College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Diverse Stories, Endless Possibilities
At the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, everything we do is focused on preparing students to help shape, inform and engage civil society. We provide thousands of students with a foundation for a lifetime of learning by examining the social, cultural, and political forces that influence our world. Our students are trained to ask profound questions about humanity and to explore ideas that can drive meaningful change. We prepare you to think big and to develop solutions that promote justice and inclusion in communities both locally and globally.
About the College
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) is Montclair’s largest college, with more than 5,000 undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students. CHSS is a vibrant academic home for outstanding scholars and instructors committed to both traditional and interdisciplinary learning. Together, they advance the college’s mission to provide academically rigorous and relevant programs that support the development of an informed and engaged civil society.
Our programs equip students with the ability to discover, create, evaluate, apply, and share knowledge—preparing them to think critically, act ethically, and lead with purpose in their communities. The college is responsive to societal needs through collaborative, use-inspired research and graduate programs that empower students to apply their learning in constructive, practical, and meaningful ways that benefit both local and global communities.
Our Mission
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences advances the common good…
- By developing students’ ability to experience, investigate, and design human experiences, systems, and narratives
- By preparing future generations for responsible citizenship and public service
- By leading in the development and delivery of curricula to the whole university community, including General Education
- By offering itself in communication and aid of our broader community and the general public through education, advocacy, and public engagement
- By advancing research, creative inquiry, and scholarship around timely and consequential issues
Student Resources
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center is a one-stop experience for our student's career, internship and academic advising needs!
Academic Advising
Meet with an academic advisor to map out your courses and degree requirements, and confirm your milestones and timeline to graduation.
Career Development
We support your career development at every state, whether you’re exploring majors, building experience, or preparing for what comes next.
Schools and Departments
School of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences
The School of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences advances the scientific understanding of human behavior, the mind, and language-based communication. Anchored by comprehensive programs in Psychology and Linguistics, the School promotes interdisciplinary research and education that examine how people think, feel, learn, interact, and use language.
Our Departments
School of Social Sciences
Bringing together the fields of anthropology, history, justice studies, political science and law, and sociology—and working collaboratively across the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the wider university—the School of Social Sciences fosters intellectual inquiry and experiential learning while promoting rigorous scholarship, inclusive excellence, and public engagement.
Our Departments
School for the Humanities
Interdisciplinary by nature, the School for the Humanities provides a rigorous scholarly environment within which students can discover and define their relation to past and present; to politics and religion; to art, language, and technology; and to themselves. Humanities is the intellectual, expressive, and creative nexus that links all of the activity in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Our Departments
School for Interdisciplinary Studies
Through interdisciplinary programs, collaborative research, and partnerships with the community, the School for Interdisciplinary Studies helps students develop new ways of thinking and create meaningful solutions to real-world problems. Our work is guided by empathy, purpose, and a commitment to social justice. Students in the School build intellectual agility, learn to work across disciplines, and tackle complex issues from multiple perspectives.
Our Departments and Programs
Meet the Dean
Dr. Amy S. Thompson earned her Ph.D. in Second Language Studies and a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Michigan State University. Before joining Montclair, she served as Director of the School of Teacher Education and Mack and Effie Campbell Distinguished Professor at Florida State University, following leadership roles at West Virginia University as Inaugural Director of International Relations and Strategic Planning, Founding Co-Director of the English Language Learning Institute, and Chair of the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Linguistics.
A nationally recognized scholar in applied linguistics, her research focuses on multilingualism, language learning, linguistic racism and native-speakerism, women in higher education, and higher education leadership. She has authored more than 55 peer-reviewed publications and has received the Modern Language Association’s Association of Language Departments Award for Distinguished Service to the Profession.
College Leadership
The Dean's Office supports the College of Humanities and Social Sciences through leadership, academic administration, communications, finance, faculty affairs, student success, and operational services.
Jessica Brandt
- Associate Dean for Curriculum and Enrollment Management
Courtney Cunningham
- Assistant Dean for Student Services
Evelyn De Jesus-Quiles
- Assistant Dean for Finance, Facilities, and Administration
Leslie Wilson
- Associate Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
CHSS News
CHSS Events
Contact Us
- chss@montclair.edu
- Dickson Hall 401