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uc merced welcomes our new students

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.

Find Your Degree

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

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

" 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

UC Merced Arts Las Cafeteras
October 3, 2025

UC Merced Arts has announced its 2025-26 season of performances, exhibitions and public art programs, beginning with the return of East L.A.’s electrifying band Las Cafeteras. The band’s Día de los...

Mark Arax
September 18, 2025

UC Merced has debuted a writer-in-residence program with one of California’s premier chroniclers of its history, especially the titanic power plays for land and water that have shaped the state’s...

This year's Hellman Fellows: Adeyemi Adebiyi, Qian Wang and Meredith Van Natta
September 4, 2025

As the Hellman Fellowships celebrate their 30th year, three more researchers, one from each of UC Merced’s schools, have joined the prestigious ranks of recipients. Electrical engineering Professor...

August 29, 2025

This is the final entry of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2025 semester. Adriana Ponce Mata spent the last two summers working in one of the largest and oldest...

Celebrating Achievements

This year's Hellman Fellows: Adeyemi Adebiyi, Qian Wang and Meredith Van Natta
September 4, 2025

As the Hellman Fellowships celebrate their 30th year, three more researchers, one from each of UC Merced’s schools, have joined the prestigious ranks of recipients. Electrical engineering...

Fabiola Perez-Lua, a recent Ph.D. graduate at UC Merced, earned a UCLA Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship.
August 13, 2025

A daughter of San Joaquin Valley immigrant farmworkers has earned the opportunity to study alongside a nationally prominent health researcher and energize her mission to improve the well-being of...

July 3, 2025

UC Merced Ph.D. candidates Eliana Fonsah and Nihan Karagul are recipients of the highly competitive dissertation fellowship from the UC Institute of Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC...

Thirteen recipients for the Outstanding Graduating Student Award pose for a group photo.
May 20, 2025

Thirteen UC Merced students were honored by the School of Social Science, Humanities and Arts for outstanding undergraduate careers. At a reception May 15 at Vista Ranch, Dean Leo Arriola said the...

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