 A new joint program , the first of its kind in the University of California system , enables UC Santa Cruz students to earn a bachelor 's degree and law degree in six years instead of the usual seven . The " 3 + 3 BA / JD " Program between UC Santa Cruz and UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco accepted its first applicants in fall 2014 . UCSC students who declare their intent in their freshman or early sophomore year will complete three years at UCSC and then move on to UC Hastings to begin the three @-@ year law curriculum . Credits from the first year of law school will count toward a student 's bachelor 's degree . Students who successfully complete the first @-@ year law course work will receive their bachelor 's degree and be able to graduate with their UCSC class , then continue at UC Hastings for the final two years of law study . 
