(DRAFT) - SSHA REQUIREMENTS

Major Preparation Requirements and Transfer Selection

Preparing for your major involves completing freshman and sophomore courses that will enable you to take upper-division courses at UC Merced.

All majors in the schools of Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts are required to complete specific lower-division major preparation to be considered for admission. Below is a detailed list of information to help you prepare to transfer to UC Merced.

A few things to remember before you get started:

  1. Listed below are UC Merced courses; if you are a California community college student, visit our articulation agreements on ASSIST to find the equivalent courses available at your community college. If you are not a California community college student, you'll need to consult with an Admissions officer to discuss what you would need to take at your current institution.
  2. Articulation agreements are honored for the terms listed, so be sure to check this major preparation page often for the latest articulation information. 
  3. In some cases, articulated courses may not be offered at your institution. These courses may be taken at another California community college or at UC Merced after you transfer. Keep in mind that this may extend your time to graduation.
  4. All major preparatory courses must be completed with grades of C or better to fulfill the subject requirement.
  5. If you’re just getting started at a California community college and know which major you want to study, but haven’t decided which UC campus to apply to, follow one of the UC Transfer Pathways to keep your options open. The Transfer Pathways cover 21 of the most popular majors.

Fall 2027 Major Preparation Requirements and Transfer Selection:

School of Engineering

Required for all School of Engineering majors (must be completed in order to be considered for admission)

  • Minimum GPA of 2.4 for residents (2.8 for non-residents)
  • Complete all required courses listed below for your major with a grade of C or better, unless a higher grade is indicated.
  • Fall applicants must complete all minimum UC admission requirements in English and math by the end of the spring term prior to fall admission. Spring applicants must complete the English and math requirements by the end of the fall term before admission.
  • Courses that meet WRI 1 and WRI 10 (usually met by completing the UC minimum transfer requirements)
  • A course in mathematics/quantitative reasoning (usually met by completing the UC minimum transfer requirements)
  • Complete 60 UC-transferable semester units the term before enrollment (not including summer).

IMPORTANT:

Applicants are encouraged to clear any No Pass, D, or F letter grade received in UC transferable course work. Applicants are most competitive in the admissions process with fewer withdrawals and/or repeated course work in major preparation. All course work must be completed with a grade of C or better. Following these guidelines will assist you in being more competitive for admission to your UC Merced major. 

Strongly Recommended

Transfer students are encouraged to complete all of their major preparatory courses and some of the courses needed to satisfy lower-division general education requirements prior to transferring to UC Merced.  Applicants to the School of Engineering are highly discouraged from completing the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) or Inter-segmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). Below is a list of required courses that must be completed before transfer. A full list of recommended courses can be found for each engineering major at ASSIST.ORG.

Major 1-59 Units 60+ units (including excess-unit applicants)
General Requirements for all SOE Majors
  • Completion of Math 021
  • Complete all required courses with a grade of "C" or better.
  • Minimum GPA of 2.4 for residents (2.8 for non-residents)
  • Completion of WRI 001 and WRI 010 with "C" or better grade"
  • Complete 60 UC transferable semester units the term prior to enrollment (not including summer)
  • Spring applicants must complete the UC English and Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning Requirement by the end of the Fall before admission.
  • Complete all required courses below for your major with a grade of "C" or better.
Artificial Intelligence

​

  • CSE 015, CSE 022, CSE 030

  • MATH 021, MATH 022, and MATH 024

Aerospace, Biochemical and Biomolecular, Bioengineering, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Materials Science, and Mechanical Engineering Programs

  • CHEM 002 & 002L

  • MATH 021

  • PHYS 008 & 008L

  • CHEM 002 & 002L

  • MATH 021, MATH 022, MATH 023

  • PHYS 008 & 008L

 
Computer Science, B.S.  
  • CSE 015, CSE 022, CSE 030, CSE 031
  • MATH 021, MATH 022, MATH 024
Computer Science and Engineering, B.S.
  • CSE 022
  • CSE 020 & CSE 030 (with grades of C or better)
  • MATH 021, MATH 022
Data Science and Analytics
  • MATH 005 OR MATH 011 OR MATH 021
  • MATH 011 OR MATH 021, MATH 012 OR MATH 022
  • Complete one of the following: ECON 001, ECON 010, PHIL 002

M.I.S.T

  • MATH 005 OR MATH 011 OR MATH 021
  • MATH 011 OR MATH 021, MATH 012 OR MATH 022

School of Natural Sciences

Required for all School of Natural Sciences majors (must be completed to be considered for admission)

  • GPA of 2.4 or higher (2.8 for non-residents)
  • Complete all required courses listed below for your major with a grade of C or better, unless a higher grade is indicated.
  • Fall applicants must complete all minimum UC admissions requirements in English and math by the end of the spring term, before fall admission. Spring applicants must complete the English and math requirements by the end of the fall term before admission.
  • Courses that meet WRI 1 and WRI 10 (usually met by completing the UC minimum transfer requirements)
  • A course in mathematics/quantitative reasoning (usually met by completing the UC minimum transfer requirements)
  • Complete 60 UC-transferable semester units by the term before enrollment (not including summer).

Strongly Recommended

  • Cal-GETC/IGETC is acceptable for students planning to transfer into the School of Natural Sciences. Students are encouraged to prioritize as much lower-division major preparation as possible before transferring to ensure a smooth transition and timely progress toward their degree.

IMPORTANT:

Applicants are encouraged to clear any No Pass, D, or F letter grade received in UC transferable coursework. Applicants are most competitive in the admissions process with fewer withdrawals and/or repeated coursework in major preparation. All course work must be completed with a grade of C or better. Following these guidelines will assist you in being more competitive for admission to your UC Merced major. 

Major

1-59 units

60+ units
General Requirements for all majors
  • Minimum GPA of 2.4 for residents (2.8 for non-residents)
  • Completion of WRI 001 and WRI 010 with "C" or better grade"
  • Complete all required courses below for your major with a grade of "C" or better.
  • Minimum GPA of 2.4 for residents (2.8 for non-residents)
  • Completion of WRI 001 and WRI 010 with "C" or better grade"
  • Complete 60 UC transferable semester units the term prior to enrollment (not including summer)
  • Spring applicants must complete the UC English and Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning Requirement by the end of the Fall before admission.
  • Complete all required courses below for your major with a grade of "C" or better.

Applied Mathematical Sciences, B.S.

 
  • MATH 021, MATH 022, MATH 023, MATH 024
  • MATH 021, MATH 022, MATH 023, MATH 024
Biochemistry, B.S.
  • BIO 011/BIO 011L & BIO 012/ BIO 012L
  • CHEM 002/CHEM 002L, CHEM 010/CHEM 010L &
  • MATH021 & MATH022
  • BIO 011/BIO 011L & BIO 012/ BIO 012L
  • CHEM 002/CHEM 002L, CHEM 010/CHEM 010L &
  • MATH021 & MATH022
Biological Sciences, B.S.
  • BIO 011 & 011L, BIO 012 & 012L
  • CHEM 002 & 002L, CHEM 010 & 010L
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021, MATH 012 or MATH 022
  • BIO 011 & 011L, BIO 012 & 012L
  • CHEM 002 & 002L, CHEM 010 & 010L
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021, MATH 012 or MATH 022

 

Biological Sciences, B.A.

 
  • BIO 011 & 011L
  • CHEM 002 & 002L, CHEM 010 & 010L
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021
  • BIO 011 & 011L
  • CHEM 002 & 002L, CHEM 010 & 010L
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021
Chemistry, B.S.
  • CHEM 002 & CHEM 002L, CHEM 010 & CHEM 010L
  • MATH 021 & MATH 022
  • PHYS 008 & 008L, PHYS 009 & 009L
  • CHEM 002 & CHEM 002L, CHEM 010 & CHEM 010L
  • MATH 021 & MATH 022
  • PHYS 008 & 008L, PHYS 009 & 009L

Data Science and Computing, BS
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021, MATH 012 or MATH 022
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021, MATH 012 or MATH 022, MATH 024

Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, BS
  • BIO 011 & 011L, BIO 012 & 012L 
  • CHEM 002 & 002L, CHEM 010 & 010L
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021, MATH 012 or MATH 022
  • BIO 011 & 011L, BIO 012 & 012L 
  • CHEM 002 & 002L, CHEM 010 & 010L
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021, MATH 012 or MATH 022

Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, BS, Pre-Health emphasis only
  • BIO 011 & 011L, BIO 012 & 012L 
  • CHEM 002 & 002L, CHEM 010 & 010L, CHEM 008 & CHEM 008L
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021, MATH 012 or MATH 022
  • BIO 011 & 011L, BIO 012 & 012L 
  • CHEM 002 & 002L, CHEM 010 & 010L, CHEM 008 & CHEM 008L
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021, MATH 012 or MATH 022
Environmental Systems Science, B.S.
(previously Earth
Systems Sciences, B.S.)
  • CHEM 002 & CHEM 002L
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021
  • PHYS 008 & 008L OR PHYS 018 & PHYS 018L
  • CHEM 002 & CHEM 002L
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021
  • PHYS 008 & 008L OR PHYS 018 & PHYS 018L
Physics, B.S.
  • MATH 021, MATH 022
  • PHYS 008 & PHYS 008L, PHYS 009 & PHYS 009L
  • MATH 021, MATH 022
  • PHYS 008 & PHYS 008L, PHYS 009 & PHYS 009L

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School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts

Required for all School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (Must be completed to be considered for admission)

  • Minimum GPA of 2.4 (2.8 for nonresidents)
  • Complete all required courses listed below for your major with a grade of "C" or better, unless a higher grade is indicated.
  • Fall applicants must complete all minimum UC admissions requirements in English and Math by the end of the spring term, before fall admission. Spring applicants must complete the English and Math requirements by the end of the fall term before admission.
  • Courses that meet WRI 1 and WRI 10 (this requirement is usually met by completing the UC minimum transfer requirements)
  • A course in Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (Usually met by completing the UC minimum transfer requirements).
  • Complete 60 UC transferable semester units the term before enrollment (Not including summer).

Strongly Recommended (Completing these requirements increases your chance of being admitted to the University)

Transfer students are encouraged to complete major preparatory courses before transferring to UC Merced. Completion of the Cal-GETC or IGETC is recommended for majors within the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts.

IMPORTANT:

Applicants are encouraged to clear any No Pass, D or F letter grade received in UC transferable coursework. Applicants are most competitive in the admissions process with fewer withdrawals and/or repeated coursework in major preparation. All coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better. Completing the course requirements, both required and recommended, will assist you in being more competitive for admission to your UC Merced major and help you graduate on time once you transfer to UC Merced. 

Major

1-59 units

 60+ units
General Requirements for all majors
  • Minimum GPA of 2.4 (2.8 for nonresidents)
  • Complete all required courses listed below for your major with a grade of "C" or better, unless a higher grade is indicated.
  • No (D or F grades) in major coursework.
  • MAX of 2 (D or F grades) in non-major coursework.
  • Meet all the requirements noted above, and the Transfer Selection Criteria noted below for your major. If you have less than 60 UC transferable units, you may be admitted directly into the major.
  • Minimum GPA of 2.4 (2.8 for nonresidents)
  • No (D or F grades) in major coursework.
  • MAX of 2 (D or F grades) in non-major coursework.
  • Complete all required courses listed below for your major with a grade of "C" or better, unless a higher grade is indicated.
Accounting, B.S.
  • ECON 001
  • ECON 005
  • ECON 006A
  • ECON 006B or ECON 007
  • ECON 10
  • MATH 011 or MATH 21
  • ECON 001
  • ECON 005
  • ECON 006A
  • ECON 006B or ECON 007
  • ECON 10
  • MATH 011 or MATH 21
Anthropology, B.A.*

Complete one of the following: 

  • ANTH 001
  • ANTH 003
  • ANTH 005
 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information

Business Administration, B.A.
Financial Economics Emphasis

Business Administration, B.A.
Management Emphasis
  • ECON 001
  • ECON 005
  • ECON 006A
  • ECON 010
  • MATH 005 or MATH 008 or MATH 011
  • ECON 001
  • ECON 005
  • ECON 006A
  • ECON 010
  • MATH 005 or MATH 008 or MATH 011

Cognitive Sciences, B.A.

Cognitive Science, B.A.
Cognitive Neuroscience Emphasis 

Cognitive Science, B.A.
Cognitive Computation and Cognition Emphasis 

Cognitive Science, B.A.
Cognitive Language and Culture Emphasis 
  • COGS 001 or PSY 001
  • MATH 005 or MATH 011
  • PSY 010
  • COGS 001 or  PSY 001
  • MATH 005, MATH 011 or Math 021
  • PSY 010

Cognitive Sciences, B.S.

Cognitive Science, B.S.
Cognitive Neuroscience Emphasis 

Cognitive Science, B.S.
Cognitive Computation and Cognition Emphasis 

Cognitive Science, B.S.
Cognitive Language and Culture Emphasis 
  • COGS 001 or PSY 001
  • MATH 005, MATH 011 or MATH 021
  • PSY 010
  • COGS 001 or PSY 001
  • MATH 005, MATH 011 or Math 021
  • PSY 010

Communication and Media, B.A.

Communication and Media, B.A.
Linguistics Emphasis 

Communication and Media, B.A.
Media Production Emphasis

Complete two of the following with a "B" or better

  • COMM 001
  • COMM 002
  • COMM 003
  • COMM 004
  • COMM 015
  • COMM 016
  • COMM 017
  • COMM 018
  • COMM 060
  • CRES 001

Complete two of the following with a "B" or better

  • COMM 001
  • COMM 002
  • COMM 003
  • COMM 004
  • COMM 015
  • COMM 016
  • COMM 017
  • COMM 018
  • COMM 060
  • CRES 001
Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, B.A.*
  • CRES 001
 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information
Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, B.A.
Teaching and Social Sciences Emphasis*		 Complete at minimum the following courses:
  • CRES 001
  • ECON 001
  • POLI 001
 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information
Economics, B.A.
  • ECON 001
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021
  • ECON 001
  • MATH 011 or Math 021
Economics, B.S. 
Economic Analysis and Policy Emphasis
  • ECON 001
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021
  • MATH 012 or MATH 022
  • ECON 001
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021
  • MATH 012 or MATH 022
Economics, B.S.
Quantitative Economics Emphasis
  • ECON 001
  • MATH 021 & MATH 022
  • ECON 001
  • MATH 021 & MATH 022
Environmental Humanities, B.A.
  • At least two UC-Transferable courses from in any of the following topics:

    Environmental, Green, or Ecological Literature; Creative Writing; Professional Writing; Environmental Studies; Sociology; Bioethics; Environmental Justice; Biology; Environmental Science; Environmental Engineering; Ecology; Public Health
  • At least two UC-Transferable courses from in any of the following topics:

    Environmental, Green, or Ecological Literature; Creative Writing; Professional Writing; Environmental Studies; Sociology; Bioethics; Environmental Justice; Biology; Environmental Science; Environmental Engineering; Ecology; Public Health
Global Arts Studies Program, B.A.*
  • At least 2 UC-Transferable courses in Global Arts, including subjects in:
    • Arts, Art History, Music, Dance, Ethnomusicology, Studio Arts, Photography, Film, Drama, Theatre, Performing Arts, Graphic Arts, and Digital Arts
 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information
Global Arts Studies Program, B.A.
Performance Studies Emphasis*

Global Arts Studies Program, B.A.


Visual Studies Emphasis*
  • At least 2 UC-Transferable courses in Global Arts, including subjects in:
    • Arts, Art History, Music, Dance, Ethnomusicology, Studio Arts, Photography, Film, Drama, Theatre, Performing Arts, Graphic Arts, and Digital Arts
 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information
History, B.A.*
  • At least 2 UC-Transferable courses in History
    • You are strongly encouraged to complete two courses that have been approved as equivalents to specific UC Merced courses, including at least on world history course, as this will prepare you for upper-division courses at UC Merced
 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information
History, B.A.
Teaching Social Sciences Emphasis*

Complete at minimum the following courses:

  • CRES 001
  • ECON 001
  • POLI 001
 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information

Liberal Studies, B.A.

Liberal Studies, B.A.
Arts and Humanities Emphasis

Liberal Studies, B.A.
Social Science Emphasis
  • No additional major-specific courses are required.
 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information

Literatures in English, B.A.

Literatures in English, B.A.
Literature and Social Justice Emphasis

Literatures in English, B.A. Literature and the Environment Emphasis

  • At least 2 UC-Transferable courses in English, Literature or English Literature 
  • At least 2 UC-Transferable courses in English, Literature or English Literature 
Management and Business Economics, B.S.
  • ECON 001
  • MATH 011 or Math 021
  • ECON 001
  • MATH 011 or Math 021
Philosophy, B.A.*
  • PHIL 001
  • PHIL 004 or PHIL 005
 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information
Political Science, B.A.*

Political Science, B.A.
Law and Policy Emphasis*
  • POLI 001

​And at least one of the following: 

  • POLI 003 

  • POLI 005 

     

 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information

Political Science, B.A.
Comparative Politics Emphasis*
  • POLI 001
  • POLI 003
 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information
Political Science, B.A.
International Relations Emphasis*
  • POLI 001
  • POLI 005
 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information
Psychology, B.A.*
  • PSY 001
  • PSY 010
 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information

Psychology, B.A.
Health Psychology Emphasis* 

Psychology, B.A.
Social Psychology Emphasis* 
  • PSY 001
  • PSY 010
 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information
Public Health, B.A.
  • IGETC Certification
  • PH 010 
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 
  • Strongly recommended: 
  • PH 001, PH 005, BIO 003, PSY 001, ANTH 001 

 
  • IGETC Certification
  • PH 010 
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 
  • Strongly recommended: 
  • PH 001, PH 005, BIO 003, PSY 001, ANTH 001 

Public Health, B.S. 

Public Health B.S.
Pre-Med Emphasis 
  • ΜΑΤΗ 018 or PSY 10 or PH 010
  • BIO 011 and BIO 012 
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021 
  • CHEM 002 and CHEM 010 

 
  • ΜΑΤΗ 018 or PSY 10 or PH 010
  • BIO 011 and BIO 012 
  • MATH 011 or MATH 021 
  • CHEM 002 and CHEM 010 

Sociology, B.A.*

Sociology, B.A. 
Community Studies Emphasis* 

Sociology, B.A.
Health, Medicine, and Society Emphasis*

Sociology, B.A. 
Justice, Law, and Society Emphasis* 

Sociology, B.A.
Race and Racial Justice Emphasis* 

  • SOC 001

  • At least one of the following courses from the following course ranges: 

    •  SOC 011-SOC 014, or SOC 016-SOC 089

 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information
Spanish, B.A.
  • SPAN 004 or SPAN 011
  • SPAN 004 or SPAN 011
Writing Studies, B.A.*
  • At least 2 transferable courses
    • WRI 010
    • WRI 015
    • WRI 025
  • WRI 030
 Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for more information

*Starting Fall 2025 and ending the Fall 2027 application cycle, the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA) will not require transfer students to complete the major-specific transfer selection criteria to be admitted to select majors. Visit the SSHA Pilot project webpage for the list of majors and more information.

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