Bold Hearts. Brilliant Minds.

Six students in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences gather outside

College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

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Don’t Just Study History — Make History

Create financial forecasts as an economist. Relate to audiences as a filmmaker. Understand and predict the behavior of others as a psychologist. And so much more. Our 60+ majors — taught by world-renowned faculty at the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS) — will help you to impact future generations!

 


Undergraduate Research

 

UCR offers research opportunities to all undergraduate students! This advantage catapults you to the “top of the list” for jobs and/or graduate school. Current CHASS research includes: 

  • Exploring the “double coming-out” experience for queer-undocumented immigrants
  • Examining eye gazing patterns in children who face anxiety
  • Awakening the “sleeping” language of a Native American tribe — thanks to a $150,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF)
Daria Kudryavtseva

“[UCR] is more than just a learning experience. Here, you can become a true scholar, a passionate thinker engaged in the world of like-minded people. Acknowledge your potential and give yourself a chance to have a journey worth being proud of.”

Daria Kudryavtseva (Economics)

 

  CHASS INTERNSHIPS

CHASS offers department-specific internships to put your learning into practice. You could earn course/service credit and maybe even a paycheck!

Steven Cabral Ballesteros - Sociology Major

“At UCR, everyone is kind and welcoming. I chose UCR over all my other options because of their willingness to assist me in accomplishing my academic goals.”

Steven Cabral Ballesteros (Sociology)

High-Profile Companies Hire CHASS Graduates

CHASS graduates go on to write international bestselling novels, create Thai royal music, receive honors as dance professors and choreographers, mentor youths, and so much more! 

The logo for DC comics
The logo from Sony Pictures
The seal of the State of California Assembly
The logo for Viking Publishing
The logo for Techtronic Industries
The logo for the Toyota USA Foundation

 

A UC Degree Is More Affordable Than You Might Think

 

 

85%

of UCR undergraduate students who applied for aid were awarded aid.

 

 

97%

of undergraduate students who were awarded aid received need-based scholarships and/or grants.

 

 

86%

of need was met with need-based aid.

(Financial Aid Office, 2022–23)

Let us show you how:  financialaid.ucr.edu


CHASS Scholarships

First-year and transfer students could qualify for a CHASS scholarship.

Prestigious Scholarships and Awards

First-year and transfer UCR students can fund their education with prestigious scholarships, such as the Donald A. Strauss Scholarship and the Undergraduate Fulbright Scholars (Research and English Teaching Award). Support is offered throughout the application process. Also available are campus scholarships, and Financial Aid's Outside Agency Scholarship Search for regional and national scholarships.

M = Academic minors are also available for these majors.

T = Transfer Selecting major. If applying as a transfer student, specific pre-requisite courses must be completed.

 

Undecided? We Can Help!

CHASS helps students successfully transition into a major field of study that is consistent with their aptitudes, values, and goals.

Learn More

 

(Majors) Take a Tour of CHASS

Journey through historic libraries, lively lecture halls, and inspiring studios.

Notable Facts

 

Award medal

Award-Winning Faculty

2 Poets Laureate and 3 Pulitzer Prize-Winning Alumni

Profile of head with internal mechanical gears

#10

in College Factual’s 2020 Best Colleges for Psychology in the United States and #4 in California.

Lightbulb with mechanical gears inside and out

65+ Years

of Interdisciplinary Innovation

Three people linked together

UCR's Largest College

  • 10,000+ Students
  • 300+ Faculty
  • 60+ Majors

Award-Winning Faculty

 

Nalo Hopkinson, professor of creative writing
NALO HOPKINSON

Professor of Creative Writing

Won a Comic-Con Inkpot Award for her contributions to science fiction, including creating “House of Whispers,” part of Neil Gaiman’s “The Sandman Universe.”

John Jennings, professor of media and cultural studies
JOHN JENNINGS

Professor of Media and Cultural Studies

Won an Eisner Award for his co-creation of “Kindred,” a graphic novel adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s work. As part of duo Black Kirby, he has created art on the evolution of Luke Cage and is poised to run comic imprint “Megascope,” by and about people of color.

 

Success Programs

Every CHASS F1RST First-Year Experience Program is designed to help you succeed.

FR First-Year Students    TR Transfer Students

Frosh Program

FR

(Mandatory for first-year students)
Ensure a successful transition a year-long learning community. Offers an automatic support system of students, faculty, teaching assistants, and peer educators. Students seeking additional support can take the HASS 001: First-Year Student Success Course during winter quarter.


Your Learning Community Helps You Succeed

Learning community students report higher grades and greater satisfaction with their UCR experience. Includes a two-unit peer-led CHFY 007: CHASS F1RST Learning Community Workshop. Learn study strategies, connect with peer educators, enjoy reserved seating in highly desirable courses, and more!

Learning Community Workshop Series

(Automatic enrollment for all students)
Connect to resources for developing skills, expanding possibilities, fulfilling individual goals, and personal growth. Learn strategies to succeed academically, personally, and professionally.

CHASS Connect Learning Community

(For students who self-select to participate)
Participate in an interdisciplinary, themed learning community that has won national awards! Includes interactions with faculty and a graduate teaching assistant, advising, effective educational practices, and an emphasis on diversity, academic success, and social enrichment.

Transfers F1RST Program 

TR

(For incoming transfer students)
Find a sense of belonging with this student-led program. Attend workshops and participate in the Transfer Mentorship Program.


HASS 001 Workshop: Step-by-Step to College Success

(For incoming transfer students)
Take a 2-unit fall lecture course taught by faculty. Discussion sections led by peer mentors (current transfer students). Topics are specific to the needs of transfer students, including:

  • Third- and fourth-year academic plans
  • Student success skills (critical thinking, study, writing, and communication)
  • Undergraduate research opportunities
  • Internships and study abroad opportunities
  • How becoming a campus leader applies to real life
  • Graduate school preparation
  • Career-planning resources and services
Two male students and two students sit at a small table with books and paper.

HASS 001 = A HIGHER GPA
Transfer students who took HASS 001 had significantly higher GPAs during their first year than those who did not.
(CHASS Study of Cohorts, 2014–15)

 

Student Spotlight

 

Student Alondra Marquez Carter, sociology and French major
ALONDRA MARQUEZ CARTER

Sociology and French

“My favorite thing about being a CHASS student is understanding how beautifully all of its disciplines overlap … CHASS causes its students to acquire a holistic understanding of human matters, creating well-rounded scholars with a solid foundation to tackle myriad individual or societal issues...”

Student Sukhmeen Kaur Kahlon, majoring in political science, and law and society
SUKHMEEN KAUR KAHLON

Political Science, and Law and Society

“Being a CHASS student means constantly rethinking the structures and systems we have always considered normal. My dream is to be an attorney who uplifts the community, advocates for the marginalized, and works to dismantle oppressive institutions.”

Student Justin Domecillo, English major
JUSTIN DOMECILLO

English

“Before CHASS, I wasn’t able to discuss, research, or write about queer topics that I loved, but here I’ve been given resources and opportunities to contribute my own voice in academia and to join conversations that have been otherwise silencing.”

Student Daria Kudryavtseva, economics major
DARIA KUDRYAVTSEVA

Economics

“[UCR] is more than just a learning experience. Here, you can become a true scholar, a passionate thinker engaged in the world of like-minded people. Acknowledge your potential and give yourself a chance to have a journey worth being proud of.”

CHASS Alumni

 

Alumni Nwaka Onwusa, sociology
NWAKA ONWUSA ’08 (Sociology)

Serves as the director of curatorial affairs for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

The daughter of a Nigerian immigrant, Onwusa is the first person in her family to attend college.

Alumni Anthea M. Hartig with a B.S. in public history and advanced degree in American architectural history and material culture studies
ANTHEA M. HARTIG ’89 (Public History) ’01 (American Architectural History and Material Culture Studies)

The first woman to serve as director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

Two beds on either side of a decorated dorm room
On-Campus Housing for First-Year CHASS Students

Live, learn, and make memories in the CHASS Living-Learning Community. Residents usually share the same major and class schedule. Includes ongoing social activities and a resident adviser who is enrolled in CHASS.

Learn More

Career Center

 

UCR’s Career Center — and Virtual Career Center — offers full-service counseling and resources, regardless of major or class level.

Includes:

  • Career and graduate/professional school planning
  • Job/internship search strategies and database
  • Skill-building workshops, employer information sessions, and panel discussions
  • 15 fairs and special events, including the Graduate and Professional School Information Day, and the Spring Job Fair: Career Night
An advertisement for the Graduate and Professional School Information Day Fair
An advertisement for Career Night: The Spring Job Fair.

 

 

 

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