At Stevens, there’s a new school of computing. At Rowan, there’s a new school for financial planning.
Montclair State is launching a school for social transformation. Drew went a step farther, it announced a school that it feels will radically reframe higher education.
At a time when some are questioning whether a four-year degree is what’s needed in this day and age, universities up and down the state are announcing new schools that show they are keeping up with the times.
Consider:
Stevens: School of Computing
Stevens Institute of Technology aims to launch a School of Computing this fall. University officials say the school, which will be supported through an initial $36 million in philanthropic support, aims to position Stevens to lead in AI and computing education and research as these technologies reshape how every industry operates and what skills employers demand.
Stevens officials say the School of Computing responds to a fundamental shift in the technology workforce: Employers increasingly seek graduates who can integrate computational expertise with deep domain knowledge rather than pure coding skills alone.
The School of Computing will enable innovative programs that blend computing with life sciences, finance, engineering and other areas, preparing graduates not just for technical roles but for leadership positions in industries transformed by AI. Stevens’ longstanding expertise in cutting edge physical technology offers a unique opportunity for School of Computing students to apply digital technology innovations to other fields.
Rowan: School of Financial Planning
Rowan University is establishing a School of Financial Planning — and it is doing so with a landmark $10 million commitment by Edelman Financial Engines.
The school will be designed to address the nation’s increasing shortage of qualified financial planning professionals. It will be distinguished by curriculum at undergraduate and graduate levels, with an emphasis on preparing students to attain the Certified Financial Planner professional designation.
Millions of Americans are approaching retirement — but so are many financial advisers. As a result, the industry is projected to face a shortage of 100,000 advisers within the next decade.
Despite this, fewer than 200 U.S. colleges offer financial planning degrees — compared with nearly 1,500 offering business degrees.
Montclair State: Interdisciplinary School for Social Transformation
In an effort to help students gain the knowledge they need to solve society’s biggest challenges — creating real change in an industry, organization or community — Montclair State University launched 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, housed in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, aims to connect all disciplines across the university.
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.
Drew University: New College
Drew has launched a new college dedicated to reimagining the landscape of higher education. The new academic unit aims to support students with highly individualized learning pathways leveraging emerging technologies to prepare them for rapidly evolving professional and civic challenges.
The new college will operate alongside the existing College of Liberal Arts, Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, and Drew Theological School. Its mission is to expand access to an affordable Drew education for a diverse range of students, from high school graduates to retired professionals and those seeking industry upskilling.
The initial cohort will dedicate half of their course schedule to a program designed to fast-track their ability to create cross-disciplinary studies focused on their individual passions and real-time problem-solving.
Rowan: Shreiber Schoolof Veterinary Medicine
Calling it a ‘new leash on learning,’ Rowan opened the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, marking a historic milestone as New Jersey’s first and only veterinary school.
The school positions Rowan as one of only two public universities nationwide to grant D.V.M., D.O., and M.D. degrees, furthering its status as one of the fastest-growing public research universities in the Northeast.
The school’s development was fueled by significant commitment, including $75 million approved by the state Legislature in 2021 for the construction of its primary academic and clinical facility.
The institution is named after business leader and longtime Rowan supporter Gerald Shreiber, who pledged $30 million to support the school and student scholarships.
