Ferris State University’s College of Arts, Sciences and Education will work collaboratively
with the College of Business and College of Health Professions to offer students a
Bachelor of Science in Social Justice program beginning with the Fall 2021 semester.
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Bobby Fleischman said the development
and approval process for this new degree started before his arrival. Still, Fleischman
endorsed the program’s philosophy, believing it to be in line with founder Woodbridge
Ferris’ challenge “to make the world a better place.”
“Our Social Justice degree is very consistent with the mission, vision and values
of Ferris,” Fleischman said. “This will be an interdisciplinary program, with a curriculum
well-rooted in History, providing students the opportunity to examine movements that
have brought significant impact to society. The timing of this program’s inauguration
is good, as it will allow students to connect what they have learned to their society
and become agents of change.”
This program examines social differences within our society and the causes and consequences
of social justice and inequality, which Fleischman said should provide graduates valuable
insights they can apply to a variety of career paths.
“They can serve as health advocates and administrators with nonprofit organizations,”
Fleischman said. “Our Social Justice graduates will be important members of law firms
and criminal justice programming, along with government and educational institutions.
We will enter this program with great anticipation of the opportunities that will
come for these students and the impact they can have as agents of change in our society.”
The Board of Trustees, at its October 2020 meeting, approved the Bachelor of Science
in Social Justice.