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Innovation in Society ,BA

Innovation in Society, BA

Academic programs / Undergraduate degrees / Innovation in Society

Artificial Intelligence, Business, Emerging Markets, Entrepreneur, Global, Interdisciplinary, Justice, Policy, Public, Solutions, Technology, digital, ethics, humanities, social

At the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, join a community of dedicated innovators who are bridging the gap between humans and technology and making a real difference in people's lives every day, across the planet. Help others imagine, design and create healthy, thriving, sustainable and equitable futures.

Program 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 first, not technology. The BA in innovation in society is specifically designed to prepare students to be leaders in this exciting and fast-growing field.

The program centers on building a foundational knowledge in innovation while honing skills like scenario planning, policy analysis, the responsible design of innovations and public engagement. Graduates are not only equipped 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 students 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.

In the program, students explore how to:

  • champion humanity --- craft strategies, turning innovations into societal solutions
  • reimagine health --- blend technology and empathy, advancing global well-being
  • combat climate change --- use interdisciplinary knowledge for a sustainable tomorrow
  • navigate digital dynamics --- decode social media and digital landscapes, ensuring ethical integration
  • engage beyond theories --- explore the global challenges with other perspectives
  • fuse creativity --- merge artistry with technology, tackling issues from social inequality to digital divides

At a glance
  • Second language requirement: Yes
  • First required math course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics
    or any math course that meets the MATH designation.
  • Math intensity: Generalprogram math intensity general

Required courses (Major Map)
Concurrent program options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. 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.

Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Change of Major requirements

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.

Attend online
ASU Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

ASU Local

It is now possible to earn an ASU degree with ASU Local, an integrated college experience in which students take advantage of in-person success coaching and programming experiences on site while completing one of 130+ undergraduate online degree programs, all of which come with online faculty interaction and tutoring support.

Transfer options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.

Program learning outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:

  • 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.
Global opportunities
Global experience

With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, students of all majors, including programs in the 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 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.

Career opportunities

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 range of sectors including cities, aid agencies, charities and companies that are helping tackle difficult challenges. Alumni have highly sought-after jobs at NASA, 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 theCollege of Global Futures employment data page.

Career example titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience, geographical location, and required advanced degrees or certifications may affect pay scales.


Career *Growth *Median salary
9.7%
$95,290
-8.2%
$189,520
6.1%
$76,480
9.6%
$102,240
4.8%
$50,470
31.5%
$112,000
3.7%
$97,710
9.1%
$74,240
4.1%
$75,990
3.3%
$128,620
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook

Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

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. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. 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.
What are concurrent programs?
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.
What are joint programs?
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.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program in which residents of western states (other than Arizona) may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition. See more information and eligibility requirements on the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.

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