First Year Exploratory Studies
About the Program
The First-Year Exploratory Studies (FYES) program at Drexel University is designed for students who wish to explore various academic disciplines before committing to a major. This program offers a structured yet flexible plan of study, allowing students to discover their interests and strengths while examining all that Drexel’s Colleges and Schools have to offer. The FYES program is supported by a dedicated team of advisors, faculty members and staff who are committed to helping students succeed. Some majors have requirements for internal transfers, while others do not; advisors work closely with students to create personalized academic plans and provide guidance on transitioning to a major. By the end of the first year, students are prepared to transition into their chosen major with confidence and clarity, as well as remain on track to graduate.
Curriculum
The FYES program curriculum is tailored to provide a comprehensive educational experience that aligns with students' individual personal and professional goals. FYES advisors work with students to customize their course schedules to foster exploration and intellectual growth, ensuring that students gain a broad understanding of multiple fields. Through structured coursework and with the support of dedicated advisors, students have the opportunity to reflect on their own academic journeys and make informed decisions about their futures. Based on their interests, students have the option of exploring a variety of subject areas, including Science and Mathematics, Health, Nursing and Public Health, Social Sciences, Humanities, Computing and Technology, Business and Entrepreneurship, Media, Arts and Design, Education, Engineering and more.
Research Opportunities
While the FYES program primarily focuses on exploration and academic discovery, students are encouraged to engage in research opportunities that align with their interests. FYES students have access to the same research opportunities as all College of Arts and Sciences students, including the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Support (ASURS) Fund and the Undergraduate Experience Fund.
Co-op and Career Opportunities
One of the out features of Drexel University is its renowned co-op program. This unique cooperative education program allows students to gain real-world experience while earning their degree. FYES students, like all other Drexel students, have access to co-op opportunities that enable them to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings, build a strong resume, and establish valuable industry connections. Depending on the major chosen at the end of their first year, FYES students will be able to participate in up to three co-op opportunities.
Admissions Requirements
Students interested in the FYES program should apply through Drexel University's undergraduate admissions process. The program is open to first-year students who are undecided about their major or who want to explore several academic disciplines. Transfer students who have completed less than 26 semester credits and are looking to explore their academic options are also welcome to apply. Drexel’s academic advisors will work closely with transfer students to ensure that credits are maximized toward completing a degree on time.
For additional information, please visit the First-Year Exploratory Studies webpage.
For undergraduate advising, please contact Tara Liss-Marino at tjl328@drexel.edu
Degree Requirements
| University Requirements | ||
| CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development * | 1.0 |
| UNIV H101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| or UNIV S101 | The Drexel Experience | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 111 | English Composition I | |
| ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 112 | English Composition II | |
| ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 113 | English Composition III | |
| MATH 101 | Introduction to Analysis I | 4.0 |
| MATH 102 | Introduction to Analysis II | 0.0,4.0 |
| Social Science electives | 18.0 | |
| Science courses | 8.0 | |
| Program Requirements | ||
| AS-I 104 | A Journey in Arts & Sciences I | 3.0 |
| AS-I 105 | A Journey in Arts & Sciences II | 3.0 |
| FYE 102 | Academic Exploration and Planning | 1.0 |
| FYE 103 | Career Exploration and Planning | 1.0 |
| Exploratory Track courses | 120.0 | |
| Free electives | ||
| Select any unrestricted courses within the 100-499 level | 6.0 | |
| Total Credits | 176.0-180.0 | |
Sample Plan of Study
4 years, no co-op
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 101 or ENGL 111 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research or English Composition I | 3.0 |
| MATH 101 | Introduction to Analysis I | 4.0 |
| UNIV H101 or UNIV S101 | The Drexel Experience or The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| Exploratory Track course | 3.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| AS-I 104 | A Journey in Arts & Sciences I | 3.0 |
| ENGL 102 or ENGL 112 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing or English Composition II | 3.0 |
| FYE 102 | Academic Exploration and Planning | 1.0 |
| MATH 102 | Introduction to Analysis II | 0.0,4.0 |
| Exploratory Track course | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 10-14 | |
| Spring | ||
| AS-I 105 | A Journey in Arts & Sciences II | 3.0 |
| CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
| ENGL 103 or ENGL 113 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres or English Composition III | 3.0 |
| FYE 103 | Career Exploration and Planning | 1.0 |
| Exploratory Track course | 3.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Summer | ||
| VACATION | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 6.0 | |
| Science course | 4.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective * | 4.0 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Winter | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 6.0 | |
| Science course | 4.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| VACATION | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 12.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 12.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| VACATION | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 176-180 | |
- *
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 101 or ENGL 111 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research or English Composition I | 3.0 |
| MATH 101 | Introduction to Analysis I | 4.0 |
| UNIV H101 or UNIV S101 | The Drexel Experience or The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| Exploratory Track course | 3.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| AS-I 104 | A Journey in Arts & Sciences I | 3.0 |
| ENGL 102 or ENGL 112 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing or English Composition II | 3.0 |
| FYE 102 | Academic Exploration and Planning | 1.0 |
| MATH 102 | Introduction to Analysis II | 0.0,4.0 |
| Exploratory Track course | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 10-14 | |
| Spring | ||
| AS-I 105 | A Journey in Arts & Sciences II | 3.0 |
| CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development * | 1.0 |
| ENGL 103 or ENGL 113 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres or English Composition III | 3.0 |
| FYE 103 | Career Exploration and Planning | 1.0 |
| Exploratory Track course | 3.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 6.0 | |
| Science course | 4.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 6.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Science course | 4.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 12.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Winter | ||
| COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Spring | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 12.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 176-180 | |
- *
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 101 or ENGL 111 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research or English Composition I | 3.0 |
| MATH 101 | Introduction to Analysis I | 4.0 |
| UNIV H101 or UNIV S101 | The Drexel Experience or The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| Exploratory Track course | 3.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| AS-I 104 | A Journey in Arts & Sciences I | 3.0 |
| ENGL 102 or ENGL 112 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing or English Composition II | 3.0 |
| FYE 102 | Academic Exploration and Planning | 1.0 |
| MATH 102 | Introduction to Analysis II | 0.0,4.0 |
| Exploratory Track course | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 10-14 | |
| Spring | ||
| AS-I 105 | A Journey in Arts & Sciences II | 3.0 |
| CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development * | 1.0 |
| ENGL 103 or ENGL 113 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres or English Composition III | 3.0 |
| FYE 103 | Career Exploration and Planning | 1.0 |
| Exploratory Track course | 3.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| VACATION | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 6.0 | |
| Science course | 4.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 6.0 | |
| Science course | 4.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Summer | ||
| COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 12.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Summer | ||
| COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 12.0 | |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Summer | ||
| COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Exploratory Track courses | 15.0 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 176-180 | |
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)