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Oct 21, 2025
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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Exploratory Studies (formerly Undeclared)
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 Return to: Division of Undergraduate Learning
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Program Description
Exploratory Studies (formerly Undeclared), housed in the Division of Undergraduate Learning (DUL), is not a degree-granting program. Exploratory Studies offers a structured course of study for students who have not yet decided which degree program to pursue. The Exploratory Studies course of study supports students in making timely degree progress while concurrently exploring and comparing academic disciplines of interest so they can make an informed decision about declaring a major. Students begin the process of exploring majors by enrolling in courses that satisfy requirements for any approved Clemson University bachelor’s degree. Exploratory Studies academic advisors support students by informing them which courses will apply to the major(s) of interest a student identifies. Students in Exploratory Studies focus on completing General Education requirements, required courses for degree programs, and exploratory coursework for their major(s) of interest. Because not every course a student enrolls in will apply to every major of interest, some courses, depending on the major and any minor a student eventually declares, may satisfy degree requirements, while other courses may count as electives. Additionally, some courses have enrollment restrictions which may prevent enrollment by students in Exploratory Studies. Students interested in pursuing a major with competitive enrollment requirements are advised to create a parallel plan for another major they can pursue as well. Depending on their major(s) of interest, students may be advised to enroll in available exploratory courses in lieu of courses satisfying a general education requirement during their first two semesters of enrollment. Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree are advised to complete required modern language coursework. Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree are advised to complete additional mathematics or science coursework as required by their major(s) of interest. To support making timely progress towards the bachelor’s degree, students in Exploratory Studies are strongly encouraged to declare a major after earning 34 total credits. Students who continue in Exploratory Studies after earning 34 total credits must declare a major prior to or immediately after earning a maximum of 66 credits. An enrolled student may change into Exploratory Studies if they have earned 50 or fewer total credit hours. More information about Exploratory Studies can be found on the Division of Undergraduate Learning website. Second Semester
- Additional Mathematics or Science Coursework 3-4 Credits 2
or - Modern Language Requirement 3-4 Credits 2
- Arts and Humanities (Literature) Requirement 3 Credits 2,3
- Exploratory Coursework for Major of Interest 3 Credits 1,2
- Social Science Requirement 3 Credits 2,3
- South Carolina REACH Act Requirement 3 Credits 4
First Semester
- Additional Mathematics or Science Coursework 3-4 Credits 2
or - Modern Language Requirement 3-4 Credits 2
- Exploratory Coursework for Major of Interest 6 Credits 1,2
- Global Challenges Requirement 3 Credits 2,3
- Social Science Requirement 3 Credits 2,3
Second Semester
- Additional Mathematics or Science Coursework 3-4 Credits 2
or - Modern Language Requirement 3-4 Credits 1,2
- Arts and Humanities (Non-Literature) Requirement 3 Credits 2,3
- Exploratory Coursework for Major of Interest 6 Credits 1,2
- Global Challenges Requirement 3 Credits 2,3
Footnotes
1 Academic advisors may recommend students enroll in up to 18 credits of exploratory coursework required for their major(s) of interest. To determine the best courses to select as exploratory coursework, students are strongly encouraged to review the catalog for the requirements of their major(s) of interest and to consult with their academic advisor. Any coursework selected without, or contrary to, the advice of the student’s academic advisor may result in excess elective credits. Leisure Skills (LS) courses may not be used to fulfill the exploratory coursework requirement. 2 See academic advisor for specific course recommendations based on degree program and/or major(s) of interest. 3 See General Education Requirements . 4 See the South Carolina REACH Act Requirements in the Academic Regulations section. A student who is not required to fulfill the South Carolina REACH Act requirement may select any course that fulfills a requirement for an approved bachelors degree. |
Return to: Division of Undergraduate Learning
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