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.

View PDF of the Discovery Tracks

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).

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:

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:

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.

**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

**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

**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

**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.