The Communication and Media minor at UC Merced is a dynamic and interdisciplinary program that combines the social science, humanities and the arts. Students will be exposed to coursework that focus on human communication in diverse media through topics such as Interpersonal Communication, Communication and Technology, Social Media, Media Industries, Popular Culture, and Health Communication. Students across UC Merced are welcome to join the minor.The courses in the major aim to prepare students for theories, methods, and applied studies in Communication and Media. Every student in the major is required to take a capstone class their senior year that gives them the opportunity to create a meaningful culminating project. The program of study balances required courses with open electives to enable students to specialize in their area of interest. For more information on General Education and other University requirements consult the Communication and Media, B.A. Four-Year Course Plan and Course Catalog.
Lower Division Major Requirements (16 Units)
Two introductory courses (8 units)
Two Introductory Social Science and Humanities courses (8 units)
Upper Division Major Requirements (32 Units)
Writing in the Discipline (4 units)
Methods (4 units)
Capstone (4 units)
Upper Division Electives (20 units)
48 total required units
For Transfer Students
Welcome to UC Merced! Transfer students from community colleges who wish to major in Communication and Media should complete the University of California Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) at their current schools. Transfer students will require specific major preparation to be accepted into the program. Transfer students can declare a Communication major starting in Fall 2026.
Transfer Selection Criteria - Applicants will at the time of admission have completed at least two the following courses (or their equivalent) with a “B” or better:
COMM 015: Intercultural Communication
COMM 017: Introduction to Media and Performance Studies
COMM 060: Introduction to Linguistics
COMM 001: Speech Traditions Units: 4
COMM 002: Argument and Debate Units: 4
COMM 003: Interpersonal Communication Units: 4
COMM 004: Small Group Communication Units: 4
COMM 016: Forensics Units: 4
COMM 018: Introduction to Communication Theory Units: 4
CRES 001: Introduction to Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Units: 4
Program Student Learning Outcomes
1. Explain and critically engage key concepts in communication and media.
2. Analyze messages, systems of message production, and the effects of messages.
3. Create persuasive, informative, and ethical messages in oral, written and/or digital media.
4. Interrogate forms of power and the impact of communication and media structures, institutions, and platforms.
5. Apply communication and media theories and methods.
6. Develop communication strategies to address real-world events, issues, or problems.
