Dean: Marietta Morrissey, Ph.D.
Associate Dean: Luis Montesinos, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean: Carlos Ortiz, M.F.A.

In the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), traditional liberal studies serve as the foundation of a university education. The college's curriculum emphasizes the development of analytic skills, communication skills and social understanding. Our students can study the traditional liberal studies, such as philosophy and literature, along with courses on the vanguard of contemporary developments, such as cognitive science and film studies. Degrees in this college are recognized as excellent preparation for any number of careers, or for professional and graduate study.

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences provides students with several applied study options: internships, apprenticeships, and field study programs. Many departments offer clinical training or professional certificate programs, including teacher certification. A growing number of CHSS faculty offer service-learning courses, in which coursework is linked to community development projects.

A highlight of CHSS is its interdisciplinary programs, each of which allows students to explore a theme or area of interest from a number of perspectives. Students interested in Latin American issues, for example, can study Latino/a history and literature as well as the sociological and psychological factors that affect cultural identity. All of the interdisciplinary programs in CHSS provide students with a unique educational opportunity - for integrated study beyond the bounds of any one discipline.

Foreign language programs in the College offer excellent opportunities for students to immerse themselves in another language and culture through our study abroad programs. Typically, the college offers several such programs each year, in places such as London, Nice, Madrid, Sicily,  Siena, and Guadalajara.

Faculty in the college are leaders in the use of educational technology. In addition to using in-class technology, such as computer-aided instruction and innovative software, many faculty supplement their courses with some form of web-based learning. Some courses are taught entirely on the web or via live synchronous learning.

The courses of study within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences have been at the core of the educational enterprise at MSU since it was established one hundred years ago. The college continues to focus its energies, grow, develop, and change, in order to provide students with the very best in the liberal arts and social science traditions.