The School of Social Science, Humanities, and Arts (SSHA) at UC Merced empowers students with the knowledge to become leaders, creators and innovators who will shape the future of California and the world.

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Our departments offer 16 majors and 20 minors that prepare students for academic and professional success.

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Top 5 UC Merced's Top 10 Enrolled Majors

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Voices of Success

" It’s SSHAwesome how supportive SSHA faculty are, and I love learning through their interdisciplinary approach while being part of a friendly, engaged community. "

-Victoria Mendez

" Public Health at UC Merced feels personal- what I learn connects to the Central Valley, and I love helping others find the resources they need to thrive. "

-Emily Lo

" As a history major, I’ve gained versatile skills I can use beyond the classroom. At a smaller campus like UC Merced, it’s easier to access research, jobs, and meaningful ways to help others. "

-Max Turkovich

" SSHA majors have a clear edge- it's easy to build real connections with professors and tap into research and job opportunities early on. "

-Anton Viray

" At SSHA, I get to explore beyond my major, connect with professors, and have meaningful conversations that make learning personal. "

-Melanie Farias-Ramirez

" I feel that the topics that are taught are expansive, and I like that I am able to take classes in different areas of study and they still count towards my major. You can get one on one time with professors and get to know them, and class sizes are smaller so there is more opportunity to get to know your professors. "

-Melanie Farias-Ramirez

Our Impact in Action

Student speaker at 2024 UC Merced Fall Commencement

Fall Commencement Graduates Urged to Write Their Own Story

December 22, 2025

Hundreds of UC Merced graduate candidates gathered with friends and family Dec. 19-20 for Fall Commencement. Ceremonies were held for the Graduate Division and the university’s three schools.

Collage photo of Black male with dark hair and beard wearing blue and gray long sleeve shirt and photo of campus signage and palm trees.

Ph.D. Student Awarded Fellowship to Advance Environmental Health and Harmful Algal Bloom Mitigation

December 18, 2025

Public health Ph.D. student Felix Agyemang Opoku has been awarded the UC Global Health Initiative Center for Planetary Health Water and Health Summer Research Fellowship. The research fellowships are...

Graduate Students Highlight Research and Campus Life to Encourage Transfers

December 5, 2025

Three Ph.D. students recently visited Madera Community College to share research findings and highlight opportunities available to transfer students at UC Merced. Emily Rivera Mondragon, a second-...

Conference of California Sociologists Engages UC Merced Undergrads

December 3, 2025

More than a dozen undergraduate students in UC Merced’s Sociology Club were immersed in the discipline’s breadth of research and professional possibilities during the California Sociological...