Introduction to the Major
The Celtic Studies major is designed to give students both a broad understanding of the place of Celtic languages and cultures, and a firm grounding in one or more Celtic languages. We offer language instruction in Modern Irish and Modern Welsh. The Celtic Studies major has an innovative linkage of language and literature-in-translation courses intended to allow students maximum flexibility in pursuing their studies.
UC Berkeley's is the first degree-granting Celtic Studies program in North America, starting in 1911.
Additional Options
- Celtic Studies accepts freshmen and transfer students.
- Already have an intended major but interested in Celtic Studies? Consider a Celtic minor or double major. Our students have also studied Computer Science, Linguistics, History, Anthropology.
Amplify Your Major
- Immerse yourself in Celtic language and literature through study abroad
- Apply for a FLAS award to support your language study.
- Attend the California Celtic Conference.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
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Review major and college requirements
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Enroll in L&S 1 and learn about study options in L&S.
Connect and Build Community
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Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect.
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Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center
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Explore the Berkeley Language Center.
Discover Your Passions
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
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Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options in Ireland with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library
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Develop a plan for getting career ready.
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Set up a Handshake account and sign up for CareerMail
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Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Complete CELTIC 70 and your lower division language requirements and declare the major
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Review the major guidelines for study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
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Sign up for the Celtic Studies email list and start attending department events.
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Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
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Explore resources from the Irish Studies Program.
Discover Your Passions
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Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course
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Assist faculty in research through URAP.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend an event of the Irish Literary and Historical Society
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Contribute to a community organization with an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course
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Go on a service-learning trip with the Alternative Breaks Program.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator
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Check out the Cal Job Shadow Program
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Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
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Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Focus on upper division requirements in literature, culture, language coursework, and electives.
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Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor
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Ask your major advisor about the Celtic Studies honors program.
Connect and Build Community
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Work with peers and graduate students in HUM 196: Mentored-Research and Discovery Groups.
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Attend the California Celtic Conference.
Discover Your Passions
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Apply for a FLAS award to support your language study.
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Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF
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Curious about entrepreneurship? Enroll in HUM120: Entrepreneurship for All.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital
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Get international work experience with a Berkeley Global Internship in Dublin.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Learn about career fields and conduct informational interviews with people in those fields.
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Discuss graduate school options with advisors and professors.
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Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
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Attend career and graduate school fairs.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
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Complete any “bucket list” courses.
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Finish remaining major, college, and campus requirements
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Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Connect and Build Community
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Practice your language skills while helping others learn in the SLC Language Exchange Program
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Get support for your thesis project in the Townsend Honors Thesis Workshop
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Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course
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Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.
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Apply for the European Studies Undergraduate Paper Prize.
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Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program
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Explore service opportunities after graduation such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State
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Apply to the Mitchell Scholarship for post-graduate study in Ireland.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
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Attend Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting
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Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Jobs and Employers
- Bank of Ireland
- Independent Filmmaker
- Professor, Swansea University
Graduate Programs
- Archaeology, PhD Oxford University
- Celtic Languages & Literatures, PhD Harvard University
- Comparative Literature, PhD UCLA
- English, PhD Yale University
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit celtic.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can drop in to 6303A Dwinelle Hall to speak with an advisor or email questions to issaug@berkeley.edu
Advising Drop-In Hours
Monday - Friday 8:30am-5pm
Visit celtic.berkeley.edu for more information, including all major and minor requirements.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
