BECOME THAT SOMEONE
Exploratory Studies at Saint Francis University
INTRODUCTION
Explore Multiple Disciplines while Preparing for Your Future Major
Some students know the specific major they want. Others want to explore with purpose to figure things out. With this program, you can explore multiple disciplines while preparing for your future major, and stay on track to graduate in four years!
Begin Your Undergraduate Journey and Discover Who You are Meant to Be
choose from six exploratory tracks
stay on track to graduate in four years
transition easily into any major
THE SFU LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Exploratory Studies the Saint Francis Way
Exploratory Studies is designed to help students in their academic and career exploration process, including self-discovery, self-assessment, exploring various careers, and creating an academic plan. This is a temporary declaration and students are encouraged to declare a major by the end of their fourth full-time semester.
CURRICULUM & COURSES
What You'll Learn in the Exploratory Studies Program
The Exploratory Studies program at Saint Francis University offers six tracks for students to choose from. Students are not able to graduate with exploratory studies designation. When students declare a major, they then follow the catalog requirements at the time of formal change, in accordance with the change of major policy.
On-Campus
Course Catalog - 25/26 | Plan of Study
There are six tracks for students to choose from:
- Arts, Humanities, & Culture
- Business, Industry, & Communication
- Discover
- Education & Public Service
- Health & Human Services
- Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math
The learning outcomes include:
- Develop research and critical thinking skills by learning how to find, use, evaluate, and apply multiple resources and knowledge related to academic and career decision making;
- Integrate self-assessment results and the influence and impact on academic and career choice;
- Acquire significant knowledge of the processes and tools available for exploring potential majors and careers, including the development of short and long-term action plans for academic and career pursuit;
- Understand and utilize personal, academic, and career resources offered by the University to support personal and academic success;
- Identify and apply effective approaches to time management, goal setting, critical thinking, and written and verbal communication.
EXPLORATORY TRACKS
Discover the Track that Best Aligns with Your Interests
Six Available Tracks
-
The Humanities help us understand others through their languages, histories and cultures. They teach us how to learn as a ‘whole person,’ combining the spirit of critical inquiry with deeper cultural awareness and appreciation. The Arts, Humanities, and Culture track will provide a well-rounded curriculum for you to build an interdisciplinary portfolio.
-
With our Business, Industry and Communications track you will take classes housed in the Shields School of Business. With classes in economics, business and communications you’ll have the opportunity to learn in a small-class environment, network with industry executives, all with a values-based business education.
-
At Saint Francis University we understand that you are unique. You are an individual. In an age of complexity, the simplicity of the message of St. Francis of Assisi has more appeal than ever before: Humility. Generosity. Reverence. Service. Respect. Prayer. Joy. Love. These guiding principles are the values we embrace. Our discovery track will let you explore what path is best for you so you can continue becoming the someone you were meant to be.
-
If you have a passion for helping others, our Health and Human Service track will allow you to embrace a vision of wellness, express a spirit of compassion, and seize opportunities to serve humanity. This curriculum is aimed at enriching and enhancing individual, family and group development while improving human and social conditions. If you want to make a difference in fostering a healthier society, our HHS track is a great place to start.
-
If you have a passion for helping others, our Health and Human Service track will allow you to embrace a vision of wellness, express a spirit of compassion, and seize opportunities to serve humanity. This curriculum is aimed at enriching and enhancing individual, family and group development while improving human and social conditions. If you want to make a difference in fostering a healthier society, our HHS track is a great place to start.
-
Our STEM track highlights an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, this track integrates them into a cohesive learning curriculum. This is a great place to start for those interested in pursuing a career in the science field.
The Humanities help us understand others through their languages, histories and cultures. They teach us how to learn as a ‘whole person,’ combining the spirit of critical inquiry with deeper cultural awareness and appreciation. The Arts, Humanities, and Culture track will provide a well-rounded curriculum for you to build an interdisciplinary portfolio.
With our Business, Industry and Communications track you will take classes housed in the Shields School of Business. With classes in economics, business and communications you’ll have the opportunity to learn in a small-class environment, network with industry executives, all with a values-based business education.
At Saint Francis University we understand that you are unique. You are an individual. In an age of complexity, the simplicity of the message of St. Francis of Assisi has more appeal than ever before: Humility. Generosity. Reverence. Service. Respect. Prayer. Joy. Love. These guiding principles are the values we embrace. Our discovery track will let you explore what path is best for you so you can continue becoming the someone you were meant to be.
If you have a passion for helping others, our Health and Human Service track will allow you to embrace a vision of wellness, express a spirit of compassion, and seize opportunities to serve humanity. This curriculum is aimed at enriching and enhancing individual, family and group development while improving human and social conditions. If you want to make a difference in fostering a healthier society, our HHS track is a great place to start.
If you have a passion for helping others, our Health and Human Service track will allow you to embrace a vision of wellness, express a spirit of compassion, and seize opportunities to serve humanity. This curriculum is aimed at enriching and enhancing individual, family and group development while improving human and social conditions. If you want to make a difference in fostering a healthier society, our HHS track is a great place to start.
Our STEM track highlights an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, this track integrates them into a cohesive learning curriculum. This is a great place to start for those interested in pursuing a career in the science field.
Benefit from Our Dedicated Faculty
Department Contact:
Center for Academic Success
Dr. Renee Bernard, rbernard@francis.edu
CAREER OUTLOOK
Unlock Your Career Potential as You Explore Your Ultimate Degree Path
-
Majoring in the arts, humanities, and culture creates students that are great communicators, excellent writers, and have a love of arts and people. These qualities allow for a host of career opportunities.
- History or English Teacher
- Researcher
- Civil Rights Lawyer
- Journalist
- Museum Studies Curator
- Theatre Production Manager
- Actor/Actress
- Artist
- Advertising Sales Agent
- Counseling
- Event Coordinator
- Public Relations Manager
- Editor
- Translator/Interpreter
- Human Resources Specialist
-
Careers for these majors are available in many industries. Students develop great management skills which are needed for any profitable company. Effective and strategic leaders are in high demand. A few career opportunities are:
- Accountant
- Consultant
- Creative Director
- Financial Analyst
- Reporter
- Social Media Manager
- Sales Representative
- Marketing Coordinator
-
The Discovery track is only the beginning. This track will give you a great foundation to expand in nearly any direction you choose.
-
Education & Public Service majors often make a career out of helping others. Students learn many useful skills that help teach the next generation. You will learn things that are applied directly to teaching at any grade. These skills can also be applied to other opportunities outside the classroom. Education and public service majors are strong in communication, leadership, mentoring and teamwork. These skills provide for multiple career opportunities.
- Teacher
- Counselor
- Instructor
- School Psychologist
- Admissions Counselor
- Librarian
-
Health and Human Services careers span a wide variety of locations, and cases. These majors provide patients tools to navigate through many difficulties. Some careers include:
- Social Worker
- School Counselor
- Child Psychologist
- Case Management
- Probation Officer
- Marriage and Family Therapist
-
Majors in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) career opportunities are necessary for the health of our planet. These majors provide guidance for efficient ecosystems, environmental issues, medicine, data collection, and industrial energy. These careers include:
- Biologist
- Environmental Engineer
- Cyber Security Technician
- Medical Scientist
- Petroleum Engineer
- Microbiologist
Majoring in the arts, humanities, and culture creates students that are great communicators, excellent writers, and have a love of arts and people. These qualities allow for a host of career opportunities.
- History or English Teacher
- Researcher
- Civil Rights Lawyer
- Journalist
- Museum Studies Curator
- Theatre Production Manager
- Actor/Actress
- Artist
- Advertising Sales Agent
- Counseling
- Event Coordinator
- Public Relations Manager
- Editor
- Translator/Interpreter
- Human Resources Specialist
Careers for these majors are available in many industries. Students develop great management skills which are needed for any profitable company. Effective and strategic leaders are in high demand. A few career opportunities are:
- Accountant
- Consultant
- Creative Director
- Financial Analyst
- Reporter
- Social Media Manager
- Sales Representative
- Marketing Coordinator
The Discovery track is only the beginning. This track will give you a great foundation to expand in nearly any direction you choose.
Education & Public Service majors often make a career out of helping others. Students learn many useful skills that help teach the next generation. You will learn things that are applied directly to teaching at any grade. These skills can also be applied to other opportunities outside the classroom. Education and public service majors are strong in communication, leadership, mentoring and teamwork. These skills provide for multiple career opportunities.
- Teacher
- Counselor
- Instructor
- School Psychologist
- Admissions Counselor
- Librarian
Health and Human Services careers span a wide variety of locations, and cases. These majors provide patients tools to navigate through many difficulties. Some careers include:
- Social Worker
- School Counselor
- Child Psychologist
- Case Management
- Probation Officer
- Marriage and Family Therapist
Majors in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) career opportunities are necessary for the health of our planet. These majors provide guidance for efficient ecosystems, environmental issues, medicine, data collection, and industrial energy. These careers include:
- Biologist
- Environmental Engineer
- Cyber Security Technician
- Medical Scientist
- Petroleum Engineer
- Microbiologist
Frequently asked questions about the Exploratory Studies Program at Saint Francis University
-
No. Students are not able to graduate with exploratory studies designation. When students declare a major, they then follow the catalog requirements at the time of formal change, in accordance with the change of major policy.
No. Students are not able to graduate with exploratory studies designation. When students declare a major, they then follow the catalog requirements at the time of formal change, in accordance with the change of major policy.