For Parents

As a parent, watching your son or daughter head off to college can be an uncertain time. But rest assured, students in the Exploratory Program work closely with faculty advisers and other staff members during their first semesters at Ithaca College, as they spend that time making important decisions about their major and possible career choices. Below you will find the answers to commonly asked questions about the Exploratory Program we often receive from other parents and students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my student still be able to graduate on time?

Yes! The Exploratory Program at Ithaca College has been explicitly designed to ensure that your child does not fall behind in meeting requirements for graduation. All students in the School of Humanities and Sciences must complete 33 general education requirements during their course of study. Exploratory Program advisers will guide students through the registration process each semester to ensure that they are making adequate progress. What's more, students often discover that classes they take to meet these general education requirements lead to the selection of a major or minor.

Will he/she be able to study abroad and still finish on time?

Yes. Studying abroad and interacting with other cultures can be an extremely valuable and rewarding aspect of a liberal arts education. Exploratory students may choose from the same wide range of study-abroad opportunities as any other Ithaca College student. For any major, careful planning is necessary for students who plan to study abroad. Students will work with their adviser and the Office of International Programs staff to explore their study-abroad options and best plan their semester schedules.

How does the advising system work? How are courses chosen?

Finding an academic focus can be an uncertain journey, and excellent advising is crucial to the success of the Exploratory Program. All exploratory students are assigned to a faculty adviser, who will work closely with them to help identify their evolving interests and possible areas of study. Advisers guide course selection and provide advice about complementary coursework and opportunities outside the classroom. A large majority of exploratory students choose their adviser through their Ithaca seminar, which assures that they will have frequent and meaningful contact with faculty advisers who are specially attuned to first-year students' concerns.

How long does my student have to decide on a major?

Exploratory students may remain in the program for up to four semesters; however, many select a major by the end of their first year at Ithaca College.

Can she/he choose a major outside the School of Humanities and Sciences?

Certainly. In recent years, about 40 percent of all exploratory students chose a major outside the School of Humanities and Sciences. Students are free to apply for a transfer to the Schools of Communications, Business, Music, Health Sciences and Human Performance, or the Division of Interdisciplinary and International Studies.

Will general education courses apply to majors in others schools at Ithaca College?

Yes. All general education courses will count as liberal arts electives for most majors outside the School of Humanities and Sciences.

If he/she transfers to another school at Ithaca College, what are the deadlines and criteria?

Each school at Ithaca College has its own internal transfer criteria and deadlines. You may find this information in the introductory section for each school in the undergraduate catalog. Students who wish to transfer from the Exploratory Program to another school work closely with their faculty advisers and the Office of Academic Advising throughout the process.

Still have questions?

Click on "How to Find Out More" to contact the Exploratory Program director or the Office of Admission. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the Exploratory Program.