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Exploratory Studies

How it works.

If you’re unsure what to study, Exploratory Studies lets you explore majors while staying on track, with guidance from our professional advisors to help you declare a major by 30 credits. Exploratory Studies make entering college as an undecided major risk-free. It is one of the most common paths for our first-year students.

About the Program
Meta-Majors
Graduate on Time
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About the Program

The Exploratory Studies program at Western provides guidance and a pathway for undecided students to declare a major they feel confident about.

Instead of declaring a major right away, Exploratory Studies allows you to start with a meta-major instead. A meta-major is a temporary major that clusters academic programs with similar courses and career paths.

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Meta-Majors

You’ll be paired with an Exploratory Studies advisor to help you select a meta-major that best suits your interests and skills. We offer the following meta-majors:

  • Arts, Humanities, and Communication
  • Business
  • Education
  • Recreation and Exercise Science
  • Science, Math, and Engineering
  • Social Sciences
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Graduate on Time

You should be ready to confidently declare your major after completing 30 credit hours in your meta-major.

Once you declare your major, you’ll be paired with an academic advisor. They’ll personalize your academic schedule based on your preferences and help you register for classes that best fit your needs.

Stay on Track

Take the Essentials
Choose a Meta Major
Declare a Major

Meet with your Exploratory Program Advisor, enroll in 15 credits/semester, complete 30 credits/year, and finish essential skills courses in English and math.

Your advisor will help you choose a Meta Major; this isn’t an official declaration but a pathway toward various major options.

We offer the following meta-majors:

Arts, Humanities, and Communication

Business

Education

Recreation and Exercise Science

Science, Math, and Engineering

Social Sciences

Declare a major after completing your General Education Courses or 30 credits!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Exploratory Studies advisors help me?

Why Western?

Why should I attend a liberal arts school?

I'm here to help!

Rylee Nordberg

Rylee Nordberg

Exploratory Program Coordinator

My name is Rylee Nordberg, and I am an Academic Advisor as well as the Exploratory Programs Coordinator. I graduated with my BA from Western…

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