In an effort to help students gain the knowledge they need to solving society’s biggest challenges — creating real change in an industry, organization or community — Montclair State University recently announced it is launching the Interdisciplinary School for Social Transformation.
Through interdisciplinary educational programs, collaborative research and scholarship and partnership with the community, students will learn to have societal impact like never before.
The school, which will be housed in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, aims to connect all disciplines across the university.
Laura Nicosia, the interim director of school, breaks it down this way.
“Real problems are never one-dimensional,” she said. “Our students learn to approach challenges from multiple angles, developing the adaptability and innovation that today’s world demands.”
Montclair officials said the school’s inception was motivated by the fact that the biggest problems in society – and the most transformational innovations – defy the boundaries of traditional academic disciplines.
Coursework in the new school will aim to prepare students to thrive and succeed in a rapidly changing world, drawing on mental models, perspectives and methods from more than one discipline – or “interdisciplinary curriculum” – at the institution.
Montclair State officials say the Interdisciplinary School for Social Transformation is for students who are curious, creative and eager to explore big questions and complex challenges while tapping into a variety of disciplinary areas.
“The new school will further stimulate existing interdisciplinary programs and initiatives and inspire new ones across the university,” Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Fatma Mili said.
The goal is to educate students who will graduate with a well-rounded, adaptable skill set designed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce and who are ready to make an impact in fields including public policy, health care administration, nonprofit leadership, digital communications, wellness advocacy, education and user experience design.
“Our students will graduate ready to lead with purpose, empathy and vision,” Nicosia said. “By learning to address societal challenges at their roots, they gain the adaptability and problem-solving skills that prepare them for success in careers wherever innovation and leadership are needed.”
The school is designed to prepare students for a lifetime of professional and intellectual flexibility.
Faculty from disciplines across Montclair will collaborate to create and deliver coursework in one of three concentrations:
Health and Wellness will focus on the intersection of health sciences and societal well-being to address topics like nutrition, public health and wellness promotion. Students will learn to develop and implement health initiatives, preparing for roles in healthcare, community health and wellness coaching.
Technology, Self and Society will allow students to explore subjects such as digital culture, ethics in technology and the psychological effects of technological advancement. Graduates will be equipped to navigate and influence the evolving digital landscape in fields like tech policy, user experience design and digital communications.
Exploring Human Value, Solving Human Problems will allow students to engage with various social and human topics such as justice, ethics, and human rights, preparing for careers in public service, advocacy, prelaw, and community engagement.
In addition, the school’s new Social Impact Certificate, launching in September, will give students the chance to earn a credential while taking 13 credits – three of which will be a field internship – to learn how to make a difference in the world.
“The Interdisciplinary School for Social Transformation will ignite imaginations, further stimulate interdisciplinary innovation, promote future forward thinking and create lasting transformational impact on people and society,” Provost Junius Gonzales said.
