvising@ucsc.edu. If you are declaring the major, or have LALS related questions, please direct it to the LALS Advisor.

Contact sociologypeer@ucsc.edu  for (not available during Spring Break):

• Sociology questions that do not require us to review your record
• General questions about the Sociology major or GISES minor
• Initial academic planning for the major, such as if you are just starting the major
• General enrollment advising
• Course Substitution process
• Insight from a current sociology student

Contact socyadvising@ucsc.edu for:

• Anything that requires us to check your record
• Signature on forms (will all be done digitally)
• Progress check questions (please review your academic advisement report first. MyUCSC -> My Academics)
• Submitting Independent Study to obtain course number for enrollment
• Checking on the status of course substitution petition
• Updates needed on your academic advisement report
• If you need a phone appointment or video appointment, provide the following information in your email: Your full name, your student ID number, if you prefer a phone or video chat appointment, phone number where you can be reached (if requesting a phone appointment), and your availability. 

Contact your College Advising Office for:

• General Education requirements
• IGETC questions
• Unit completion
• Enrolling in more than 19 units
• Withdraw from a class questions
• Leave of Absence or withdraw from university questions
• Academic standing
• Commencement

   

Common Topics & Questions:

• Academic Calendar for important dates and deadlines
• Sociology program requirements
• Declare a sociology program
• Apply or petition an elective course substitution
• Sociology enrollment information
• Independent study process
• Sociology P/NP policy
• Enrolling in more than 19 units
• Part-time program
• Withdraw from a course
• Enroll in a class after the add/drop/swap deadline- Add by Petition
• Petition to Extend Enrollment
• Apply for graduation and view calendar for deadline to apply
• Internships/volunteer opportunities and other organizations
• Graduate school advising
• Study Abroad info and process

 

Degree Progress/Where am I with my requirements?

Check your academic advisement report: MyUCSC -> My Academics -> Academic Advisement Report -> scroll down to the sociology sections to review areas that are “Not Satisfied”. You can also review the top of the report for GE requirements, and the bottom of your report for units completed. Any questions about GEs, IGETC, or units must go to your College advising office. Sociology does not advise on these requirements. 

  

 

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Faculty Advising

Faculty Advisors (PDF)

Sociology faculty members are valuable resources for: discussing ideas and concepts, applying sociology to your future life and career plans and writing recommendation letters. Faculty hold office hours each week during the academic quarters. These hours are available for students to discuss course work, research opportunities, graduate school, and future courses. Take advantage of office hours to meet faculty and get to know them.

Why do I need a faculty advisor?

Sociology faculty are the best advisors to seek out to discuss any academic matters. They are experts in their fields, and can provide mentoring, recommendations, and opportunities. Students who establish a relationship with faculty members, visit them in office hours, and participate in their courses are more likely to succeed in their academics at UCSC and more likely to participate in research opportunities.  

How do I select a faculty advisor?

The recommended approach, and the approach preferred by faculty, is to select a faculty advisor based on your areas of interest in Sociology. Review faculty research areas on their profiles on the Sociology website.  You may seek out more than one faculty advisor if you find that multiple faculty have interests that match your own. Students may also select a faculty advisor because they had a class with the professor and have already established a working relationship, based on courses the faculty member will be teaching in the future, or based on the students’ interest in working with the faculty member on a senior thesis in the future. While it is recommended that students select a faculty advisor when they are declaring the major, students are not limited to meeting only with that advisor, but are free to consult other faculty for advising during their time at UCSC.  If your interests change over time, begin meeting with the faculty advisor in your new area of interest.

What can I discuss with my faculty advisor?

• Academic questions related to Sociology
• Course-related questions
• Research areas of interest
• Research opportunities
• Current research projects
• Letter of recommendation
• Courses they will be teaching throughout the year
• Field study sponsorship through an Individual Study
• Internships, volunteer opportunities or organizations they work with in the community
• Senior thesis
• Course issues and feedback
• Recommendations for other majors, minors, professors, or courses in a particular area of interest
• Referrals to campus resources
• Developing academic goals
• Graduate school
• Careers  (and visit the Career Center!)
• Academic support if needed for awards, scholarships, and grants
• Academic integrity questions (plagiarism, ethics of research, etc.)
• Building skills needed in areas of interest
• University life