UC Merced School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts

UC Merced was established in 2005 and includes three schools — the School of Natural Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Arts.

UC Merced offers undergraduate and graduate academic programs and many laboratories and resources to enhance the educational experiences of the university’s students.

To get admitted to the school’s academic program, students must hold a high school or equivalent degree, and for those that don’t, there’s a great online program designed by Onsego that will get them all set for the GED® exam pretty fast and efficiently. Recently, we published a review of Onsego so if you want to learn more, check out that post.

Undergraduate students can choose from 25 minors and 24 majors and graduate students can join one of the 18 graduate cohorts that are led and instructed by over 200 faculty members that are all full-time employed. These full-time faculty members are supported by visiting lecturers and professors from various backgrounds.

UC Merced’s School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Arts (SSHA) provides in-depth education in a wide range of well-respected undergraduate and graduate academic programs that will prepare the school’s students for various roles as leaders and informed, responsible citizens.

Outstanding research facilities and top-notch academic programs will definitely encourage the students’ intellectual growth and prepare them for challenging, marketable careers. They will learn to value lifelong learning and work toward civic responsibility and understanding in public service in a rapidly changing global environment.

SSHA functions as a multi-interdisciplinary partner serving the international, national, state, and regional communities in a public, research-oriented public university that’s committed to substantive innovative research, student-centered learning, and excellent teaching.

Social Science Degree

More and more students across the nation are interested in examining human behavior, culture, and history, and working on a fulfilling career. UC Merced SSHA offers them the opportunity to earn a Social Science degree and unlock their full potential.

The school’s students will learn skills that are translatable to a broad range of professional settings. Throughout the academic education and training, the students will learn to refine and develop their critical thinking and analytical skills, enhance their research skills, and improve their communication capacities to successfully address problems that have a direct impact on societies.

As Social Science majors, they will have gained the necessary and essential knowledge skills required to become difference makers that will improve their societies. This way, they can contribute to the economic and social development of Merced County and beyond.

Within the Liberal Arts realm, Social Sciences are special academic areas that research critical elements and societal conditions related to human behavior. Specific research and study fields of undergraduate programs at UC Merced SSHA include psychology and economics and psychology. The school’s graduate programs include fields such as sociology and public health.

Students that take Social Science classes have the opportunity to build up strong analytical and critical-thinking skills and build up well-rounded problem-solving traits that will help them to successfully operate as professionals across key sectors related to social aspects within ever-increasing populations.

Study Humanities

Humanities study ever-evolving human behavior. Researching and understanding our collective history and behavior are key components to creating better conditions and a better world for our communities and generations to come and improving societal and community outcomes.

Education in Humanities will provide essential information about our communities and society. Students will learn about the ways in which we are communicating and addressing key issues that will have an impact on the future. for example, through the Central Valley Quality of Life Program. For students looking for ways to build a better community and a better world, studying humanities is a key element toward success.

Students studying humanities at UC Merced SSHA will gain essential frameworks for life. They will develop a wide range of skills that emphasize critical and creative thinking, communication, problem-solving, collaborating with others, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness. \

When studying and researching the humanities, they will gain the knowledge and skills required to be successful in public service, NGOs, or the corporate world. So whether students are dreaming of education, social work, or another related field, a humanities education from UC Merced SSHA will give them the tools they need to succeed.