Exploratory Program

Program Description

Full Description

The Exploratory pre-major affords a tremendous opportunity for students to engage in meaningful and experience driven self-discovery — leading to confidence in themselves and their major declaration. Students benefit from the guidance, advising and support offered in the Exploratory program. Beginning in a student's first semester, students partner with academic advisors through a personalized exploration process.

The Exploratory pre-major does not lead to a degree. Students must declare a degree-granting major by the time they have earned 45 credit hours at Kent State University.

The Exploratory pre-major is housed in the Exploratory Advising Center. The Exploratory Advising Center values the following:

1. Validating and celebrating the uniqueness of each student
2. Relationship-building and authentic conversations
3. Openness to learning and curiosity
4. Building resiliency and confidence in decision-making
5. Being present in the now and being open to future possibilities

The Exploratory pre-major may be a good fit for students who are:

• Undecided in a major of interest;
• Looking to take time to make an informed decision;
• Wanting to gain a better understanding of themselves;
• Looking to discover different career possibilities; and
• Wanting to build confidence in decision making.

Exploratory students meet with their assigned exploratory advisor at least once a semester. These expert academic advisors are focused on partnering with the student. This partnership includes guiding students through their personalized exploration plan, keeping them on track to declare their major (and staying on track to graduate as planned) and celebrating their major declaration and graduation.

Examples of Declared Majors

The top majors declared by students earning a degree from Kent State in 2021 who started in the Exploratory program:

• Psychology
• Business Management
• Communication Studies
• Marketing
• Finance
• Speech Pathology and Audiology

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.

Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Completers of this program will be able to:

1. Identify their majors of interest.
2. Relate their major interests to future career possibilities.
3. Develop meaningful relationships within the Exploratory community.
4. Identify available resources and support for individual success.
5. Report feeling confident about declaring their major.

Roadmaps

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Ashtabula Campus
  • East Liverpool Campus
  • Geauga Campus
  • Kent Campus
  • Salem Campus
  • Stark Campus
  • Trumbull Campus
  • Tuscarawas Campus