Parents & Counselors

The Exploratory Program within the Mānoa Advising Center is designed to assist students in their selection of a major. Please feel free to look through our resources to help you guide students to the appropriate resource for their needs.

Below are the six different exploratory paths we offer. If you click on a link, you will be able to get more information as well as see the different majors that are related to the path.

The following majors are not included in the Exploratory Paths due to the following reasons: they are newly approved majors; highly competitive majors; majors that involve sequencing; majors that require a high number of specific courses; or cohorted majors.

  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Environmental Design (Architecture)
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Secondary Education
  • Special Education

If your child/student is considering a specialty program, it is highly recommended that they start on their courses as soon as possible. It is often easier to switch from a specialty program (which may require specific courses, a higher GPA, or specific deadlines) into another major, but not vice versa.

For additional information on these majors, please visit the “Specialty Program” page.

To help your child/student choose an exploratory path, follow the link to the Holland Interest page. This exercise is based on Dr. John Holland’s theory that people and work environments can be classified into six general groups: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. Each of these groups shows potential interests as a: Do-er, Thinker, Creator, Helper, Persuader, and Organizer.

If your child/student would like to meet with an advisor, navigate through the following pages to find the appropriate advisor associated with their major of choice.

If your child/student wants to meet with an advisor from a specific college/major, follow this link to the directory of advisors:

If your child/student has chosen a major that they would like to obtain, it’s time to declare the major. To declare a major, they will need to meet with an advisor from the intended school within UH Mānoa that they are trying to major in.

Appointment Scheduling

For declared Exploratory students, scheduling can be done online using STAR Balance. Appointments are offered in person and via Zoom.

If your child/student is unable to keep their scheduled appointment, they must cancel their appointment on STAR Balance or contact our office in advance to cancel or reschedule. Students who do not show for appointments are closely monitored by MAC advisors.

Appointments are only visible for 7 calendar days in advance so if you do not see any availability, please check back the following morning. Appointments post at midnight HST.

Office Hours

Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Front Desk Operation: Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Closed: Weekends and Holidays

E-Mail

For more information regarding the Exploratory program here at UH Mānoa, please contact us at expl@hawaii.edu