Innovation in Society, BA
Discover how innovation and technology shape people, communities, policy and everyday life. This degree is designed for students eager to understand those forces and what they mean for the world around them. Step into a field where curiosity meets real impact.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
or any math course that meets the MATH designation.
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Innovation in Society degree description
Innovation is fundamentally about empowering people and unlocking their potential to create positive change. That requires a human touch and knowledge of how to put people and communities --- not technology --- first. The Bachelor of Arts program in innovation in society is specifically designed to prepare you to be a leader in this exciting and fast-growing field.
The program centers on building a foundational knowledge in innovation while honing skills such as scenario planning, policy analysis, the responsible design of innovations, and public engagement. You are equipped not only to understand the intricacies of modern-day challenges but also to anticipate and navigate future trends.
The program's small classes, one-on-one opportunities to work with faculty, and extensive community partnerships create a distinct experience in which you can learn how to grow and strengthen community leadership, capabilities and collaboration for innovation --- all while using tools such as narrative, storytelling, visual art, participatory design and community-centered inquiry.
You explore how to:
- champion humanity --- craft strategies, turning innovations into societal solutions
- combat climate change --- use interdisciplinary knowledge for a sustainable tomorrow
- engage beyond theories --- explore the global challenges with other perspectives
- fuse creativity --- merge artistry with technology, tackling issues from social inequality to digital divides
- navigate digital dynamics --- decode social media and digital landscapes, ensuring ethical integration
- reimagine health --- blend technology and empathy, advancing global well-being
Why study innovation in society at ASU?
Study in the only Innovation in Society program in the country, then shape it around your goals: the degree is flexible enough to pair well with a second major or minor in another content area of interest. You can also reach for distinctive opportunities like the Undergraduate Research Fellowship in the Rob Walton College of Global Futures, where you may earn credit by working alongside a faculty member on a research project.
Additional details
Beyond your coursework, you can tap into a range of opportunities through the Rob Walton College of Global Futures, along with hundreds of study abroad options and student organizations across the broader ASU community.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| FIS 111 Welcome to the Future |
| FIS 201 Innovation in Society |
| FIS 305 Managing Knowledge and Change in Organizations |
| FIS 307 Futures and Foresight Methods |
| FIS 407 Advanced Futures and Foresight Methods |
| FIS 450 Prototyping Futures |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Analyze and deconstruct complex social, technological, legal, ethical and social justice issues using multiple strategies.
- Apply foresight methods to assess emerging trends and plausible futures.
- Design creative strategies to address current societal and technological challenges.
Analyze and deconstruct complex social, technological, legal, ethical and social justice issues using multiple strategies.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, students of all majors, including programs in the Rob Walton College of Global Futures, are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.
Students can find programs specific to their interests on the Rob Walton College of Global Futures study abroad webpage and additional opportunities and information on the ASU Global Education Office website. These sites also include additional information about applying for funding to support global travel.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Analyst | 10.1% | $101,860 | Learn more |
| Chief Sustainability Officer | 3.2% | $213,990 | Learn more |
| Climate Change Analyst | 6.1% | $82,220 | Learn more |
| Clinical Informatics Analyst | 7.9% | $105,850 | Learn more |
| Human Behavior Researcher | 5.0% | $61,990 | Learn more |
| Information Security Analyst | 21.0% | $129,180 | Learn more |
| Inside Sales Representative | 1.2% | $104,920 | Learn more |
| Social Services Director | 7.2% | $80,390 | Learn more |
| Sustainability Specialist | 3.9% | $83,050 | Learn more |
| Wind Energy Project Manager | 4.9% | $141,900 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this innovation in society degree prepares you for
As the landscape of science and technology rapidly transforms, the demand for graduates with a nuanced grasp of these changes becomes paramount. Across industries, there's a growing need for expertise in interpreting and guiding advancement in science and technology that can improve people's lives.
Graduates are poised for success in a variety of sectors, including cities, aid agencies, charities and companies that are helping to tackle difficult challenges. Alumni have highly sought-after jobs at NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, Intel, OpenAI and beyond. Preparation in both theoretical and practical facets of innovation makes graduates invaluable assets in tech startups, corporations, nonprofits and governments.
Students can explore alumni employment data for career insights on theRob Walton College of Global Futures employment data page.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Innovation Futures
|
WCPH 4th floor
cgfadvising@asu.edu
480-727-6963
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
