Exploratory Studies

Requirements are subject to change.

Although some students clearly define their academic and career direction early in their college experience, others may be less certain about their career goals and, therefore, not ready to declare a major.

The Exploratory Studies major gives a student time to adjust to the College’s academic environment and to explore its many majors with the close assistance of a special academic advisor. When ready, students elect a major they can follow through to graduation.

Students in the Exploratory major focus primarily on courses which will fulfill General Education categories. Exploratory Studies majors also take First-Year Seminar: Building Community and Success, a three-credit hour course designed to help students make a successful transition to the College environment. Active learning strategies, time management, getting to know the campus, leadership skills, service learning and developing the academic advisor/advisee relationship are emphasized. This course also assists students in exploring major and career options and how those options relate to students’ interests, values, and skills.

Students in the Exploratory Studies major also have the opportunity to take courses in a variety of disciplines, for example, Introduction to Business or Principles of Rehabilitation. Taking an introductory course in another major can help a student discover new options or narrow down his or her choices.

For more information about the Exploratory Studies major, contact Leigh-Ann Malke, first-year success coordinator at (413) 748-3379 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

Download an Exploratory Studies Sequencing Guide

I. General Education Program (40 - 46 credits)

The General Education program at Springfield College is informed by its century-old Humanics tradition of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to humanity. These requirements have the goal of developing literate, thoughtful, socially responsible students, and instilling in them a spirit of inquiry into the nature of humankind and the universe. Towards those ends, the requirements emphasize and encourage: the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and competency essential for the improvement of the human condition in a diverse society; a search for personal and spiritual values; and the development of an understanding and appreciation of physical well-being. For specific requirements, see the General Education Program section or the Sequencing Guide for this major.

II. Major Requirements

SPCO 110 - First Year Seminar: Building Community and Success Credits: 3

III. Typical Course Schedule, First Semester

ENGL 113 - College Writing I Credits: 3
HLTH 100 - Wellness: A Way of Life Credits: 3
SPCO 110 - First Year Seminar: Building Community and Success Credits: 3
and a general education course, such as: CISC 105 - Introduction to Computer Concepts Credits: 3 or HIST 102 - The Making of the Modern World Credits: 3 and an introductory course, such as: MGTE 150 - Introduction to Business Credits: 3 or RHDS 126 - Principles of Rehabilitation Credits: 3

A note about applying to the exploratory studies major:

Before selecting the exploratory studies major, students should first determine if they are interested in majors at the College that have limited enrollment and/or special admissions deadlines. Academic programs at the College that can be difficult to enter after the initial admissions period include applied exercise science, athletic training, health science - pre-physical therapy, health science - pre-physician assistant, health science - occupational therapy, sport management and all education programs. These programs have limited space and special academic standards. If such a major is a definite goal, it is to the student’s advantage to apply to it during the initial application period. If the student is not accepted to that major, he or she can begin in the exploratory studies major and reapply to that major after completion of the first or second semester (pending space availability).