The major exploration academic advisor helps students discover academic interests and identify strengths as they consider their degree options at UT. Through one-on-one personalized exploration, students work toward declaring a best fit major while still ensuring a timely graduation. These appointments provide targeted assistance for students who wish to talk with a professional staff member to overcome the questions and challenges facing students who are unsure.
A basic study skills course that assists students in enhancing college success skills, setting goals and developing personal responsibility for their academic experiences.
The Academic Success Center hosts various workshops and events throughout the year that focus on identifying interests and strengths, exploring possible majors, making decisions and highlighting how majors connect to career options. All students are invited to attend workshops and events that cover topics related to questions they may have. These events are often in collaboration with Career Services to emphasize both major and career exploration, assisting students in understanding their holistic opportunities at UT that connect to life beyond graduation.
All undecided students are automatically enrolled in a Major Exploration program organization on Blackboard. This provides a variety of tools and resources to further assist students in declaring a major. Students who are interested in this organization can add it in their own Blackboard to have access to the resources at any time.
Parents often have a few questions when their son or daughter is undeclared about a major. At UT, we want to assure you that many students start off as undeclared. In fact, about 30% of the first-year class starts its college career by exploring academic and career options. To them, four years seems like a lifetime. What’s the rush? When you take a moment to think about it, your student has literally only lived (four-year) cycles in their whole life. So, to them, they have a lifetime to make decisions about their major. We are committed to assisting your student with this process. We want them to make a good choice regarding their major, their future academic goals and their career.
The Academic Success Center at UT has an academic exploration specialist dedicated to assisting your student as they research possible major options. For some students, picking a major feels like walking into an ice cream shop with 31 flavors. Which one do I choose? The University of Tampa offers 200 academic programs of study. Undeclared students should meet with the academic exploration specialist at least once during their first term in college.
Students often think they can relax their first semester. The reality is students must be very intentional about discovering a major. Often students would prefer that the Harry Potter “Sorting Hat” would magically tell them what degree/career they should pursue. We all wish it would be that easy. Parents can help their student by encouraging them to follow these four important tips:
- Once a student arrives at UT and completes orientation, they can request an appointment with the academic exploration specialist. To do so, they should email advising@ut.edu and indicate that they are undeclared and would like to meet with the academic exploration specialist. They will receive an email in their UT email with further instructions on how to set up an appointment.
- Encourage your student to check out some of the academic student organizations on campus. It is a great way for them to make new friends, as well as learn more about an area they might be interested in pursuing. Check out the academic student organizations.
- Check out our Academic Exploration webpage. It has great information on resources, where to start, services and major myths related to being an undeclared student.
One of the hallmarks of The University of Tampa is that the faculty members are engaging and responsive to their students. As faculty, it is important to realize some students are still exploring their options and come to college as undeclared. You can serve as a vital resource to them by simply sharing your academic path and the story of what factors or experiences led you to your profession. During the first month of classes these simple suggestions could make all the difference to a student who is undecided about their major/career.
- A strong general education curriculum that allows students to explore: A strong, structured core curriculum allows students to explore many different academic areas and opportunities where they have intellectual interests. Share what you know about the various professions within your area of expertise.
- Explain how the things you are teaching can lead to more in-depth concepts. Students often want to know where a survey course might lead. What are the next steps from a course and curriculum perspective? Often students do not realize that to prepare for a certain field you might have to take three more math classes. Help them know some of the options available in your field.
- Encourage questions about your field. Undecided students may find faculty very helpful when picking a major. Faculty can provide mentorship, ideas and inspiration, and show students the possibilities within a particular major or subject area. Tell them about your professional heroes. Who inspired you and why?
- Encourage students by asking them questions about their interests, what they hope to be or what they want to change. Often students see the classroom as transactional; the faculty give out knowledge, the students give knowledge back and then they receive a grade. The more students connect with you, the more students might connect to your field. A few questions at the beginning of a class can help you learn more about your students and create even more interest and learning.
- Encourage those who are undeclared to go see the academic exploration specialist on campus. The major exploration academic advisor is located in the Academic Success Center and is a great resource for students who do not yet know what they wish to declare as their major.
