College History
Established in 2023, the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media seeks to improve the human condition by collaborating across distinct fields that uniquely complement one another. Expression underpins all facets of the new College’s portfolio – media as a form of education and artistic expression; teaching and learning as modes of creative expression; and self-expression as a vehicle of social agency.
Through the direction of exceptional faculty and dynamic, cross-disciplinary curricula, the College seeks to improve the human condition by collaborating across distinct fields that uniquely complement one another.
Our History
The College brings together Seton Hall’s former College of Education and Human Services and the College of Communication and the Arts, creating a powerful synergy that propels the College’s distinct mission to improve the human condition through collaboration.
The College of Education and Human Services traces its roots back to the 1920s, when six courses were offered by the Department of Education in the College of Arts and Sciences at what was then known as Seton Hall College. Since then, the College grew steadily in both scope and stature. Baccalaureate programs were eventually supplemented by graduate-level and doctor-level degrees in areas ranging from teaching and educational leadership to psychology and individual and family counseling. More recently, the College enhanced its offerings through the application of technology in education to enhance pedagogy inside the classroom and expand access to professional degrees and certifications through online learning.
A consistent through line in this rich history is the excellence of its faculty, who have continued to distinguish themselves in the areas of teaching, scholarship and service. The College also always prioritized deep engagement with surrounding communities — in addition to establishing other innovative local, national and international partnerships — resulting in the sharing of knowledge and resources that enrich teaching and learning. From its beginnings, there was a recognition that the development of an effective teacher, administrator, counselor or psychologist requires the exposure to a breadth of ideas that a broad-based, liberal arts education provides.
The history of the former College of Communication and the Arts is more recent, yet equally remarkable. Established in 2015 as the University’s ninth college/school, it spun off from the College of Arts and Sciences, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in areas encompassing arts, theater, design, media, music, public relations, journalism, museum professions, public relations and communication. The hallmark of the College was an interdisciplinary approach that leans into digital culture and empowers students to tailor their journey to support their individual academic and professional goals. With its proximity to New York City, students were offered unrivaled experiential learning opportunities working alongside scholars, artists, theorists, critics, practitioners and professionals in their chosen field.
Its talented faculty and evolving curricula responded to the ever-evolving and growing changes in core disciplines. The establishment of a new Center for Sports Media in 2021 was just one example of this dynamic and forward-looking approach. Students were inspired and prepared to lead, create and communicate with responsibility, passion and excellence, whether they choose to immediately pursue careers or advanced degrees.
Our Future
Building on the collective strength and prestige of these disciplines, the College of Human Development, Culture and Media reframes education and communication as engines of innovation along the continuum of human development.
Communication and education power the shared work of solving complex problems facing people and society — new knowledge that moves us all forward.