UC Santa Cruz has a strong commitment to queer studies and the critical study of sexualities and genders, evident in a wide range of course offerings, faculty interest, and research programs in these areas. Courses with queer content can be found in departments such as Anthropology, Critical Race & Ethnic Studies, Feminist Studies, Film + Digital Media, History, History of Consciousness, Legal Studies, Literature, Sociology, and Theater Arts.

Although UCSC does not yet have a major or minor in Sexuality Studies, majors as Feminist Studies, Sociology, and Literature, to name a few, have sufficient flexibility to allow students to design a course of study that will enable them to explore these interests. For students who prefer to take a more self-directed course of study, there is the option of designing an independent major.