Exploratory

Find your path. If you’re unsure about your journey, that’s ok—you’re far from alone. The number of LVC Exploratory majors has doubled since 2020.

More than one in 10 LVC students start as Exploratory majors. That just means they haven’t settled on an academic direction. In a place with as many options as LVC, you’ll have plenty of room to try out disciplines and find the right fit for you.

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Exploratory

Learn More About the Program

Exploratory students have plenty of time to explore new and different disciplines: If you’re undecided, you have until the end of sophomore year to declare a major. And in the meantime, why not get to know yourself better (and make new friends) by trying out some of our student clubs and activities? The possibilities are endless!

Explore our Activities & Clubs

Meet Our Professional Advisors

Student meets with Breen Center staff member

Find Your Path

All the Resources You Need

The Breen Center for Career and Professional Development is one of Lebanon Valley College’s most powerful career readiness tools for students, wherever you are in your college journey.

Your Home on Campus

The Center for Academic Success & Exploratory Majors gives you the support you need as your academic path crystallizes. Our comprehensive, peer-led support includes one-to-one and group tutoring, first-year writing mentoring, a drop-in writing desk, study pods, and other assistance.

Explore the Center for Academic Success

75%

of students change their major at least once before graduation

20–50%

of students enter college undecided

Support for Exploratory Majors

Exploratory Advising

First-Year Experience Course

First-year writing seminar course: everyone must take two (FYE 111 and 112)
”Making Major Decisions”—FYE 111 course for Exploratory majors only
- Fall 2020: 12 students enrolled in course
- Fall 2021: 27 students enrolled (double-section)
- Fall 2022: 33 students enrolled (double-section)
- Fall 2023: 39 students enrolled (double-section)

Course Description:

Do you feel you are the only student undecided about your college major?  Would you like to have an answer to the nagging question “So, what’s your major?” It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed about how you will make this decision. Nearly 80% of students entering college are still undecided about their major, and many students will switch majors at least once. This is all part of the normal exploration process. Making Major Decisions will help students to understand the connection between major and career. Your college major opens the doorway to many career possibilities, but it’s up to you to make the most of your experience both in and out of the classroom. The world of work today is complex and dynamic. Through applied learning including interactive experiences, texts, film, and podcasts, students will critically examine and explore academic majors available at LVC. You will be encouraged to explore majors in discussions with faculty and the staff from the Breen Center for Graduate Success and exposed to career paths through self-assessment tools, readings, and informational interviews. There will be ample opportunity to evaluate your interests and explore possibilities that match by connecting with career professionals. 

Preparing yourself for a career is a daunting yet exciting journey of self-awareness and fulfillment. This course and the accompanying text will help you research and develop a flexible yet adaptive major and career action plan. Student should be prepared to focus on self-assessment and their academic and career interests. 

Exploratory Programming

Exploratory Major Expectations

In Their Words

Guidance

The Exploratory advisors taught me to take everything of interest since you never know what might click. If students are unsure about what they want to do or are interested in multiple fields, they should take the Exploratory route.

Ryan Petrucci ’25, Business Administration (formerly Exploratory)

Success

My classes in logic are what pushed me to go to law school. But I appreciated how LVC professors genuinely cared about me and were interested in my future success. They were there for me not just to answer questions about assignments, but to share advice on graduate school and life.

Peyton Carper ’16, Attorney, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Read Peyton’s Story

Discovery

It might seem like your peers have everything figured out, but it’s much more common to not know. Our team of advisors can help you discover more about yourself while you connect with current students, faculty, and alumni to learn about your options.

Sarah Bartz ’08, Director of Academic Success