HASS FAQ

Yes. Employers in all sectors want what studying the humanities and social sciences can deliver: The ability to think critically, communicate clearly and bring sound judgement to complex problems. At Stevens, the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences programs keep the critical humanities and social science core intact while adding a marketable technical edge.

It's a combination that ages well. Research tracking pay over the course of a career shows that humanities and social science majors close the gap with STEM graduates, achieving pay parity by roughly age 40. One reason: Narrow technical skills can go obsolete while durable thinking and communications skills compound over time. That’s why the pairing works: The technical edge gives Stevens graduates an early earnings boost, and the humanities core is what lets them keep rebuilding that edge as the specifics change.

Stevens’ General Education page lists the requirements that apply to every undergraduate, including School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences students.

Central to these requirements is the SUCCESS core curriculum, which includes the First-Year Experience, Foundations of Writing and Critical Inquiry, Frontiers of Technology and courses in computing and entrepreneurship.

Beyond SUCCESS, every undergraduate takes at least one science or technology course, one mathematics course and three humanities and social science courses. Because requirements vary somewhat depending on major, the most reliable source for specific School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences majors is that program’s listing in the Academic Catalog, which lays out a semester-by-semester plan. School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences students can also confirm what courses they need by working with an advisor in the school’s Center for Student Success. These advisors can walk through how general education courses fit alongside major (and minor) requirements.

Declaring a School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences major is part of applying to Stevens. On their application, students select one of the school’s programs, such as music and technology, quantitative social science or philosophy. They can also choose humanities undecided, a track that lets students explore for the first two years with guidance from faculty and advisors before settling on a major.

Applicants to the arts programs (music and technology and visual arts and technology) are encouraged, though not required, to submit a portfolio of creative work. Current Stevens students who want to switch into or add a School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences major can do so by working with the school’s Center for Student Success, which handles academic planning and advising. The Stevens Admissions website outlines how to apply, key deadlines and how to schedule a campus visit.

Yes, a term abroad adds international experience that employers and graduate programs highly value.

The Stevens Office of International Programs works to help students of any major or school fit study abroad into their degree plan. Students can study nearly anywhere in the world by enrolling at a Stevens partner university, choosing an affiliated program provider or enrolling directly at an international university.

If students cannot be away from campus for a full semester, they can choose shorter options, including intersession and summer courses, research, internships and service experiences abroad.

To plan a study abroad experience, students should work with their advisor and the Study Abroad Office (within the Office of International Programs) to determine how those courses will count toward their degree.

This school is a good fit for students who are curious about both technology and the human experience: how we create, govern and make sense of these powerful tools. Our programs are designed for students who want to study art, music, literature, philosophy or the social sciences but also seek the analytical and technical training of a tech-focused school.

Our students are makers who want to create music, games or visual art using technology. They are thinkers who want to ask hard questions about science, ethics and society. They have an interest in understanding human behavior through data analysis.

Students who wish to attend law, medical or graduate school, or who want a career that blends creativity with technology, fit well at the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. And for those still unclear on what major they wish to pursue, the humanities undecided option allows students to explore programs for two years before declaring.

The School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences offers nine undergraduate majors:

• Music and technology (B.A.)

• Visual arts and technology (B.A.)

• Science, technology and society (B.S.)

• Quantitative social science (B.S.) with concentrations in political science, psychology and sociology

• Science communication (B.A.)

• Literature, culture and media (B.A.)

• Philosophy (B.A.)

• Accelerated pre-law program (B.A. or B.S., depending on major chosen)

• Humanities undecided (students may remain undecided for their first two years before declaring their major)

Beyond majors, the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences offers 15 minors:

• Data visualization

• Film studies

• Gender studies

• History

• Literature

• Medical humanities

• Music and technology

• Philosophy

• Quantitative social science

• Pre-law and public policy

• Science communication

• Science, technology and society

• Social sciences

• Sustainability

• Visual arts and technology

The school awards a Bachelor of Science degree for its most quantitative, science-oriented majors (quantitative social science; science, technology and society). These programs lean on statistics, research methods, scientific coursework and data analysis.

The Bachelor of Arts degree is awarded for the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences’ creative and interpretive majors (music and technology; visual arts and technology; science communication; literature, culture and media; and philosophy). These programs center on creative practice, critical reading, writing and ideas.

This is a difference of focus, not of rigor. Every School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences degree shares Stevens’ technology-infused approach and the same general education core. Because each program sets its own degree type, the practical question students must ask when choosing between a program that offers a Bachelor of Arts versus a Bachelor of Science degree is: “Which subject and skills fit my goals best?” Advisors can help students determine which path lines up with the careers or graduate programs they plan to pursue.

No, neither program requires previous experience in art or music. The faculty welcome students with a wide range of backgrounds and don’t assume they’ll enter Stevens already knowing specific tools or techniques.

Both programs strongly encourage, but do not require, applicants to submit a portfolio of creative work. For a music portfolio, this might include an original track, arrangement or performance video. For visual arts, it may include examples of design, animation or other creative projects. If students choose to submit a portfolio, it’s recommended that they include a short description of their role in each project to help faculty clearly see their creativity and potential.

These are two of the programs School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences students can choose, each leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Visual arts and technology prepares students to make art with high-tech tools through project-based, studio work. Students can choose one of four concentrations: creative computation (code as artistic medium), design (visual communication and typography), game design (building 2D and 3D games) or moving image (video, animation and augmented reality/virtual reality).

Music and technology centers on hands-on music creation, recording and sound design. Students study music theory, composition, production and electronic music. The signature Creative Collaboration course sequence requires students to form an ensemble and write, perform and record original music in professional studios.

Both programs offer students access to specialized labs and equipment and help them leverage technology to expand what they can create.

Quantitative social science studies human behavior and society using quantitative data and computational methods. It combines probability, statistics and computational research methods with practice turning data into clear, usable insights.

In the quantitative social science program, students learn to measure and test social questions with tools like statistical modeling, causal inference, forecasting, text analysis, social network analysis and robust experimental design. Students choose a concentration in political science, psychology or sociology, then apply these tools in contexts like elections, public policy, human behavior, social structure and culture.

Quantitative social science students complete an original senior research thesis, which they present at Stevens’ annual Innovation Expo. Graduates are qualified to work in data-driven roles in research, policy, technology and business.

This program looks at how scientific knowledge and new technologies are created and how social forces — such as politics, culture, race and gender — shape them in turn. As a major, science, technology and society leads to a Bachelor of Science degree that combines a solid grounding in science, math and technology with the freedom to follow questions about innovation, ethics and society. Students examine issues like climate change, public health and artificial intelligence, sharpening their writing, speaking and analytical skills along the way. Many science, technology and society students add a secondary concentration like biology, computer science or pre-law and public policy and complete a senior thesis.

A related major, science communication, sits in the same area and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students in this program focus on explaining complex science and technology clearly to the public. Both majors prepare students to work at the intersection of science and society.

Many alumni choose to attend graduate or professional school. Music and technology graduates have earned advanced degrees from conservatories and research programs, including doctorates from Juilliard and Rutgers’ Mason Gross School of the Arts. Visual arts and technology graduates have entered MFA programs at schools such as Parsons and Emerson College.

Law is a common destination for science, technology and society and quantitative social science alumni. Through the Accelerated Pre-Law Program, students can move directly into Seton Hall University School of Law after just three years at Stevens.

Because School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences degrees build research, writing and analytical skills, they prepare students for a broad set of advanced programs, from the arts to the sciences to professional schools. Faculty advisors can help students plan for these next steps.

The accelerated pre-law program is the most direct route. It allows qualified students to earn a bachelor’s degree at Stevens and a law degree at Seton Hall University School of Law in six years.

If students prefer to complete the traditional four-year bachelor’s degree first, many School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences majors build the skills law schools value. The literature, culture and media, philosophy and science, technology and society majors focus more on qualitative research while quantitative social science emphasizes quantitative message.

Whatever their major, School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences students can add the pre-law and public policy minor and work with the school’s pre-law advisor to guide course choices, LSAT preparation and law school applications. By choosing a subject of genuine interest and backing it with pre-law advising, students will receive strong preparation for the transition to law school.

You can choose any major you wish and still apply to medical or dental school. But your course of study must include the math and science prerequisites the schools you apply to require. Recent School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences pre-med graduates have majored in science communications and science, technology and society.

Students interested in a health career should connect early with Stevens’ Pre-Health Advisory Program. Pre-health students are paired with an advisor to plan course sequencing regardless of their major. The Pre-Health Advisory Program also offers workshops, shadowing programs, alumni panels, test preparation and much more to help Stevens students best prepare for their medical or dental school applications.

Students can complete both their undergraduate degree and their law degree in six years rather than the standard seven, saving a full year in tuition and simplifying their law school application process.

Acceptance to this program includes provisional admission to Seton Hall University School of Law. Students follow a carefully structured study plan that allows them to complete all their School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences major requirements in three years and transfer the credits from their first year at Seton Hall back to Stevens to complete their degree as follows:

• Years 1-3 – Complete major requirements at Stevens, take LSAT

• Year 4 – Complete first-year law school requirements at Seton Hall, transfer those credits back to Stevens; earn bachelor’s degree at Stevens

• Years 5-6 – Complete law degree at Seton Hall

To enter the program, students must apply to a School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences major and have a high school GPA of at least 3.7, an SAT score of at least 1370 (or an ACT score of at least 29) and complete an interview at Stevens. After enrollment, students must maintain a 3.65 GPA at Stevens and take the LSAT. (Minimum LSAT scores are set each year by the Seton Hall University School of Law.)

School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences graduates pursue career paths in creative, technical analytical and policy fields, just to name a few.

• Music and technology alumni often become sound, audio or broadcast engineers; producers; or music programmers.

• Visual arts and technology alumni frequently take roles as UX/UI, product and graphic designers, as well as product managers.

• Quantitative social science majors commonly go into research, data analysis, user research and policy work.

• Science, technology and society graduates often find work as research assistants, scientists, care coordinators and curriculum developers in health, research or consulting.

• Many School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences graduates build careers in law, business and education.

This wide variety of career paths illustrates how combining subject expertise with technical skill can lead to jobs that are personally and financially fulfilling. School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences majors frequently complete internships, so they graduate with real-world work experience and professional connections that can help them step into great jobs immediately after graduation.

Alumni are employed across entertainment, media, technology, finance, research, government and nonprofit organizations. Here are some examples:

• Visual arts and technology

  • Graphic design coordinator, Michael Kors

  • Film unit research assistant, NBC Universal

  • Product manager, Warner Bros. Discovery

• Music and technology

  • Chief audio engineer, Peloton

  • Music programming operations coordinator, SiriusXM

  • Senior Digital Systems Engineer, ABC News

• Science, technology and society

  • Research assistant, Atlantic Council

  • Care coordinator, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

  • Health and life sciences managed services associate, PwC

• Science communication

  • Curriculum developer, National Center for Disaster Preparedness

  • Assistant communications specialist, Thornton Tomasetti

  • Communications associate, PwC

• Literature, culture and media

  • Investment writer, Franklin Templeton Investments

  • Copywriter, Macy’s

  • Speechwriter, United States Senate

• Philosophy

  • Attorney, Law Offices of Robert F. Ranalli, LLC

  • Information analyst, MDRC

  • Paralegal, U.S. Department of Justice

Within the school, the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Center for Student Success helps with academic, career and extracurricular planning. Students can also consult their faculty advisor, who can help them tie coursework to career goals and point them toward valuable applied learning opportunities. Beyond the school, students can work with Stevens’ university-wide career center for help with job searching, résumés and employer connections.

Because of Stevens’ location in Hoboken — just across the Hudson River from New York City — students have enhanced access to internships, and many students complete one or more before graduating. Stevens and the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences also host events that keep students connected with alumni working in a variety of fields. Together, these resources can help students turn their undergraduate studies into clear career paths.