Exploratory Pathways

EPA Exploratory Pathways | UH Mānoa
Choose a starting point

The 6 EPA Exploratory Pathways

Each pathway groups related majors so you can explore with focus, complete foundational coursework, and make steady progress toward declaring a major. You’re not locked in — you can switch pathways at any time with your EPA advisor.

6Exploratory Pathways
170Undergraduate Majors
53Minors
33Certificates
EX

General Exploratory

For students exploring multiple areas, or who are undecided.

Helpful for: Maximum flexibility — sample courses from different fields before narrowing down.

Open to

All 170 UH Mānoa majors Interdisciplinary Studies All 15 colleges & schools
Browse 170 majors, 53 minors, and 33 certificates before you commit to a direction.

Courses that support exploration

View all UNIV courses ↗
EXAH

Arts & Humanities

For students drawn to creative, cultural, or language-based fields.

Helpful for: Exploring arts & humanities majors while completing gen ed and finding your creative or cultural focus.

Visual & Performing Arts

ArtArt HistoryArt Studio Cinematic Arts (Animation/Digital Cinema)Dance MusicTheatre

Literature & Language

English Literatures & Languages (Chinese, French, German, Hawaiian, Indo-Pacific, Japanese, Korean, Spanish) Philippine Language & CultureLinguisticsSecond Language Studies

Cultural, Historical & Philosophical

American StudiesAsian StudiesHawaiian Studies Pacific Island StudiesHistoryPhilosophy Religious Traditions & Ancient Civilizations

Design

Fashion Design & Merchandising
EXB

Business

The starting point for a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) through Shidler College of Business.

Helpful for: Completing Shidler’s BBA admission requirements on schedule while exploring your business focus.

BBA admission fast facts

  • 60 earned credits + 2.50 cumulative GPA minimum
  • 7 pre-business core courses (incl. ACC 200/210, ECON 130/131) at a “C” or better
  • Apply by Mar 1 (Fall, priority) or Oct 1 (Spring, priority)
  • Shidler majors pay a $500/semester professional fee — not charged in EXB
EXHS

Health Sciences

For students pursuing health professions or biomedical sciences.

Helpful for: Completing gen ed and competitive prerequisites for selective health & pre-professional programs.

Clinical Care & Direct Patient Services

NursingDental HygieneMedical Technology

Nutrition, Wellness & Food Science

DieteticsFood Science & Human Nutrition

Movement, Fitness & Preventive Health

KinesiologyPublic Health
Helpful for: Building research and analytical skills to understand social structures, behavior, and public issues.

Society & Social Structures

AnthropologyEthnic StudiesHuman Development & Family Studies SociologyWomen, Gender, & Sexuality Studies

Politics, Governance & Policy

EconomicsGeography & EnvironmentPolitical Science

Communication & Media

CommunicationCommunicologyJournalism
EXST

STEM

For students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Helpful for: Building a technical & scientific foundation before selecting a specific major.

Engineering & Design

Biological EngineeringCivil EngineeringComputer Engineering Construction EngineeringElectrical EngineeringEngineering Science Environmental Design (Architecture)Mechanical Engineering

Computer, Data & Info Sciences

Computer ScienceInformation & Computer Science

Physical & Mathematical Sciences

AstronomyAstrophysicsAtmospheric Sciences ChemistryMathematicsPhysics

Life & Health Sciences

BiochemistryBiologyBotanyDietetics Food Science & Human NutritionKinesiology & Rehabilitation Science Marine BiologyMedical TechnologyMicrobiology Molecular Biosciences & BiotechnologyMolecular Cell Biology

Earth, Environmental & Natural Resources

Earth SciencesEnvironmental Earth ScienceEnvironmental Studies Global Environmental ScienceNatural Resources & Environmental Mgmt Tropical Agriculture & the Environment
What EPA advising builds toward

How exploratory advising works

Every appointment is built around three outcomes EPA advisors help you reach.

1

Identify your options

See the major options available to you at UH Mānoa — across all 15 colleges and schools, not just one.

2

Understand requirements

Learn general education, graduation, and program requirements through advising and supplemental support.

3

Use campus resources

Identify and use the campus resources available to you — tutoring, career services, and program-specific advising.

Meet with EPA

EPA empowers exploratory students to find a best-fit major by offering an impartial, cross-campus perspective on every UH Mānoa major.

  • Location Queen Liliʻuokalani Center (QLC) for Student Services, Room 212 — 2600 Campus Road, Honolulu, HI 96822
  • Hours Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (excluding holidays)
  • Phone (808) 956-7273
  • Email macadv@hawaii.edu
  • Instagram @mac.uhm ↗

Booking your appointment

Declared pathway students (EX, EXAH, EXB, EXHS, EXSS, EXST) can book online up to 7 days ahead. New slots open daily at midnight HST.

Not yet declared a pathway? Email macadv@hawaii.edu or call the office to schedule instead.

Cancel up to 1 hour before your appointment. Arriving 10+ minutes late counts as a no-show; 2 no-shows in a semester pause booking privileges for 2 weeks.

Your move

Ready for the next step?

Want to learn more before declaring?

Meet with an EPA advisor to talk through your options, ask questions, and make sure a pathway fits your interests and goals.

  • Prep first: review the appointment prep guide so your time with your advisor counts.
  • In-person or Zoom: both formats available weekdays, 9am–3pm.
Ready to make it official?

When you feel confident about your next step, submit the form to declare or change your major or exploratory pathway.

Timing matters: pathways/majors declared after the 100% tuition refund deadline take effect the following semester. E.g., declaring Exploratory Business after the spring refund deadline moves you to fall.