Dean, Division of Social Sciences and Professional Studies

Jane O’Brien Friederichs, Ph.D.

jobrienfriederichs@massbay.edu                                                 

Marcia Lobos, Administrative Assistant

781-239-2466

Location: 

Wellesley Hills Campus, Carey Bldg Fifth floor                                                                                         

Framingham Campus by appointment

Dean’s Welcome

Welcome to the Division of Social Sciences and Professional Studies at MassBay Community College.  Each of us in the Division share a commitment to your education: the ideal of delivering you the best programs possible. I have worked in higher education in the United States, Hong Kong, Germany, and Great Britain and I know that higher education is changing dramatically all over the world - shifting preferences for areas of study, greater demand for access to higher education by more groups, higher costs, the changing needs of employers, and the need to prepare students to be life-long learners.  Each of these has put enormous pressure on administrators, faculty and staff. In this Division, at MassBay, you will find a broad base of the faculty experience which is necessary to cope in the current climate of change.

The talented faculty of the Division will guide you through your academic experience. Our faculty members are professionally active and committed to engaging students in the learning experience. By emphasizing the College’s mission, the faculty challenge students to value the process of personal and intellectual development, to become life-long learners, and to share their knowledge in service to others.  The Division of Social Sciences and Professional Studies encourages you to have high expectations of yourself and we will support you to succeed at your highest potential.

General Information

The Division of Social Sciences and Professional Studies centers on areas of study that prepare you for further study and careers in the social sciences and in the professions. Programs are offered through these academic areas: Business, Education, Global Studies, History and Government, Human Services, Legal and Paralegal Studies, Liberal Studies and Social Sciences. Course offerings are designed to help students explore a wide range of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills. 

Because you receive the high-quality education that is required by today’s workplace, you are well prepared  for transfer to a baccalaureate program and also for a variety of fulfilling and high-demand career options in a variety of human service, educational, professional, and legal settings. .For further information on these degree programs, please contact the dean, the department chair or program coordinator.

Some few examples of some of the destinations of our graduates:

Students in Business have gone on to further study at Babson College, Bentley College and Northeastern University, UMass Boston and other institutions. Students in Hospitality Management have gone on to further study at UMass Amherst, and other institutions.  

Students in the Early Childhood Education have gone on to further study at Framingham State College, Bridgewater State College, UMass Amherst and other institutions.

Students in the Social Sciences have gone on to further study at Framingham State College, Smith College, Mt. Holyoke College and Wellesley College, and other institutions. Students in History have gone on to further study at Curry College, and other institutions.

Students in Legal Studies have gone on to further study at Suffolk University, and other institutions.

MassBay's Humanities Division offers a number of degree and certificate programs designed to support our students’ successful transfer to 4-year colleges

and pursuit of their careers.

DEGREE PROGRAMS

Associate in Arts

• Liberal Arts: Human Services 

• Liberal Arts: Early Childhood Education 

• Liberal Arts: Elementary Education

• Liberal Arts: Psychology/Sociology/Anthropology

• Liberal Arts: Community Health Option 

DEGREE PROGRAMS

Associate in Science

• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Criminal Justice
• General Business
• Early Childhood Education
• General Business: Hospitality Management 

• Liberal Arts: Global Studies
• Paralegal Studies

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS 

• Accounting
• Business: Information Technology
• Early Childhood Education
• Early Childhood Education: Infant-Toddler Teacher
• General Business: Hospitality Management

• Liberal Arts: Community Health

• Liberal Arts: Human Services
• Interior Design
• Management
• Paralegal Studies

Accreditations and Affiliations

MassBay is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.The Criminal Justice program is approved as a Police Career Incentive Program by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.The Early Childhood Education Program is nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).