Exploratory Studies, Explorers, and Exploring at UNO

Not sure what you want to study? Worried that the path to your degree is too long? Confused by the all the options, prerequisites and paperwork? You are not alone!

Like many UNO students, our Explorers haven’t quite decided on a major yet OR they need a bit more time to make sure their plans for a major are a best-fit. Exploring does NOT mean you are lost. In fact, Exploratory Studies students have already made a very important decision—to attend UNO.

Now that you've made that choice, our job here at EXPL is to support your curiosity by showcasing your program options, guiding you toward campus resources, connecting you with UNO's most passionate faculty, supporting you through our in-class MavMentors, providing preferred access to the Maverick Advising Center (MAC) and exposing you to post-academic career options. That's not all, because our Explorer's also fulfill their general education credit obligations.

With us, you can explore your new academic home without the wasting time or money.

In short, we guide Explorers so that they find a major they love, support them along their academic track so that they graduate on time and build their confidence during their time here at UNO.

1. Exploratory Studies is meant as an immediate but temporary academic home. Students cannot graduate with a major in the Exploratory Studies Concentration.
2. The Exploratory Studies concentration supports students up until their first 45 hours with courses that are designed to help students get acquainted with UNO and the programs it offers, as well as purposeful advising with the Maverick Advising Center (MAC).
3. At or before 45 hours of coursework, students move into the college and major of their choice.

Our Courses

EXPL 1000 - EXPLORATORY STUDIES

All Exploratory Studies students will take EXPL 1000, a general education course specifically designed for Explorers which:

• Empowers students to define their passions, talents, and interests to choose a best-fit major/minor.
• Helps students explore different disciplines, Academic Focus Areas, and majors/minors at UNO.
• Draws on happiness and well-being theories to help students better define the meaning of success in college and in life.
• Provides mentorship from faculty, staff, peer mentors, EXPL Ambassadors, and more.

They are offered Exploratory Studies 1000 (EXPL 1000), a general education course specifically designed to explore majors and minors at UNO as well help students better define their passions, talents, and interests by studying challenging issues from interdisciplinary perspectives.

EXPL 1010 - COLLEGE EXPLORATION & SUCCESS

The aim of this course is to set students up for college success. Students will learn about university resources and college level academic success strategies. This course provides students with guided exploration of majors and career pathways.

Students will use various methods to identify and reflect on their strengths and passions to direct their search for academic paths. Students will engage with faculty, peer mentors, staff and peers to foster a sense of community and belonging.