Explore Boldly with Support at Every Step
Your Journey, Your Future
Why is this the best option for you?
Frequently Asked Questions
That鈥檚 exactly what we鈥檙e here for. As an exploratory student, you鈥檒l have access to all kinds of resources to help you learn more about yourself and what you love, and explore majors and programs, including:
- Free self-assessment tools like Focus2 and TruTalent Learning & Productivity that link your strengths to possible careers
- Support from advisors and career experts trained to work with exploratory students
- Personalized course planning with your faculty advisor
- Signature events like Exploratory Fireside Chats, the Majors and Minors Fair and lunch-and-learns
- The chance to join student organizations and test the waters in different areas
You鈥檝e got time. Most students declare their major by the end of their first year or early in sophomore year (around 30 credits). You鈥檒l need to declare before registering for classes for the semester in which you鈥檒l hit 45 credits, but we鈥檒l help you figure it out way before then.
Yes! Exploratory students can absolutely stay on track. You鈥檒l start off with a solid plan during Meet Your Major, where you鈥檒l get a clear picture of the program and how to work towards navigating your academic journey at 糖心Vlog. From there, you鈥檒l keep building toward a degree that鈥檚 the right fit for you.
Additionally, each semester, we provide you with your exploratory peer leader before your faculty advising session, helping to ensure you stay on track to graduate.
You鈥檒l be matched with a faculty advisor who gets you. During summer orientation, you鈥檒l tell us what you might be interested in, and we鈥檒l pair you with a trained faculty advisor based on those interests. You鈥檒l also be connected with a professional advisor who鈥檚 there to support you throughout your journey, so you鈥檝e got a team behind you from day one.
Find Your Fit. Fuel Your Future.
Explore your strengths, passions and possibilities with tools and support made just for you.
Assigned Peer Leaders
Every exploratory student gets a peer leader鈥攁 fellow Viking who鈥檚 been through the process and can help you navigate your first year. They鈥檒l share tips, talk majors, and give you the inside scoop on what it鈥檚 like to find your fit.
Program-Specific Events
Get inspired, get connected, and have fun while exploring what鈥檚 possible. From welcome events to major fairs and speaker panels, our exploratory events are all about helping you find your direction鈥攁nd new friends鈥攁long the way.
Trained Faculty Advisors
You鈥檒l be matched with a faculty advisor who鈥檚 not only an expert in their field but trained to help students like you figure out what comes next. They'll help you pick classes, explore major options, and answer your questions along the way.
TruTalent Learning & Productivity
Get free access to TruTalent, an interactive platform filled with self-assessments that help you better understand your strengths, interests, and learning style.
You鈥檒l discover how your personality connects to potential majors and careers, explore your emotional, creative and intellectual strengths, and gain insight into how you work best鈥攁ll to help you make confident, informed decisions about your future.

Exploratory Canvas Page
Explore majors, careers and strengths with videos, tools and assessments鈥攅xclusively on the Exploratory Canvas page for current students.
Contact Us
Contact Us
North Campus
352 Lafayette St.
Salem, MA 01970