Choosing a major before starting college can be daunting, so Widener offers this unique path to help you build a strong foundation as you explore your options. Here, you'll explore various academic majors while completing general education and introductory courses.
Explore all Widener program options, including 4+1 fast tracks to a master's degree and how to differentiate your skills and support your interests with Foundations & Transformations course selections, minor and certificate options, and study abroad opportunities, and more.
Access personalized coaching, tutoring, and advising to conquer any academic challenge or concern, focused support from the writing center, math center, and a range of academic resources and FAQs for navigating learning technology tools, course registration, student planning, and more.
Receive personalized, one-on-one career support and guidance from expert counselors and access helpful resources to explore and design your career, get to know your value, skills, and strengths, learn to build your professional brand and network, and more.
Finding an academic and career pathway that fits you best begins with intentional exploration. For Exploratory Studies students this starts with completing a mandatory Focus 2 assessment to help you get a deeper understanding of your strengths, skills, values, and goals. Focus 2 must be completed before your advisor meeting for spring classes in order to register for spring courses.
To get started:
The Career Design & Development team provides additional support and resources to help you explore not only careers and their outlooks, but your personality, abilities, values, and interests to help you pair your unique qualities with a fulfilling career.
With so many options to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to know how to register for courses. Thankfully, you have a lot of people to help you with this process!
Most students take 15-16 credits per semester, meaning typically 5 courses per semester plus a lab or physical education requirement possibly. The range of credits for a full-time student is 12-18. Students wishing to take over 18 credits will need approval and may require additional tuition.
Your academic advisor will help you decide what courses to take based on university requirements (ENGL 101, ASC 101, Math proficiency, PE) and distribution requirements (9 credits in Humanities, Social Sciences, and Math/Science) as well as introductory courses of majors you may be interested in.
To register for classes, you'll complete a few simple steps:
As an exploratory studies student, you'll have access to professional academic advising and peer mentoring. But with so many options, who do you turn to for help?
When to Declare Your Major
We're here to keep you on track to meet your goals and graduate on time. While many students declare a major after their first year at Widener, you can remain in Exploratory Studies for up to four semesters.
In most cases, provided that you've shared all academic interests with your advisors, and successfully followed your curriculum ladder, you should be able to graduate in four years.
How to Declare Your Major
When you're ready to declare, you'll want to do the following:
You can declare a minor at the same time or after you declare your major. However, if you do have an idea of what you'd like your minor to be before you declare a major, you can review the minor requirements in the course catalog and work those into your schedule when you register for classes.
Yes! Study abroad opportunities vary widely from weeklong excursions to full semesters away. Like any significant academic decision, your advisors will help you determine the best program and timeline for you.
Visit the study abroad page to find out more about the cross-cultural experiences we offer.
Procrastination can seriously impact your academic performance, stress levels, and overall well-being, but with a few simple strategies, you can turn things around. By managing your time effectively, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and using resources like tutoring and academic coaching, you can stay focused, reduce stress, and set yourself up for success.
In part two of the Transformational College Experience series, Dante DiBattista offers strategies to optimize your time and productivity. By understanding the value of your time, minimizing decision fatigue, and creating personalized routines, you can enhance your focus and efficiency, ultimately leading to a more successful and balanced college life.
Welcome to your crash course in leveraging your college experience to make meaningful change in your life. The Transformational College Experience is a three-part blog series of tips and tools based on lectures given by alum Dante DiBattista ’17. In part one, we’ll explore how small mindset adjustments can make a world of difference in your college success.
While you're exploring your major options, you'll also be introduced to Widener's signature degree specializations and program options. From ROTC to pre-professional pathways in fields like medicine and law to Widener's 4+1 program—which allows you to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree in just five years—there's so much to discover.
Finding a career that fits you best begins with intentional exploration. The Career Design & Development team provides resources to help you explore not only careers and their outlooks, but your personality, abilities, values, and interests to help you pair your unique qualities with a fulfilling career.
From personalized academic coaching and tutoring to the math and writing centers, we're here to help. Academic success resources are available to all students regardless of whether you've declared a major. Accessibility resources—including academic, residential, and emotional support animal accommodations—are also available to you throughout your Widener career.
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