The Discovery Program at Montclair State University is a comprehensive initiative coordinated by University College designed to help you select the major that is the right fit for you. From application to declaration, the Discovery Program will guide you to every step of the way.
Discovery Tracks
When you first apply as a pre-major (undeclared) student to Montclair State University, you are able to tell us about your interests by selecting a Discovery Track that represents your academic and career interests. These tracks are meant to help guide you toward choosing a major that matches your interests, skills and values from any College or School at the university. Once choosing your track in the Discovery Program, you will work with your academic advisor on major and career exploration. If your interests and goals change, so can your Discovery Track!
The Tracks
- Education, Service and Society – for students who are interested in cultural and societal issues, students who enjoy volunteering, students who may want to become teachers.
- Management and Technology – for students looking to manage or lead people, students who like to crunch data, students who may be interested in marketing or business.
- Health, Wellness and Sciences – for students who are interested in natural or social sciences, students who find emotional, mental or physical health very important to them, students who may want to pursue careers in the healthcare industry.
- Arts, Culture and Design – for students who are interested in arts and culture, students who enjoy creating, performing art, or teaching others about art and culture.
Your First Semester
Discovery students participate in coursework that reflects the theme of their Discovery track. Your courses will provide you with an academic experience that introduces you to the major and career interests that attracted you to your Discovery track.
A course within your fall program is New Student Seminar, which will facilitate your transition to the University and help you stay connected with your academic advisor. The course will engage you intellectually and socially, while also supporting your major exploration process.
Block 1 – Interest in the Humanities
General Education Category |
Course Code |
Course Title |
A – New Student Seminar |
GNED 199 |
New Student Seminar |
F1 – Great Works & Their Influences |
HUMN 285 |
Mythology |
K2 – Global Cultural Perspectives |
HIST 116 |
Modern Latin America |
K3 – Social Science Perspectives |
SOCI 104 |
Sociology of the Family |
C1 – Writing |
WRIT 105 |
College Writing I |
Block 2 – Interest in Political Science or Sociology
General Education Category |
Course Code |
Course Title |
A – New Student Seminar |
GNED 199 |
New Student Seminar |
F1 – Great Works & Their Influences |
HUMN 285 |
Mythology |
K2 – Global Cultural Perspectives |
POLS 104 |
International Security and Diplomacy |
K3 – Social Science Perspectives |
SOCI 100 |
Introduction to Sociology |
C1 – Writing |
WRIT 105 |
College Writing I |
Block 3 – Interest in Teaching
General Education Category |
Course Code |
Course Title |
A – New Student Seminar |
GNED 199 |
New Student Seminar |
C1 – Writing |
WRIT 105 |
College Writing I |
C3 – Communication |
CMST 101 |
Fundamentals of Speech |
K3 – Social Science Perspectives |
PSYC 101 |
Introduction to Psychology |
Block 1 – Interest in Computer Science
General Education Category |
Course Code |
Course Title |
A – New Student Seminar |
GNED 199 |
New Student Seminar |
G – Computer Science |
CSIT 104 |
Python Programming |
F1 – Great Works & Their Influences |
HUMN 285 |
Mythology |
C3 – Communication |
CMST 101 |
Fundamentals of Speech |
C1 – Writing |
WRIT 105 |
College Writing I |
Block 2 – Interest in Business
General Education Category |
Course Code |
Course Title |
A – New Student Seminar |
GNED 199 |
New Student Seminar |
I – Natural Science Laboratory |
EAES 101 |
Planet Earth |
L – Interdisciplinary Studies |
ECON 102 |
Applied Microeconomics |
C3 – Communication |
CMST 101 |
Fundamentals of Speech |
C1 – Writing |
WRIT 105 |
College Writing I |
Block 3 – Interest in Business Administration (Marketing)
General Education Category |
Course Code |
Course Title |
A – New Student Seminar |
GNED 199 |
New Student Seminar |
Fulfills a Major Requirement |
MKTG 240 |
Introduction to Marketing |
F2 – Philosophical & Religious Perspectives |
PHIL 106 |
Logic |
C3 – Communication |
CMST 101 |
Fundamentals of Speech |
C1 – Writing |
WRIT 105 |
College Writing I |
Block 1 – Interest in Biology
General Education Category |
Course Code |
Course Title |
A – New Student Seminar |
GNED 199 |
New Student Seminar |
I – Natural Science Laboratory |
BIOL 112 |
Principles of Biology I |
F1 – Great Works & Their Influences |
HUMN 115 |
Troy and the Trojan War |
J – Physical Education |
PEGN 278 |
Yoga |
C1 – Writing |
WRIT 105 |
College Writing I |
Block 2 – Interest in Medical Humanities
General Education Category |
Course Code |
Course Title |
A – New Student Seminar |
GNED 199 |
New Student Seminar |
I – Natural Science Laboratory |
BIOL 110 |
The Biology of Human Life |
L – Interdisciplinary Studies |
MEDH 101 |
Introduction to Medical Humanities |
J – Physical Education |
PEGN 257 |
Weight Training |
C1 – Writing |
WRIT 105 |
College Writing I |
Block 3 – Interest in Nutrition
General Education Category |
Course Code |
Course Title |
A – New Student Seminar |
GNED 199 |
New Student Seminar |
I – Natural Science Laboratory |
EAES 101 |
Planet Earth |
K3 – Social Science Perspectives and World Cultures |
NUFD 153 |
Dynamics of Food & Society |
J – Physical Education |
PEGN 257 |
Weight Training |
C1 – Writing |
WRIT 105 |
College Writing I |
Block 1 – Interest in the Arts
General Education Category |
Course Code |
Course Title |
A – New Student Seminar |
GNED 199 |
New Student Seminar |
D – Fine & Performing Arts |
ARFD 100 |
Perceptual Drawing |
F1 – Great Works & Their Influences |
VIST 105 |
Global Foundations in Art |
F2 – Philosophical & Religious Perspectives |
RELG 221 |
Religion and Culture |
C1 – Writing |
WRIT 105 |
College Writing I |
Block 2 – Interest in Fashion
General Education Category |
Course Code |
Course Title |
A – New Student Seminar |
GNED 199 |
New Student Seminar |
D – Fine & Performing Arts |
ARFD 100 |
Perceptual Drawing |
L – Interdisciplinary Studies |
CRTH 151 |
Creative Thinking |
C3 – Communication |
CMST 101 |
Fundamentals of Speech |
C1 – Writing |
WRIT 105 |
College Writing I |
Block 3 – Interest in Communication
General Education Category |
Course Code |
Course Title |
A – New Student Seminar |
GNED 199 |
New Student Seminar |
Fulfills a Major Requirement |
CMST 110 |
Introduction to Communication |
D – Fine & Performing Arts |
MUGN 100 |
Introduction to Music |
C3 – Communication |
CMST 101 |
Fundamentals of Speech |
C1 – Writing |
WRIT 105 |
College Writing I |
Academic Advising
By working through a success plan personalized for you, your academic advisor will guide you throughout your exploration process to help you narrow your options down to more specific fields of study. This will be an active process in which you will complete activities, self-assessments, and connect with various departments across campus, including Career Services. In doing so, you will also develop a better understanding of the relationship between your academic interests and career interests and develop a path toward graduation. Connecting with Faculty & the Campus Community is integral to the major exploration process is connecting with the curricular and co-curricular areas of the campus. University College has worked with faculty and the academic departments to set up events for you to attend and learn more about the majors offered at the University. There are also a number of activities coordinated by the Schools and Colleges that are fantastic ways for you to learn more about their fields and disciplines. Check them out and sign up on Engage!