What You Will Learn

Our Mission

The interdisciplinary major in Social Innovation will prepare you with the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to address social problems in creative, systematic, and sustainable ways.  Upon completing the major, students will develop a critical understanding of social problems, especially those that affect marginalized populations; apply interdisciplinary tools to create and evaluate solutions to social problems; gain familiarity with different pathways to social innovation, such as public policy advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and community organizing; and integrate their knowledge and experiences from inside and outside the classroom.

Global Citizenship

The SI major will help you gain critical skills necessary for a global citizen to engage in changemaking. Our core courses focus on understanding complex social problems and applying tools from social innovation and related disciplines to develop and evaluate solutions. 

Responsible Leadership

You will develop effective leadership skills through your coursework and experiential learning opportunities. Many of your classes may carry a community engagement designation which allows you to work closely with community partners to identify and design solutions for pressing social problems. These experiences will help you gain familiarity with different pathways for social innovation and the necessary skills for ethical and responsible leadership.

Productive Careers

You will be prepared for a variety of productive careers in public policy, nonprofit leadership, and community organizing after taking interdisciplinary courses focused on learning about pressing social issues connected to climate change, poverty, global health and more. Although there are many pathways to consider through the Social Innovation major, we’re confident you can develop your curriculum alongside an advisor to meet your goals.

Meaningful Lives

The Social Innovation major will give you the knowledge and skills to become a changemaker – merging passion and practice. We’ll help you leverage your knowledge of complex social problems with the interdisciplinary skills necessary to be fulfilled as you move toward a path after graduation.