The School for Global Inclusion and Social Development at the UMass Boston (MA ICI UCEDD) Announces Official Opening
November 26, 2013
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The new School for Global Inclusion and Social Development (SGISD) at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) received full approval for its curriculum in both masters and doctoral programs in global inclusion and social development from the MA Board of Higher Education. With this exciting news, the school is now officially open and accepting applications for its first masters class in January 2014.
The School is focused on exploring why groups are left out from their communities worldwide. Topics of exclusion studied might include disability, gender, age, sexual orientation, global location, and more. The School seeks to identify how more inclusive communities can be built through transdisciplinary study, research, and activity, and will prepare its students for leadership roles in inclusion. Graduates can expect positions in community development and advocacy, or education, research, and policy.
Dr. William Kiernan, who is both dean of the School as well as director of its primary research center, the Institute for Community Inclusion, said, "We are thrilled to receive full approval as we expand our expertise in inclusion internationally. We look forward to working with other disciplines across UMass Boston to foster collaboration, as we work to create solutions for change, from our communities in Boston, to other countries around the world."
Students who enroll in the School will also select a concentration track to pair with their studies in global inclusion and social development, such as rehabilitation counseling, vision studies, and transition leadership. Rehabilitation Counseling and Vision Studies are also offered as additional masters programs within the School, with Transition Leadership also offered as a certificate. Additional concentrations will be available by September 2014 and will include the option to create an independent plan of study and take classes in other departments at UMass Boston.
Three new faculty were hired in the development of SGISD including rehabilitation counseling professors Dr. Dimity Peter and Dr. James Soldner, and international human rights lawyer Dr. Gillian MacNaughton, who will teach of the School's key courses this spring, SGISD 605 International Responses to Social Inclusion. Taught online, SGISD 605 is open to students studying in the School or other departments at UMass Boston, as well as non-degree students. Interested individuals can register as of November 4, 2013, here.
The school will offer all of its core classes in September 2014, which will mark the start of its inaugural PhD class. More information on the school's exciting developments, course information, and admission and registration details can be found on its website.
