» Exploratory Majors for Undeclared Students

The goal for Undeclared students is to explore academic options until you find the right one for you. At Chapman, we help you through this process with our Exploratory Majors program for first-year students.

There are three key steps for you to take in this program:

Select an Exploratory Pathway: We offer several broad, academic pathways that will help you learn more about and take classes in a subject area you are interested in.
Take part in our Atlas Early Arrival Program (Saturday, August 17-Monday, August 19, 2024): This is pre-Orientation programming exclusively for Exploratory Programs participants.
- You will join other incoming students to prepare for your first semester and Undeclared experience.
- Additionally, you will be able to move into campus housing early. You will be housed with other Exploratory Pathways participants in an Atlas Living-Learning Community. (You can learn more about Living-Learning Communities here.)
Register for University 101 your first semester. University 101 is a 1-credit course (one 50-minute class a week).
- In the class, you will learn more about being a successful college student and be introduced to different majors at Chapman and how they connect to careers.

Faith Nguyen '26

Undeclared to Economics major with minor in Music Business

Faith explored her different interests through the Exploratory Major Program and found her passion in economics. She then combined it with a minor in Music Business to pursue her dream career in the entertainment industry.

Read Faith's story

Selecting an Exploratory Pathway

On the Exploratory Pathways Form (available in late spring 2024) you will select an Exploratory Pathway from the list below that aligns with your academic and career interests.

We will use your selection to block schedule you into a select number (2-4) of courses for your semester at Chapman.

Arts & Entertainment Pathway
- Related majors: Animation & Visual Effects, Creative Writing, Dance, Film & Media Studies, Graphic Design, Music, Theatre
- Potential careers: archivist, casting director, composer, editor, historian, journalist, media consultant, musician, producer, project manager, screenwriter, talent manager
Business, Industry & Public Relations Pathway
- Related majors: Accounting, Communication Studies, Economics, Advertising, Public Relations & Entertainment Marketing
- Potential careers: accounting manager, business management, copywriter, economist, financial analyst, public relations specialist, real estate broker
Education, Nonprofit, Government & Humanities Pathway
- Related majors: Art History, English, History, Integrated Educational Studies, Peace Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology
- Potential careers: elected official, fundraising, goverment organization (DOJ, FBI, FDA, VA, etc.) human resources, lawyer, public relations, school counselor, teacher
STEM: Biology, Chemistry & Health Sciences Pathway
- Related majors: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Health Sciences, Environmental Science & Policy, Physics
- Potential careers: biochemist, laboratory researcher, medical assistant, physician
STEM: Computer Science & Engineering Pathway
- Related majors: Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Software Engineering
- Potential careers: engineer (computer, electrical, software, etc.), statistician

In addition, you may be able to create a custom pathway outside of the options above. If would would like to explore that option, select "Discuss option for custom pathway."

Frequently Asked Questions

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Yes, you will need to select an Exploratory Pathway. If you do not want to select any of the options provided, select the option to discuss a custom pathway.

Yes! All Exploratory Majors students are invited to participate in the Atlas Early Arrival Program.

Since transfer students are not pre-registered in courses for their first semester, they cannot participate. However, they can still work with their academic advisor on selecting the courses that align with their interests and goals.

In addition, our Career & Professional Development office can work with you on career options that align with majors at Chapman.

Before registration opens, we will send you an email with a list of the courses you will be pre-registered in for your first semester. At that point, you will also be able to view those classes, including their dates and times offered, in your Student Center.

It is possible; to request a change, please email explore@chapman.edu.

However, keep in mind:

The process of changing pathways is easier if you have not yet been pre-registered for classes. (You will get an email when you have been pre-registered.)
If you change pathways after you have been pre-registered for classes, you will need to register yourself for new classes that align with your new schedule and have available space.

No, you do not need to declare a major that aligns with your pathway. In fact, you do not need to declare a major until you have completed 60 credits, which should be around the end of your sophomore year. So you will have plenty of time to explore.

After your registration opens, you will be able to move to different sections of the same courses you are registered in (i.e., the same course, but offered at a different date/time), pending section availability.

If you would like to switch course(s) entirely (i.e., drop a course and add an entirely new one), please contact us at explore@chapman.edu.

» Exploratory Majors for Undeclared Students

Selecting an Exploratory Pathway

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to select an Exploratory Pathways Program?

Can I still participate in the Atlas Early Arrival Programming if I won't be living on campus?

Can Undeclared transfer students participate in the Exploratory Pathways Program?

When will I know what classes I will be pre-registered in?

Can I change my Exploratory Pathway?

Do I have to eventually select a major that aligns with my Exploratory Pathway?

Can I change the courses I am pre-registered in?

Questions?