The goal of the university is to help students obtain a quality education by assisting them to select and successfully complete their plans of study. Undecided students are encouraged to review the five Exploratory options below in order to determine which one most closely matches their own interests, skills and abilities.
Please note that "Pre-Education" students need to declare an additional academic major. You should not select "Exploratory Education" but choose one of the other four options.
Exploratory STEM
Exploratory STEM is for students who are motivated and interested in studying natural sciences, technology, and mathematics. These are students who enjoyed taking natural science, math and/or computer courses in high school and have a strong math background. They are interested in careers as medical doctors, nurses, healthcare specialists; working with nature, the environment and/or sustainable energy; operating or designing computer software and/or hardware; working as financial analysis's, actuaries, statisticians, or other analytical careers in industry or government; or as STEM educators. Exploratory STEM is comprised of the following majors:
Exploratory Social Sciences
Exploratory Social Sciences is for students who are interested in studying society, institutions, conflict, processes, and social behavior. Students enjoy learning about human behavior and human interactions and addressing issues that focus on cultures, political ideologies, personalities, and/or the economy. They tend to apply skills and knowledge to questions, challenges and opportunities relevant to societies, communities and human behavior. They enjoy taking history, civics, government, psychology, and social science courses in high school. They are interested in a range of career fields and positions such as psychologists, counselors, advisors, social workers, human services specialists, youth or senior services, social science research, law enforcement, foreign services, non-profit organizations, education, business, journalism, publishing, and public history. Exploratory Social Sciences is comprised of the following majors.
Exploratory Arts and Humanities
Exploratory Arts and Humanities is for students who are interested in studying the way human beings express themselves creatively. Students enjoy taking writing, literature, art, music, theater, history, foreign language and gender studies courses in high school.They may wish to work as authors, musicians, actors, professional artists, graphic designers in print or media, community advocates, painters, printmakers, sculptors, or professionals in art galleries and museums. Students may be interested in fields, such as medicine, law, philosophy, politics, business, diplomacy, applied technology, and the creative arts and education. Students may also want employment focused on gender and race equity, foreign services, public history, public service and libraries. Exploratory Arts and Humanities is comprised of the following majors.
Exploratory Professional Studies
Exploratory Professional Studies is for students who are interested in studying a specific body of knowledge that is practice-based professional learning. These students may have enjoyed taking business, accounting, communication, public relations courses and possibly participating in sports in high school. They are interested in career fields/positions such as being accountants, business managers, marketers, public relations persons, financiers, information system managers, print journalism reporters, television and/or radio producers, news anchors, personnel directors, sports and fitness facility managers, event managers, athletic trainers, coaches and strength conditioning and fitness professionals. They may also have interest in career opportunities within community health centers, and the fields of hospitality, recreation and resort management. Exploratory Professional Studies are comprised of the following majors.
Exploratory Education
Exploratory Education is for students who are interested in studying and pursuing a career in teaching. The Education Department offers undergraduate and graduate programs which lead to an institutional recommendation for teaching certification in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Secondary Education. Students interested in certification programs offered by the Education Department must also enroll in an academic discipline outside of education. In addition to the certification programs offered by the Education Department, the Health and Physical Education Department offers Physical Education certification program and courses leading to cross-endorsement in Health Education. Eastern's teacher education programs are accredited by the Connecticut State Department of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. After successful completion of the program, students will be recommended for certification in one of the following areas:
