First Year Exploratory Studies

About the Program

Drexel University’s First-Year Exploratory Studies Program offers students an undecided major for their first year, providing them the opportunity to explore academic and career options and interests before selecting a major.

The Exploratory Program is comprised of two tracks: the Business, Humanities, and Social Science Track (non-STEM) and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) track. While the program seeks to help students focus their goals, students are not limited to exploring only majors within a particular track; in fact, it is common for students to explore majors from both tracks. In addition to the non-STEM and STEM tracks, students also have the opportunity to choose the Custom-Designed track (CSDN), a track designed in collaboration with The Custom-Designed major in the Pennoni Honors College. Students who are interested in blending multiple interests to create their own major with the goal of solving complex interdisciplinary problems may choose the CSDN track. 

At the end of year one, students will transfer to a full-time major at Drexel provided they meet the internal transition criteria. The First-Year Exploratory Studies Program empowers students to make well-informed decisions around choosing a degree program, getting involved on campus, and following their ambitions.

Students will develop an individualized plan of study with an advisor to help them achieve their academic goals.

Additional Information

More information about the First-Year Exploratory Studies program can be found on the Goodwin College of Professional Studies website.

Degree Requirements

University Requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
UNIV G101The Drexel Experience1.0
General Education Requirements
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
MATH 101Introduction to Analysis I4.0
MATH 102Introduction to Analysis II4.0
Social Science electives18.0
Science courses8.0
Program Requirements
FYE 102Academic Exploration and Planning2.0
FYE 103Career Exploration and Planning2.0
Exploratory Track courses125.0
Free electives5.0
Total Credits180.0
*

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101.

Sample Plan of Study

4 years, no co-op

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CIVC 1011.0VACATION
MATH 1014.0FYE 1022.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV G1011.0MATH 1024.0FYE 1032.0 
Exploratory Track course3.0Exploratory Track courses6.0Exploratory Track course3.0 
Social Science elective3.0 Social Science elective3.0 
 14 15 12 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Exploratory Track course3.0Exploratory Track courses6.0Exploratory Track courses15.0VACATION
Exploratory Track course4.0Free elective3.0  
Free elective*3.0Science course4.0  
Science course4.0Social Science elective3.0  
Social Science elective3.0   
 17 16 15 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Exploratory Track courses12.0Exploratory Track courses12.0Exploratory Track courses12.0VACATION
Social Science elective3.0Social Science elective3.0Exploratory Track course4.0 
 15 15 16 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
Exploratory Track courses15.0Exploratory Track courses15.0Exploratory Track courses15.0 
 15 15 15 
Total Credits 180
*

Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101.

4 years, 1 co-op

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CIVC 1011.0 
MATH 1014.0FYE 1022.0COOP 101*1.0 
UNIV G1011.0MATH 1024.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
Exploratory Track course3.0Exploratory Track courses6.0FYE 1032.0 
Social Science elective3.0 Exploratory Track course3.0 
  Social Science elective3.0 
 14 15 13 
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Exploratory Track course3.0Exploratory Track courses6.0Exploratory Track courses15.0Exploratory Track courses12.0
Exploratory Track course4.0Free elective3.0 Social Science elective3.0
Free elective2.0Science course4.0  
Science course4.0Social Science elective3.0  
Social Science elective3.0   
 16 16 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEExploratory Track courses12.0Exploratory Track courses12.0
  Social Science elective3.0Exploratory Track course4.0
 0 0 15 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
Exploratory Track courses15.0Exploratory Track courses15.0Exploratory Track courses15.0 
 15 15 15 
Total Credits 180
*

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

5 years, 3 co-op

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CIVC 1011.0VACATION
MATH 1014.0FYE 1022.0COOP 101*1.0 
UNIV G1011.0MATH 1024.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
Exploratory Track course3.0Exploratory Track courses6.0FYE 1032.0 
Social Science elective3.0 Exploratory Track course3.0 
  Social Science elective3.0 
 14 15 13 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Exploratory Track course3.0Exploratory Track courses6.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Exploratory Track course4.0Free elective3.0  
Free elective2.0Science course4.0  
Science course4.0Social Science elective3.0  
Social Science elective3.0   
 16 16 0 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Exploratory Track courses15.0Exploratory Track courses12.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
 Social Science elective3.0  
 15 15 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Exploratory Track courses12.0Exploratory Track courses12.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Social Science elective3.0Exploratory Track course4.0  
 15 16 0 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
Exploratory Track courses15.0Exploratory Track courses15.0Exploratory Track courses15.0 
 15 15 15 
Total Credits 180
*

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Program Level Outcomes

Students will: 

  • Recognize existing strengths, skills, and personality traits and how, holistically, these should be utilized while exploring courses and opportunities in various academic units across the institution. (Academic Exploration)
  • Learn the underlying factors that will enable them to become more familiar with the process of researching, applying, interviewing, and accepting job opportunities in their respective industries, including but not limited to: emotional intelligence; professional networking; and informational interviews. (Career Preparation)
  • Declare and transfer to a full-time major at their respective college/school after working with academic advisors, peer mentors, and faculty members, as well as exploring various courses and opportunities,. (Plan of Study)
  • Learn the importance of self-advocacy regarding resources on campus, academic plans of study, financial aid, and communication. (Self-Advocacy)
  • Develop and refine their leadership skills through various pathways, including the Peer Mentor program. (Leadership)