Exploring the Liberal Arts
Exploring the Liberal Arts or “Exploring” is a term used by UNC for students who have not yet decided on or declared a specific major. Typically, students choose to be Exploring for one or more of the following reasons. They:
- are uncertain about what they want to study.
- have many interests and want to explore several options first.
- declared a major but no longer want to pursue it.
- were not initially admitted to their preferred major.
Students should take their interests, skills, values, goals, and abilities into consideration when choosing a major. Soar advisors will work with Exploring students to help them navigate and connect with additional resources on campus to identify goals.
UNC new or transfer students, who are unsure about what program of study is best suited to their goals, can choose to be designated as Exploring the Liberal Arts when they enter the University. A clear path for degree completion is of the utmost importance. For this reason, students designated as Exploring the Liberal Arts are required to declare a major by the time they have completed thirty (30) credit hours toward graduation, including transfer credit. (See 30-Credit Policy for Exploring the Liberal Arts Students).
Students with a declared major who wish to change their major status to Exploring the Liberal Arts should contact Soar to make an appointment for review and approval. Students who request this change must have fewer than eighteen (18) credits of registered and/or previously earned hours combined. Students who would like to explore other major or minor options may receive services from Soar regardless of their current major status. Soar advisors can help any student with the process of selecting a new major, yet may only advise students on course registration and provide a Personal Identification Number (PIN) if the student is declared as Exploring.