This document outlines the emerging discipline of service science, management, engineering, and design (SSMED). It discusses how the growth of the global service economy has led to a dramatic increase in specialized service systems and interactions. However, surprisingly few university students study services or service systems. The document presents some of the key foundations of SSMED as a new interdisciplinary field aimed at understanding and innovating service systems. It explores theoretical concepts around the growth of services and value co-creation. It also discusses how SSMED relates to and can integrate multiple existing academic disciplines and professions.