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Communication transfer to UC Merced

What UC Merced expects communication transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Merced’s own preparation and selection rules, UC’s shared course list, the TAG terms and your odds.

Checked against official UC and campus sources in November 2026.

At a glance

Fall 2026 campus admit rate
67.5%
Screens applicants
Yes
TAG GPA line
2.80
Admits transfers
Yes

UC Merced’s fall 2026 snapshot covers all transfer applicants. It doesn’t publish admit rates by major.

What Merced expects

  • Communications and Media, B.A.

    Courses to finish

    Fall 2027 applicants complete two of COMM 001, 002, 003, 004, 015, 016, 017, 018, 060, or CRES 001. Source

    Selection

    For Fall 2027, each of the two required courses must be completed with a B or better. Source

    Also note

    The major offers Linguistics and Media Production emphases. Source

    Every Merced major

    UC Merced's Fall 2027 major preparation page sets a minimum GPA of 2.4 for California residents and 2.8 for nonresidents in the Schools of Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA). Source

    UC Merced states that the primary selection criterion for junior-level transfer students is completion of the required major preparation, with GPA, grade trends, and other factors also considered. Source

    Students entering UC Merced in fall 2027, 2028, or 2029 who complete an approved Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) in the major they apply to, meet the junior-level GPA requirement, and meet the other listed conditions may qualify for guaranteed admission and a $4,000 annual scholarship for up to two years. Listed ADT majors include Biological Sciences (B.A. and B.S.), Anthropology, History, Political Science, Liberal Studies, and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. Source

UC’s shared course list

UC’s Communication Transfer Pathway lists the courses that prepare you for this major at every campus, UC Merced included. Where Merced’s own list above asks for more, follow the campus.

CourseStatus
StatisticsRequired
Introduction to communication studies (mass and interpersonal communication, 1 or 2 terms depending on college)Required
Symbolic logicChoose 1 of 3: logic/CS/cultural studies
Introduction to computer scienceChoose 1 of 3: logic/CS/cultural studies
Introduction to cultural studies / culture and communication studiesChoose 1 of 3: logic/CS/cultural studies
Public speakingChoose 3 of 4: breadth
LinguisticsChoose 3 of 4: breadth
Introduction to psychologyChoose 3 of 4: breadth
Introduction to sociologyChoose 3 of 4: breadth

Paste your course titles to see which items they cover.

Your results show here: every item on the list, and which of your courses covers it.

This reads course titles. Whether a course counts at a campus is set by ASSIST, so confirm each one there.

TAG for this major

UC Merced’s TAG covers communication for fall 2027 at a 2.80 UC-transferable GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.

UC Merced TAG requirements and timing

Your odds

Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC Merced for communication.

3.40

Target

About 50–96% in regular review for applicants like you

With a TAG on file for Communication, admission is guaranteed from a 2.80, which you meet. Filing for fall 2027 closed September 30, 2026.

  • Major preparation is the factor UC readers weigh most for transfers — often ahead of GPA.

Regular-review estimate for a California resident on track for 60 units and the 7-course pattern, with major prep unconfirmed. The full calculator adds your prep, residency and TAG status.

The same major at other campuses

CampusScreens applicantsTAG
UC BerkeleyNot statedNo TAG
UCLAYesNo TAG
UC San DiegoNoNo TAG
UC DavisNo3.20
UC Santa BarbaraNo3.40

All nine campuses side by side

Other majors at UC Merced

Questions

What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Merced for communication?

UC Merced doesn’t publish a GPA for this major. The middle half of admitted transfers had GPAs from 2.97 to 3.68 for fall 2024, the latest range published. A TAG needs at least a 2.80.

What classes do I need to transfer to UC Merced for communication?

Fall 2027 applicants complete two of COMM 001, 002, 003, 004, 015, 016, 017, 018, 060, or CRES 001. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.

Is communication selective or screened at UC Merced?

Yes. UC Merced screens transfer applicants for it. For Fall 2027, each of the two required courses must be completed with a B or better.

Can I get a TAG for communication at UC Merced?

Yes, for fall 2027, with at least a 2.80 GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.

Sources

  1. UC: UC Merced transfer admit data
  2. Merced: Communication preparation
  3. Merced: Communication notes
  4. Merced: transfer rules for every major
  5. Merced: transfer rules for every major
  6. UC Transfer Pathways: Communication
  7. UC TAG Matrix, fall 2027
  8. ASSIST