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 student Taliyah Miller poses for photo
March 25, 2026

Taliyah Miller would be the first to tell you she arrived at UC Merced with an unwavering, long-range goal: become an anesthesiologist. What she could not have predicted was that a difficult roommate...

UC Merced student Grace Grinder in the university library.
March 19, 2026

As a child of the Central Valley and a member of a Native tribe, Grace Grinder developed an early awareness of health care disparities affecting rural regions and underserved communities. While in...

UC Merced student Nayelyi Salazar on campus
March 17, 2026

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. A few more taps and Nayelyi Salazar would be a community college student — a big step for the high-schooler from Delhi, a town of 10,000 that hugs California’s...

Several people, including graduates of UC Merced Professional Certificate in California Government and Policy program, plus faculty, staff and friends.
March 16, 2026

The inner machinery of democracy in California – from bills and lobbying to courts and elections – is revealed in a professional certification program launched at the University of California, Merced...

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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