What We Do
- Internship Courses
- The UCDC Program
- UC Center Sacramento
- Biology Research Intern Program
- Partner Programs
UC Center Sacramento (UCCS) is the University of California’s premier teaching, research, and public-service site located one block from the State Capitol Building in Sacramento, California. As a unique experience for University of California students to combine academics, research, and public service, UCCS engages students with public policy and policymaking at all levels of government, in a diverse number of fields.
The UCCS program is available year-round (fall, winter, spring, and summer quarters), and all majors are encouraged! Past UCSD students have interned in the State Capitol (with State Assemblymembers and State Senators, Committees, and Offices), various government departments and agencies (such as the Department of Public Health, Department of Housing & Community Development, the Environmental Protection Agency), and organizations (such as LULAC, California Forward, and more).
Coursework & Internships (up to 15 quarter units):
(A) Political Science 192A: Political Science Internship (Mandatory, 5 units - Pass/No Pass):
This course combines research with professional experience. Work as an intern for about 20 hours per week by supporting the policy-making process in a legislator's office, an executive branch agency, or another setting in the Sacramento policy community. Students must complete a public policy research paper as part of this course.
(B) Political Science 193: Internship & Research (Optional, 2 units - Letter Grade):
Internship and three analytic papers related to the internship and/or current events in addition to an oral presentation.
(C) Political Science 195: The California Policy Seminar (Mandatory, 4 units - Letter Grade):
This course teaches students about the state's political processes, institutions, and policy challenges. The seminar is taught by members of the UC Davis faculty and features guest lectures given by a variety of participants and observers of California politics and government.
(D) Political Science 196E: Research Design & Methods (Mandatory, 4 units - Graded):
Original undergraduate research work culminating in a poster presentation. Learn to utilize programs like Qualtrics, GIS, Stata, and Excel to collect and analyze data.
(E) Additional Courses. Students are permitted to enroll in additional courses offered at UC Davis, so long as they meet course requirements. This option is not encouraged, as students are typically very busy between their internships and courses at the center alone. Click to see additional courses
Each quarter, a special studies course is offered and can be taken instead of Political Science 195: The California Policy Seminar (4 units - Letter Grade).
(A) Public Policy - Healthcare
Political Science 108: Public Policy - Healthcare (4 units)
This course is currently "The Policy & Politics of Healthcare". Students analyze the impact and implementation of Health Policy in California. The course examines the way health policy can influence health, the tools available to health policy analysts, and the ways in which health services researchers have examined health care access, quality, and costs. This course is only available during Fall Quarters/Semesters and is taken instead of Political Science 195. This course must be taken for a letter grade.
(B) Public Policy - Environment
Political Science 108: Public Policy - Environment (4 units)
The Environmental Policy course has three main objectives 1) to introduce the basics of environmental policy tools, approaches, and issues, 2) to creatively and critically examine case studies of environmental policy, and 3) to develop skills in investigating, writing, and speaking about environmental policy issues. The course will utilize an active learning approach and will center on case studies to examine cross-cutting themes. This course is only available during Winter Quarters and is taken instead of Political Science 195. This course must be taken for a letter grade.
(C) Public Policy - Education
Political Science 108: Public Policy - Education (4 units)
Students will examine the landscape of education policy and governance and develop an understanding of major education policy issues in California, including education finance policy and school funding, school accountability and improvement, teacher preparation and tenure, access to higher education, and more. This course is only available during Spring Quarters and is taken instead of Political Science 195. This course must be taken for a letter grade.
Fall 2021: May 20, 2021
Winter 2022: June 24, 2021
Spring 2022: November 4, 2021
Summer 2022: December 2, 2021
1. UC Center Sacramento now uses an online application process! Please click this link to start your application today!
If you are unable to use the UC Center Sacramento online application, please complete the PDF version.
You can find the PDF version of our UC Center Sacramento Application here.
Your application (online or PDF) should include:
- Completed Application Form
- 3 References-One of the three has to be a faculty member, associate instructor, or graduate teaching assistant.
- Resume* (See example resume here)
- Essay*
- Transcripts
For any assistance with our online application or PDF application and process for applying to UC Center Sacramento, please email the UC Center Sacramento advisors at uccsadvisors@ucdavis.edu.