Exploratory

What Is Exploratory ?

Not ready to commit to a major yet? No problem! There are many resources at UC to help students make a good choice. Even for those who enter college with a declared major, multiple major changes are common. In many ways, this is as it should be. College is a time for self-discovery and exploration. Truly undecided students should take the opportunity to explore their strengths, academic interests and talents before committing to a major.

Trying to get into a selective program? We can help with this, too. Exploratory students trying to gain admission to a very selective major are also encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to identify their alternatives while working toward possible admission to the major of choice.

Exploratory students in the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) have a specially assigned exploratory advisor to assist with decision-making and course selection while exploring degree options or working toward getting into a desired major in any college.

Success Factors

Students in any UC college trying to identify their best-fit majors will be successful if they take advantage of the following resources and programs offered through the Center for Exploratory Studies:

• Professional Exploratory Advising: Advisors can give you information about all of UC’s majors in every baccalaureate college as well as providing personal assessment and evaluation.
  
• Faculty contacts in various UC departments and colleges.
  
• Discovering UC Course (15MLT175): This course helps students choose a UC major. The course includes faculty presentations from all of the UC colleges as well as some fun, experiential learning activities.
  
• Major Mentoring: Meet with a student mentor who’s already majoring in one of your areas of interest.

Career Possibilities

Approximately 70 percent of college-educated people in the workforce today are working in an area not directly related to their field of study in college. For some fields of work, such as teaching or the engineering specialties, a specific major is essential. For many, the most important factor is simply the liberal education you attain while completing your bachelor’s degree. Employers value the competencies you will develop in critical thinking, effective communication, social responsibility and knowledge integration. Career options commonly associated with specific majors can be found on the Career Development Center's Web site.

Major Details

Minor Details

Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

Each student’s schedule looks different, but the following is an example of what yours might look like during the first year:

First Year
Learning Community or Freshman Seminar
*English Composition
*Foreign Language
Humanities
History
Discovering A&S or Discovering UC
*Mathematics

*Requirements may depend on potential majors.

Students working toward acceptance into a highly selective major should consult with an exploratory advisor to determine the necessary courses and requirements for potential admission to that program.  

Special Opportunities

Special Programs

There are several other unique programs that can also help you make informed academic decisions:

• The First Year Experience Program: An innovative, year-long, freshman program that helps students successfully transition from high school to the university setting through freshman seminars, academic workshops and first-year courses.
  
• College Success Skills: A course that focuses on vital skills acquisition, effective use of technology and campus resources.
  
• Discovering Arts & Sciences: A course that demonstrates the benefits of a liberal arts education while exploring the college’s 37 major programs.
  
• Learning Communities: Groups of students living, studying and taking classes together.
  
• Internship and Study Abroad Programs: Students gain work experience and begin to develop a global perspective while strengthening their college records, earning credit, and traveling the world.
  
• Career Development Center: Learn more about various career opportunities associated with each of UC’s majors.

Admission Requirements

Exploratory students are admitted into the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) until they declare a major. Admission criteria vary based on the relative strength of test scores, class rank and GPA. Please see the Freshman Class Profile for this major in the Quick Facts sidebar on this page for the range of academic credentials typically accepted into this program. Test scores in the lower range may be acceptable with higher class rank and/or GPA. Freshmen applying to this program should also have completed the following state of Ohio articulation requirements with no more than two units missing:

• English (4 units)*
• College-preparatory mathematics (3 units)*
• Science (2 units)
• Social science (2 units)
• Foreign language (2 units)*
• Fine arts (1 unit)
• Additional college-prep subjects (2 units)

*McMicken College of Arts & Sciences does not allow units missing from these areas.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants to A&S (as an exploratory studies student) whose most recent enrollment was not in any of the UC colleges must apply to the Office of Admissions. Applicants in this category must submit transcripts for all secondary school and college-level work. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all college-level work is required for admission consideration. Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus applicants who have received the associate degree from an accredited college or university and whose cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.

Although midyear, off-campus transfer students are not able to participate in priority registration in the quarter prior to their enrollment, they are included in the summer registration period prior to their fall quarter enrollment.

Changing Major Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was as a degree student in one of UC’s other colleges can apply directly to the A&S college office. Admission to A&S is generally available for any on-campus students who have:

• at least a 2.0 GPA in all college-level courses (both at UC and at other institutions),
• successfully completed two quarters of English Composition or its equivalent, and
• gained credit for a college-level mathematics course.

Further details on individual programs are available online or in the A&S Office of Undergraduate Affairs and Advising (102 McMicken Hall).

Graduation Requirements

In addition to meeting the university general education requirements, each college's requirements for graduation are different. Students will work with their college and departmental advisors to ensure graduation requirements are met. 

Exploratory students intending to stay in the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences MUST follow the A&S core requirements checklist in order to effectively meet college and general education requirements.

Application Deadlines

UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning in late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, the fall is generally the best time to enter the university, since many course sequences begin in that quarter.

• Applicants to A&S who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in McMicken 102). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).