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Undegraduate Academics

Exploration Focus

ยป Exploration Focus

The Exploration Focus is one of your General Education requirements at Chapman University.

The purpose of the Exploration Focus is to give you the chance to explore areas of study outside your major. The requirement can be met in one of four ways:

  • Adding a minor.
  • Taking a second major.
  • Enrolling in the University Honors Program.
  • Taking a themed inquiry.

Which of these four paths you choose is up to you. See below for more information on each one.

Option 1: Adding a minor

A minor is a secondary area of academic focus that you can pursue alongside your major. They don’t require as many credits as a major, so they are quicker to complete.

We offer minors in many different subjects. You can choose a minor related to your major (for example, a major in English and a minor in Journalism) or one unrelated (for example, a major in Chemistry and a minor in Art History).

  • You cannot take a minor that is the same as your major. For example, a History major cannot take a History minor to fulfill the requirement.
  • The minor must have 12 unique credits that are not shared with the major or any other minor. This applies to all courses listed in both degrees or minors, not just to those courses you take.
  • For a full list of available minors, see our Program Finder. For information on how to add a minor once you are at Chapman, see our Adding Majors and Minors page.

 

Option 2: Taking a second major

If you want to explore multiple subjects in depth during your time at university, taking a second major is a great way to do so. You may take any combination of majors that you want.

Keep in mind that majors take many credits to complete. Taking a second major is a greater commitment than adding a minor or a themed inquiry.

  • At least 18 credits must be unique between your first and second major. This applies to all courses listed in both degrees, not just to those you take.
  • Nine credits from each major may share courses with the GE program.
  • For a full list of available majors, see our Program Finder. For information on how to add or change a major once you are at Chapman, see our Adding Majors and Minors page.

 

Option 3: Enrolling in the University Honors Program

Being admitted to the University Honors Program satisfies the Exploration Focus requirement. See our University Honors Program page for more information on how to apply.

 

Option 4: Taking a themed inquiry

A themed inquiry is an alternative to a minor or a second major. Themed inquiries are groups of classes based around a specific theme or topic. Taking four classes within any themed inquiry fulfills the Exploration focus requirement.

  • No courses used to complete the themed inquiry area may be in the discipline of your major. While there may be courses in your major discipline available in the themed inquiry, you may not use them to complete the themed inquiry.
  • Some themed inquiry courses are not open to certain majors, which is noted in the themed inquiry description.
  • No themed inquiry courses may be shared with GE.
  • Transfer students who choose a themed inquiry should be aware of specific transfer policies that will affect them. See GE Policies for Transfer Students.
  • A secondary area (minor/second major/honors/themed inquiry) must be selected by the time you have completed 60 credits, or you will have a registration hold placed on your account.
  • You must declare a themed inquiry officially through the Office of the University Registrar. To do so, please visit the Academic Program Changes information page.
  • For more information on themed inquiries and to see the groupings and lists of classes, see our Themed Inquiries page.

Tips for completing the Exploration Focus

  • Some major/minor combinations may not be allowed. For further guidance on double major or majors/minor combinations that are not allowed, please contact the Office of the University Registrar at registrar@chapman.edu.
  • Choose the option that’s right for you. The choice of major, minor, University Honors Program or themed inquiry is up to you. Some factors to take into account are the number of credits required in your major (BS, BM and BFA degrees tend to have high credit counts required) and your long-term goals.

 

Exploration Focus Learning Outcomes


Integrates an additional specialized knowledge with the major field or adds a secondary area of study in order to enrich personal or professional goals.

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