Exploratory Pathways

EPA Exploratory Pathways

Exploratory pathways are designed for students who are still identifying the major that best fits their interests, strengths, and goals.

These pathways provide a starting point in a broad area of interest so students can explore majors, complete foundational coursework, and make steady progress toward declaring a major.

Students in an exploratory pathway are supported by Exploratory Pathways Advising (EPA) as they explore options, choose classes, and plan next steps.

General Exploratory (EX)

Purpose: For students exploring multiple areas or who are undecided.

Helpful for: Maximum flexibility, giving students time to sample courses from different fields.

Areas / Relevant majors: All majors and interdisciplinary programs such as Interdisciplinary Studies.

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Exploratory Arts & Humanities (EXAH)

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

Helpful for: Exploring majors in the arts and humanities while completing general education requirements and identifying academic interests aligned with creative or cultural fields.

  • Visual & Performing Arts: Art, Art History, Art Studio, Cinematic Arts (Animation/Digital Cinema), Dance, Music, Theatre
  • Literature & Language: English, Literatures & Languages (Chinese, French, German, Hawaiian, Indo-Pacific Languages, Japanese, Korean, Spanish), Philippine Language and Culture, Linguistics, Second Language Studies
  • Cultural, Historical & Philosophical Studies: Art History, American Studies, Asian Studies, Hawaiian Studies, Pacific Island Studies, History, Philosophy, Religious Traditions & Ancient Civilizations
  • Design: Fashion Design & Merchandising

Exploratory Business (EXB)

Purpose: For students interested in Business (BBA) majors such as Accounting, Finance, and related fields.

Helpful for: Students planning to enter the Shidler BBA program by completing admission requirements, exploring business interests, and staying on track for timely graduation.

  • Financial & Analytical Focus: Accounting, Finance, Management Information Systems (MIS)
  • People & Organizational Management: Human Resource Management, Management
  • Innovation & Strategy: Entrepreneurship, International Business (second major only)
  • Customer & Market Engagement: Marketing
Explore this pathway

Exploratory Health Sciences (EXHS)

Purpose: For students pursuing health professions or biomedical sciences.

Helpful for: Exploring health-related majors while completing general education and competitive prerequisites for selective health and pre-professional programs like dental health, dietetics, or physical therapy.

  • Clinical Care & Direct Patient Services: Dental Hygiene, Medical Technology
  • Nutrition, Wellness & Food Science: Dietetics, Food Science & Human Nutrition
  • Movement, Fitness & Preventive Health: Kinesiology, Public Health

Exploratory Social Sciences (EXSS)

Purpose: For students exploring human behavior and social systems.

Helpful for: Exploring social science majors, completing general education, and developing research and analytical skills to understand social structures, human behavior, and public issues.

  • Society & Social Structures: Anthropology, Ethnic Studies, Human Development & Family Studies, Sociology, Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
  • Politics, Governance & Policy: Economics, Geography & Environment, Political Science
  • Communication & Media: Communication, Communicology, Journalism

Exploratory STEM (EXST)

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

Helpful for: Building a foundation in technical and scientific disciplines before selecting a specific major.

  • Engineering & Design: Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Construction Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Science, Environmental Design (Architecture), Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer, Data & Info Sciences: Computer Science, Information & Computer Science
  • Physical & Mathematical Sciences: Astronomy, Astrophysics, Atmospheric Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics
  • Life & Health Sciences: Biochemistry, Biology, Botany, Dietetics, Food Science & Human Nutrition, Kinesiology & Rehabilitation Science, Marine Biology, Medical Technology, Microbiology, Molecular Biosciences & Biotechnology, Molecular Cell Biology
  • Earth, Environmental & Natural Resources: Earth Sciences, Environmental Earth Science, Environmental Studies, Global Environmental Science, Natural Resources & Environmental Management, Tropical Agriculture & the Environment
Students can use these pathways to explore broadly while making progress toward a major. An academic advisor can help connect your interests with courses, requirements, and next steps.
Want to learn more before declaring?

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

Schedule an Advising Appointment
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.

Declare / Change Pathway
Important: Majors and Exploratory Pathways declared after the 100% tuition refund period will be effective for the following semester. For example, if a student decides to declare Exploratory Business after the spring semester refund deadline has passed, the new pathway would become effective in the following fall semester.
Check Academic Deadlines