UC Santa Cruz Student Health Services is a full-service medical facility offering a complex integration of primary care, counseling and psychiatric services to students on the UCSC campus. This includes a primary care clinic, same day clinic, counseling, psychiatry, high complexity laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, optometry, billing and insurance as well as other administrative functions. Student Health Services also encompasses the Student Health Outreach and Promotion (SHOP), and Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE). UCSC Student Health Services strives to create a caring and supportive environment to assist students in improving their physical and emotional well-being to aid in their academic success. For hours by department and location, visit the locations and hours section of our website.
Student Health Center
The Student Health Center is the medical branch of Student Health Services. We offer in-person and telehealth appointments to all registered students and services are provided by board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. SHC provides health care focused on the particular needs of students such as nutritional counseling, x-ray, lab, STI testing, optometry, and pharmacy. Students can be seen by appointment or, in cases of illness or injury, on the same day at the Same Day Clinic. The Health Center is open weekdays during the regular academic year. In case of emergencies, either during the day or after normal operating hours, please call 911.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers a range of professional services to undergraduate and graduate students seeking help with personal concerns. Counseling services are available for any registered UCSC student and are confidential. There is no out-of-pocket fee for CAPS services, and you don't need UC SHIP or CruzCare to be seen at CAPS. We provide assistance for students with academic and personal stress, relationship and family issues, drug and alcohol problems, psychological problems, and crisis situations.
Psychiatry services include diagnostic evaluations or prescribing of medication in certain situations. Depending on a student’s needs, a student may be provided with brief individual or couples counseling, group counseling, psychiatric services, crisis intervention, case management services, or a referral for open-ended or long-term therapy off campus.
CAPS also provides the Let’s Talk Drop-in Program, educational workshops on mental health topics and online therapy and resources. One of CAPS more recent and innovative programs is the Campus Mobile Crisis Team (CMCT), which responds to non-emergent, behavioral health-related distress calls on campus. Staffed with an EMT and a behavioral interventionist, the team provides an alternative to law enforcement response for a whole range of situations. See the CMCT website for additional information.
Information provided to any CAPS professional staff member is confidential within Student Health Services and cannot be released without a student’s permission except in specific circumstances involving risk and safety. All services are aimed at helping students gain greater personal effectiveness and academic success. Professional staff members are available at various locations on campus, including the Student Health Services building and the colleges. Emergency on-site crisis services and after hours crisis services are also available.
Staff members are available to provide consultation to staff, faculty, individuals, or family members for assistance in helping students in distress. Counseling psychologists can also provide training and programs on a variety of mental health topics, stress and coping skills, multicultural issues, and organizational development.
For more information visit the Counseling and Psychological Services website or call (831) 459-2628.
Student Health Insurance
To ensure that emergencies and other health care costs do not interfere with a student's education, all University of California students are mandated by the University of California Board of Regents to have health insurance. A comprehensive and affordable program specifically designed for students is available through the university via the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP). All students are automatically enrolled in UC SHIP and billed quarterly through their student account, unless they choose to waive this coverage by providing proof of suitable insurance annually by the specified deadlines. For detailed information regarding insurance coverage and the waiver process, view the Billing and Insurance Information section on the Student Health Center website. The Student Health Center only accepts UC SHIP, not any other health insurance plans.
If you want to use your own insurance and use Student Health Services on campus without paying high fees, consider CruzCare. CruzCare is inexpensive pre-paid access to SHS (it’s not an insurance plan). With CruzCare, visits to the Student Health Center for some acute illness or acute injury do not generate a charge. There are no charges for some lab tests or x-rays done at the Student Health Center. Learn more about CruzCare.
Immunization and Tuberculosis Screening Requirements
UC-wide, all incoming UC students, (frosh, graduate, transfer, and returning) are required to obtain specific vaccines and tuberculosis (TB) screening before coming to campus. Immunization information and the TB Risk screening form must be submitted through Health e-Messenger.
Failure to complete this process will result in an enrollment hold and will affect the ability to register for future classes. For more information about UCSC Student Health Services and the UC-wide immunization requirements, please visit the Student Health Center website.
Student Health Outreach and Promotion (SHOP)
SHOP is UCSC’s destination for information, conversation, and self-exploration around health and wellness in a safe, non-judgmental environment. SHOP provides opportunities for students to explore and enhance their health and wellness as they pursue their academic goals. SHOP offers information, education, resources, and support on issues related to alcohol and other drugs, sexual and reproductive health, mental health and wellness, college life balance and other concerns relevant to college students. All UCSC students are welcome and encouraged to drop in and speak with SHOP’s professional and student staff. SHOP offers a robust peer education program - by students for students. Students can get involved with SHOP by becoming peer educators.
Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Education
Student Health Outreach and Promotion (SHOP) empowers students to reduce risks related to substance use/misuse. Students can meet with staff confidentially to discuss their personal AOD use, discuss concerns about friends or family members, obtain educational materials, participate in workshops, and access resources and a support center for students in recovery. SHOP Health Educators provide formal and informal sessions and workshops for students, college residential staff, and other campus groups. For information call (831) 459-1417 or visit the SHOP website. NOTE: In January 2014, UC Santa Cruz implemented a campuswide smoke and tobacco-free policy.
- Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Prevention
- SHOP offers many resources for promoting sexual health, including:
- The Condom Co-Op, selling safer sex supplies at reduced cost.
- The Birth Control Patrol—make an appointment with a peer to choose a contraceptive option.
- Workshops, activities, and events.
- Sexual health questions? Speak to a SHOP staff person.
SHOP is located at the Student Health Center. For more information, visit the SHOP website, call (831) 459-3772, or email shop@ucsc.edu.
Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE)
Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE) provides support, advocacy, resources, and violence prevention education to the UC Santa Cruz community. We respond to the needs of students, staff, and faculty impacted by sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking by providing confidential advocacy services. CARE services are survivor-centered and trauma-informed.
To request an appointment with a confidential CARE Advocate, email care@ucsc.edu or call 831-502-CARE (2273).
CARE also works collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to educate the campus community about the vital role that each of us has in preventing violence and creating a culture of consent and respect. We supervise a peer prevention education program for students covering topics including:
- How to support survivors
- Reporting options
- Healthy communication and relationships
- Bystander intervention skills
- Media literacy
CARE is located at 233 Oakes Rd, Academic Building, Room 221. Find us online at CARE, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter.
Clinical Laboratory
The UC Santa Cruz Student Health Services Laboratory provides a variety of testing and phlebotomy services. We perform many routine in-house tests with a quick turnaround time for results, in addition to phlebotomy services for send-out laboratory tests. in-house tests in addition to phlebotomy services for send-out laboratory tests. Our team is caring and compassionate about their work and look forward to helping our student body.
We have a robust self-ordered testing program. The most utilized tests are tests on our Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) test menu. We offer students the ability to order their own STI tests (self-ordered) and report results for most tests directly to the student through Health e-Messenger. In addition to STIs, we have a self-ordered wellness panel to help students maintain optimal health.
We are open Monday through Friday, visit the locations and hours section of our website. Limited appointments are available, as well as walk-in service. We are located on the bottom floor of the Student Health Center.