Our Exploratory Program
If you are exploring majors and are not ready to declare, you’re not alone! UNI offers an Exploratory Program to help you decide on a major that is the best fit for you. In Fall 2023, the exploratory major was the largest “major” at UNI for students new from high school.
Is the Exploratory Program For You?
- You have many interests and aren’t ready to commit to one major yet
- You aren’t comfortable making such a big decision without help from an academic advisor or professor
- You aren’t aware of what careers you can pursue with certain majors (example: What can I do with a history major?)
- You feel there are too many choices and need help exploring options to make an informed decision
- You're torn between two majors and just don't know how to decide on one
- Your parents want you to study something that is ‘practical’ – that is, leads right to a specific job – but you're not sure that’s the path you want to follow
How Have we Helped our Exploratory Students?
Evelyn
I came into UNI as an exploratory student because I had no idea what I wanted to major in. I was able to find my current major in Public Relations by completing self-assessments, and talking to current students from different majors at Majors in Minutes. Originally, I was nervous that I was going to be behind in my major because I took time to declare, but I found out that the classes I took exploring majors can count as electives. By exploring, I found out what I like (and what I don’t) and I got many of my electives completed.
Will
I was looking for a major that excited me and I hadn’t found it yet, so I began at UNI as an Exploratory student. After trying different major classes to find what I enjoyed, I found the Recreation, Tourism, and Nonprofit Leadership major. The possibilities with RTNL excited me and ultimately led me to declare my major. While I was exploring, it was helpful to remember that there is not one direct path to finding the perfect job and having success in life. There can be multiple paths that lead to a great future and it's all about exploring what excites you.
How do Exploratory Majors Engage with their Advisor?
Fall Semester
An exploratory student will be asked to:
- Check your UNI email regularly for messages from the Office of Academic Advising and your assigned academic advisor.
August
- Visit the Office of Academic Advising during Panther Welcome
September
- Individual appointment with your academic advisor
October
- Complete self-assessment and review results with your academic advisor
- Attend Majors in Minutes
- Reflect on Majors in Minutes experience and majors visited with an academic/peer advisor
November
- Pre-Registration meeting
Spring Semester
An exploratory student will be asked to:
- Check your UNI email regularly for messages from the Office of Academic Advising and your assigned academic advisor.
and may be asked to participate in any of the following based upon their interests and needs:
- Additional self assessments
- Career Services meeting
- Informational interviews
- Job shadows
- Professor conversations
- Student organization major meetings
The Exploratory Advantage
UNI's exploratory program helps you explore areas of interest before committing to a specific major. As an exploratory student, you are assigned to an academic advisor who helps you explore possibilities in majors and careers.
Exploring majors is a process. Exploratory students are encouraged to be proactive, engaged and collaborative with their academic advisor. Your academic advisor is a guide to understanding your unique career goals and connecting them to possible majors.
Note: Exploratory is not a degree granting program – a student must declare a major, and complete the requirements for that academic program, in order to earn a degree from the university.
Major & Career Exploration Resources
Our academic advisors have planned programs and resources to help you navigate the exploration process.