Exploratory Social and Behavioral Sciences
Kick-start a purposeful journey to uncover strengths, define goals and align talents with your career and personal aspirations. With personalized advising and hands-on learning experiences, you can build an intentional college journey that connects your goals to meaningful career pathways.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Exploratory Social and Behavioral Sciences program description
The exploratory social and behavioral sciences program enables you to explore majors and career pathways related to understanding human behavior in interpersonal, cultural and societal contexts.
ASU recognizes that you may be looking for an opportunity to explore possible academic programs when you first enter the university. By selecting an exploratory program, you can meet general studies requirements that all ASU graduates must fulfill while simultaneously exploring a variety of academic courses and disciplines that help inform your next major at the university.
The exploratory social and behavioral sciences track is a student-centered experience that enables you to explore who you are and what matters to you as you engage in deep self-exploration and design possible pathways for the future. Guided by design-thinking principles, you explore your interests, values and skills while engaging in experiential learning opportunities. You immerse yourself in diverse disciplines, which fosters the discovery of majors as well as career interests and pathways.
The exploratory program offers four tracks: health and life sciences; humanities, fine arts and design; math, physical sciences, engineering and technology; and social and behavioral sciences.
You study in these major and career exploration courses:
- ASU 230 Life by Design --- This course empowers you to proactively shape your academic and personal journey, assisting you in identifying your interests, strengths and values.
- UNI 250 Designing Your ASU Experience --- This course provides comprehensive guidance on academic pathways and potential career opportunities, leading to greater confidence in selecting your major.
- UNI 270 Work by Design: Preparing for a Career --- This course equips you with essential skills and strategies to pursue opportunities in your chosen or desired career field.
Through these courses and the exploratory social and behavioral sciences track, ASU encourages you to explore and develop academic interests and make informed decisions about your educational and career paths.
Why study exploratory social and behavioral sciences at ASU?
You receive individualized guidance from academic and career advisors who help you see how your experiences fit into your professional journey. ASU's specialized exploratory courses align your interests with career paths and foster a growth mindset as you move efficiently toward your next major. ASU offers more than 400 majors, giving you significantly more options than most universities. The exploratory social sciences track is responsive to your interests and empowers you to find the right fit without the mid-college crisis of changing majors multiple times.
In addition, ASU's location in a top metropolitan area provides access to internships and professional opportunities with major employers in tech, health care and other growing industries.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| ASU 230 Life by Design |
| UNI 250 Designing Your ASU Experience |
| UNI 270 Work by Design: Preparing for a Career |
| ASU 101-UC The ASU Experience |
| ENG 101 First-Year Composition |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
Students who have completed fewer than 45 college credit hours may change to exploratory.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Exploring social and behavioral sciences on a global scale can be beneficial to students who are narrowing their focus of study. While taking courses abroad, students are able learn more about themselves and what career path they want to pursue.
Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while gaining a global perspective applicable to many careers. They may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this exploratory social and behavioral sciences degree prepares you for
Career opportunities are specific to the ultimate major of choice.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Dean, University College
|
INTDSB 354
exploratory@asu.edu
480-965-9256
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
