Four students sitting on brick ledge outside of Dickson Hall during the Summer Bridge Program researching different campus resources on laptops and notebooks.

Discovery Program

The Discovery Program is a dynamic, comprehensive initiative that is exclusive to the University College exploration experience, specially designed to help you select the major that is the right fit for you. From application to Montclair to declaration into your future major, the Discovery Program will serve as your exploration roadmap guiding you every step of the way.

As a new pre-major (undeclared) student entering Montclair State University, you have the exciting opportunity to tailor your academic journey by selecting a Discovery Track that aligns with your values, interests and aspirations. These four Tracks are meant to help you identify an academic pathway that connects your passions and ambitions to one or more of Montclair’s over 200+ majors, minors and certificate options. Once you’ve selected a Track, as part of your First-Year Questionnaire, you’ll work closely with your academic advisor to explore different majors related to those pathways, as well as different career options. If your goals and interests change as you experience Montclair State University, so too can your Discovery Track as you explore new horizons!

The Tracks

Please note: You can pursue Teacher Education Certification through any of the four Discovery Tracks and can select a Track that best aligns with your teaching interests and goals.

Arts, Culture and Design

Designed for students who:

  • Consider themselves creative
  • Are interested in fine and/or media arts, and culture
  • Enjoy creating, performing or teaching others about art and culture

 

Potential major options include, but are not limited to:

Explore alternative options in the College of the Arts (CART).

Business, Mathematics and Technology

Designed for students who:

  • Like to innovate with new technology
  • Enjoy working with numbers and data
  • Are interested in corporate culture
  • Enjoy teaching others about mathematics or technology

 

Potential major options include, but are not limited to:

 

Explore alternative options in the following Colleges and Schools:

Health, Medicine and the Sciences

Designed for students who:

  • Are interested in the sciences
  • Find emotional, mental or physical health very important to them
  • May want to pursue careers in the health and wellness industry
  • Enjoy teaching others about science or health

 

Potential major options include, but are not limited to:

 

Explore alternative options in the following Colleges, Schools and Programs:

Social Justice, Public Service and the Humanities

Designed for students who:

  • Are interested in learning about/or investigating cultural and societal issues
  • Enjoy volunteering, serving their community or advocating for others
  • Enjoy teaching others

 

Potential major options include, but are not limited to:

 

Explore alternative options in the following Colleges, Schools and Programs:

Your First Semester

During your first semester at Montclair, you’ll participate in coursework that reflects the theme of your selected Discovery Track, offering you a firsthand glimpse into your future major. One highlight that is a cornerstone of your discovery experience is the New Student Seminar, which will facilitate your transition into the University, forge strong connections with your academic advisor and help foster a sense of belonging within University College and at Montclair. It is designed to engage you intellectually and socially, while supporting and informing your major exploration journey.

Sample course blocks related to each Discovery Track are outlined below.

Arts, Culture and Design - Sample Course Blocks
Block 1 – Interest in the Arts
SEEDS Category Course Code Course Title
New Student Seminar Requirement GNED 199 New Student Seminar
Creative Expression ARST 205 Photography
Literary and Artistic Analysis VIST 106 Modern Visions
Political and Civic Life RELG 221 Religion and Culture
Effective Writing I WRIT 105 College Writing I
Block 2 – Interest in Fashion
SEEDS Category Course Code Course Title
New Student Seminar Requirement GNED 199 New Student Seminar
Literary and Artistic Analysis VIST 106 Modern Visions
Creative Expression ARST 205 Photography
Interactive Communication CMST 101 Fundamentals of Speech
Effective Writing I WRIT 105 College Writing I
Block 3 – Interest in Communication
SEEDS Category Course Code Course Title
New Student Seminar Requirement GNED 199 New Student Seminar
Fulfills a Major Requirement CMST 110 Introduction to Communication
Literary and Artistic Analysis MUGN 100 Introduction to Music
Interactive Communication CMST 101 Fundamentals of Speech
Effective Writing I WRIT 105 College Writing I
Business, Mathematics and Technology - Sample Course Blocks
Block 1 – Interest in Computer Science
SEEDS Category Course Code Course Title
New Student Seminar Requirement GNED 199 New Student Seminar
Fulfills a Major Requirement CSIT 104 Python Programming
Literary and Artistic Analysis HUMN 285 Mythology
Interactive Communication CMST 101 Fundamentals of Speech
Effective Writing I WRIT 105 College Writing I
Block 2 – Interest in Business Administration 
SEEDS Category Course Code Course Title
New Student Seminar Requirement GNED 199 New Student Seminar
I – Natural Science Laboratory EAES 101 Planet Earth
K3 – Social Science Perspectives ECON 101 Applied Macroeconomics
Interactive Communication CMST 101 Fundamentals of Speech
Effective Writing I WRIT 105 College Writing I
Block 3 – Interest in Business Administration
SEEDS Category Course Code Course Title
New Student Seminar Requirement GNED 199 New Student Seminar
Fulfills a Major Requirement MGMT 201 Business Ethics and Social Impact
Ethical Inquiry PHIL 105 Philosophy of Happiness
Interactive Communication CMST 101 Fundamentals of Speech
Effective Writing I WRIT 105 College Writing I
Health, Medicine and the Sciences - Sample Course Blocks
Block 1 – Interest in Biology
SEEDS Category Course Code Course Title
New Student Seminar Requirement GNED 199 New Student Seminar
Scientific Reasoning BIOL 112 Principles of Biology I
Ethical Inquiry HUMN 115 Troy and the Trojan War
Historical Thinking HIST 118 History of the U.S.
Effective Writing I WRIT 105 College Writing I
Block 2 – Interest in Public Health
SEEDS Category Course Code Course Title
New Student Seminar Requirement GNED 199 New Student Seminar
Scientific Reasoning BIOL 110 The Biology of Human Life
Political and Civic Life HLTH 102 Introduction to Public Health
Ethical Inquiry PHIL 105 Happiness and Meaning of Life
Effective Writing I WRIT 105 College Writing I
Block 3 – Interest in Nutrition
SEEDS Category Course Code Course Title
New Student Seminar Requirement GNED 199 New Student Seminar
Scientific Reasoning NUFD 192 Nutrition with Lab
Literary and Artistic Analysis MUGN 100 Introduction to Music
Ethical Inquiry PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy
Effective Writing I WRIT 105 College Writing I
Social Justice, Public Service and the Humanities - Sample Course Blocks
Block 1 – Interest in the Humanities 
SEEDS Category Course Code Course Title
New Student Seminar Requirement GNED 199 New Student Seminar
Literary and Artistic Analysis HUMN 285 Mythology
Historical Thinking HIST 118 History of the US
Political and Civic Life SOCI 102 Racial and Ethnic Relations
Effective Writing I HUMN 288 Mythic Traditions
Block 2 – Interest in Political Science
SEEDS Category Course Code Course Title
New Student Seminar Requirement GNED 199 New Student Seminar
Literary and Artistic Analysis HUMN 285 Mythology
Politic and Civic Life POLS 101 American Government and Politics
Scientific Reasoning EAES 150 General Oceanography
Effective Writing I HUMN 160 Digital Transformations in Humanities
Block 3 – Interest in Elementary Education / Teacher Education Certification
SEEDS Category Course Code Course Title
New Student Seminar Requirement GNED 199 New Student Seminar
Effective Writing I WRIT 105 College Writing I
Interactive Communication CMST 101 Fundamentals of Speech
Teacher Education Requirement PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology

Exploratory Academic Advising

Your academic advisor will help you create a personalized academic plan to guide you through your major and career exploration process to help you narrow down your options. This active, collaborative process will include completing activities and self-assessments, and connecting with various departments and offices across campus, including Career Services. In doing so, you will gain insight into how your academic and career interests align and create a path toward graduating from your new College or School.

Connecting with faculty, staff and the campus community is crucial to your success as a Montclair State University student. Throughout the year, we host a variety of exploratory events for you to discover something new and learn about different majors; the Colleges and Schools also host a variety of programs and events to help you further explore their majors and related career fields. To learn more about these exploratory events, or to check out what else is happening on campus, please visit Engage.