Since its inception in 1962, a community of scholars in the College of Social Science has been committed to creating, disseminating, and applying knowledge in the social, behavioral and economic sciences. Faculty are involved in research which addresses real world problems on local, national, and international levels. Students work to become leaders through challenging coursework and enriching practical experiences. Nearly 400 tenured and tenure-stream faculty provide instructional, research, and outreach services within its eight departments, three schools, and six centers and institutes. The College of Social Science is the largest and most diverse of all the MSU colleges, boasting more than 6,300 undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in 13 major disciplines. Predecessor units include Science and Arts College, Social Science division (1944-1962), and some courses taught in the Business and Public Service College and the College of Agriculture. Undergraduate courses include such diverse areas as anthropology, economics, family and child ecology, history, labor and industrial relations, social work, and urban and regional planning. Academic graduate specializations range from environmental science and policy and international development to cognitive science and security management. The College of Social Science is committed to broadening students’ awareness of the interconnectedness of local and international events and issues. Hosting thematic programs that foster research and education in cross-cutting subjects touch on topics such as Chicano/Latino student programs, environmental science and policy programs, and global urban studies.