A student who is undecided on a major of study is considered an Exploratory Student. Once a student decides on a major they must fill out the Change of Major form and have it signed by the appropriate academic department they will declare their major in.

It is very common for students to be unsure of a major at the beginning of their educational journey or change it along the way. It is at this point that students should explore courses of interests and complete the Baccalaureate Core or Group Requirements. It is also important to work with your Academic Advisor and Career Services to begin to develop an Educational Goal.

Helpful Links for Exploratory Students

OSU-Cascades Academic Programs

Career Services

Exploratory Courses at Cascades

How to Choose a Major Checklist

OSU-Corvallis UESP Website

Major Decisions - Penn State

What can I do with a major in... - Cal Berkeley Career Center

How to Explore

It is important as an Exploratory Students at OSU-Cascades that you are continuously working toward developing a plan and declaring a major that will work for you! Actively explore to determine your goals and commitments to your eduction. Below are suggestions on how to begin exploring:

Research Majors

• Use resources to understand what certain majors are. Begin with OSU-Cascades list of Academic Programs (majors) and check out each programs' web pages.
• Attend Interest Sessions hosted by faculty members in OSU-Cascades programs. New sessions each term.
• Advising Guides are available for each major to understand what course you would need to take. Make sure you understand the graduation requirements for a major before you declare it!
• Try this website from Penn State to help research - Major Decisions

Take courses to help you explore majors

• Use list of Exploratory Courses
• Chose courses that can also be counted for Bacc Core (OSU) or Group Requirements(UO)
• Don't explore too long, you only need 180 credits to get a Bachelor's Degree!

Talk to Professors and students already in the major you are considering

• Ask questions about courses you will take
• Ask questions about careers student have gone into after graduating
• Plan how you would go about doing this major (is it realistic?)

Take a Career Development Course or Workshop

• COCC offers courses in Career Planning - see Career/Life Planning listing in COCC's course selection page.
• OSU-Cascades' Career Services department offers a variety of Workshops to assist students.
• Job Shadow and interview community members in the feilds you may consider working in.

Meet with your Advisor Each Term (required for Exploratory Students)

• OSU-Cascades Exploratory Advisors: Dianna Raschio, 541.322.3105 or Kara Branyon, 541.322.3148
• Your academic advisor can provide ideas and concepts regarding major/minor that would fit with your ultimate goals.
• Checking in each term will help ensure you are on track to making this important decision. (You don't want to end up with too many electives!)

Whether you are a freshman trying to understand what path you should follow or a returning student changing career goals, exploring is the key to progressing from an Exploratory Student to a Declared Student. It takes work, but OSU-Cascades offers the support you need to succeed.