Frequently Asked Questions

If you complete a thorough exploration and decision making process during your first year in college, starting as an Exploratory student will increase the probability that you will make a good choice of major. Studies show when students who start as Exploratory majors choose a major, they stick with it at a higher percentage rate than those who enter college with a "chosen major".

The Exploratory Advising Center serves as a home for Exploratory majors and provides academic advising to students regarding major exploration options, liberal education requirements, and overviews of KSU major requirements. All exploratory students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor before they register each semester. Academic advising consists of planning your class sequences, clarifying academic policies and procedures, reviewing academic and career goals, and making students aware of various resources available at Kent State University.

The Exploratory Advising Center provides academic advising for exploratory students, guest and non-degree students at Kent State University.

Exploratory students are assigned to a specific professional academic advisor. Transfer students entering Kent State University as an exploratory student will receive their assigned academic advisor upon scheduling their initial advising appointment.

As an exploratory student at Kent State University, you are required to declare a major other than "exploratory" by the time you complete 45 credit hours. Typically, this will occur in your sophomore year. It is strongly recommended, however, that you set a goal to choose your major the end of your freshman year. Some students do not make their major decision until they are sophomores, and others decide to change their major as late as the sophomore year. Many of these students still graduate in four years. While this can be done in some cases, it is important to note that there is no guarantee for this. It depends very much on what courses you have taken and the curriculum requirements of the major you choose. Thus, while you may be able to have more time, it is best to decide by the end of your freshmen year.