In college, there are plenty of choices. You can choose your friends, choose your clubs and choose your schedule. The biggest choice, however - choose a major.
Next fall, Auburn University will begin offering an exploratory major available for freshmen. The major is part of the new Exploratory Advising Center that opened in August.
The Director of University Advising, Ruthanna Spiers, said the major is targeted at students who have no idea what major to choose or are deciding between a variety of different subjects.
“This major is to help those students who are truly completely undecided or have varied interests they can’t narrow down,” Spiers said. “Maybe they spend a semester with us and are then able to decide.”
As part of the counseling center located in Mary Martin Hall, students enrolled in the exploratory major will also be provided with programs and counseling.
“There is a first year seminar course where we do a lot of figuring out what each major involves,” Spiers said. “They also meet with advisers and career counselors and can take career assessment tests where they can come in and talk about their results.”
In the past, the Advising Center provided academic counseling to upperclassmen who were struggling in courses. Upperclassmen will still be able to receive counseling, but it will now be done through the Exploratory Advising Center, according to Mike Lee, academic adviser.
“Students get referred here by their home college if they are struggling,” Lee said. “They work really close with our advisers, and we help them understand that just because plan A doesn’t work out, there are plenty of other options.”
Lee said he hopes with an exploratory major option more students will be able to sort out their problems earlier rather than later.
“If you have a student who is forced to pick, then not only did they waste their time, but who knows what else they could have found,” Lee said.
The Exploratory Center has three components: exploratory major, upperclassmen student advising and retention.
Retention Programming Coordinator Judith Sanders believes housing different academic counseling under the same building will help students be more aware of all of their resources.
“There is a certain synergy that happens with us all together,” Sanders said. “Each area sees things through a different lens, but when we collaborate together, we see in a better way.”
The center was initiated as part of the provost strategic plan to promote retention on campus, according to Spiers.
“It goes along with the goal of helping students take classes that will help them in their degree,” Spiers said. “We want to provide students collaborative support so they can figure out the right path and learn to be self-guided in their curriculum.”
Spiers said she hopes the exploratory major option will help alleviate students' stress of having to change majors multiple times.
“Our goal is to help students become aware of what they can bring to the table,” Spiers said. “Their goals, interests, values and job options; the bigger picture of what they are getting into before they choose a major.”
There are currently 39 students enrolled in the major. Next year, incoming freshmen will have the option to declare the exploratory major on their application.
Spiers said it is also important to distinguish between a student who declares “undecided” or “exploratory.”
“If a student knows they want to go into science or math, then they should declare “undecided” in the College of Science and Math,” Spiers said. “Exploratory is for the students who are truly just unsure.”
Next fall, the exploratory major will be able to house a maximum of 150 students.
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