Exploratory Studies

Exploratory Studies is housed within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, designed to support you in declaring the major best suited for your career goals. Although you cannot graduate with a degree in Exploratory Studies, it can be declared until you choose another major. As an Exploratory Studies major, you’ll be receive resources and guidance to help you make an informed decision about your education and learn more about yourself in the process. You can also select one of Butler’s more specialized Exploratory majors, such as Exploratory Business, Exploratory Communication, Exploratory Education, or Exploratory Natural Sciences.

Majoring in Exploratory Studies provides you with intentional time to learn about yourself, your passions, and Butler’s 90+ majors. You’ll even have an advisor dedicated to helping you explore majors and career paths based on your unique personality and interests. You’ll meet faculty members from a variety of disciplines, visit different types of workplaces, and take self-assessments to help you determine what major is best for you. And you’ll maximize your credit hours as you explore your options so you can chart an efficient course to graduation.

Yes. Butler has a Core Curriculum in which all students participate regardless of major. Exploratory Studies advisors will help you explore your options while still satisfying the Core Curriculum so you can explore and complete graduation requirements at the same time. Many majors do not get into concentrated degree requirements until second or even third year anyway.

Butler does not have a set deadline for students to declare a major. Most Exploratory students choose within their first two years. If the process begins to take longer, advisors can help you become more proactive in the search to ensure that you are doing all you can to graduate on time. Once you have declared, you will be assigned an advisor in your new area of study.

Not at all. The Exploratory Studies Major does not have a maximum quota, so declaring the major has no effect on your admission.

It’s common for students to declare a major going into Butler, but keep in mind that you’ll begin taking courses specific to that major even if you’re not sure about it. If you change after a year or so, you may find that not all of those specific classes transfer smoothly to your new major. By declaring Exploratory, you can be sure that you will have an advisor that is specifically dedicated to working with you to weigh your options while optimizing your credit hours.