Exploratory
Students in the Exploratory program are considered degree-seeking although they have not yet declared a major. The degree evaluation outlines the other Bachelor of Arts degree requirements including courses in general education (LEP), writing requirements, and up to 27 elective credits that can provide students with time to explore areas of interest. All other courses will be considered excess and are not aid eligible.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
All bachelor’s degree programs include liberal education (LEP) and writing (W) course requirements. To review more detailed information, please visit General Education (LEP) Degree Requirements.
POLICIES AND DEADLINES
- Students cannot graduate with a degree in the Exploratory program and must choose a major prior to earning 60 credits.
- Transfer students must choose a major prior to their second semester at Southern if they enter the institution with 60 credits or more.
- Exploratory students must select an Area of Interest (see below).
- Choosing an area of interest does not mean that a student is declared in that major or guaranteed admission.
- Exploratory students with 45 earned credits or more must consult with their academic advisor to make a declaration decision, otherwise a registration hold will be placed on their account.
- Students should be aware that a delay in the declaration of a major may result in needing more than 120 credits to graduate with their chosen major.
- Exploratory students can also declare a minor.
AREAS OF INTEREST
Exploratory students must choose one of the areas of interest listed below to effectively
explore the majors included. Students will be assigned an academic advisor in their
specific area of interest with whom they will work until they declare a major.
Courses in a students area of interest must be selected to meet degree requirements
in the general education (LEP), writing requirements, or in the 27 elective credits
allowed to be aid eligible.
Exploring - Still Deciding
This Exploratory option is for students who want to explore all majors and/or are
not yet ready to narrow down their exploration to a specific area of study. Those
interested in exploring the Interdisciplinary Studies Program should also choose this
concentration.
Exploring Arts & Humanities
Select if exploring the following major areas: Art History, Studio Art, Communication,
Art Education PK-12, English, English Education 7-12, History, History/Social Studies
Education 7-12, Media Studies, Music, Philosophy, Theatre, all World Languages (including
World Language Education 7-12)
Exploring Business
Select if exploring the Business Administration major, with the following concentrations:
Accounting, Business Economics, Business Information Systems, Finance, Management
and International Business, Marketing, Public Utilities Management
Exploring Education
Select if exploring the following major areas: Early Childhood Education, Elementary
Education, Elementary-Bilingual Education, Collaborative Special-Elementary Education,
Special Education, Information and Library Science
Exploring Health and Human Services
Select if exploring the following major areas: Accelerated Athletic Training, Communication
Disorders, Exercise and Sport Science, Health Science, Healthcare Studies, Nursing,
Physical Education PK-12, Public Health, Recreation and Leisure Studies, Sport Management,
Social Work
Exploring Social & Behavioral Sciences
Select if exploring the following major areas: Anthropology, Journalism, Political
Science, Political Science Ed, Psychology, Sociology
Exploring STEM
Select if exploring the following major areas: Biology, Biology Education 7-12, Biotechnology,
Chemistry, Chemistry Education 7-12, Computer Science, Data Science, Earth Science,
Earth Science Education 7-12, Environmental Systems and Sustainability, Geography,
Math, Math Education 7-12, Physics, Physics Education 7-12