Undergraduate Education

First Year Exploratory Program

A first-year experience that focuses on decision-making and course selection while advising and supporting students who are exploring their degree options at USF St. Petersburg. Students will focus on satisfying the Enhanced General Education requirements, which are needed for any major at USF. In addition, students participate in workshops and experiential activities designed to explore their passions and connect them to their academic journey.

As a first-year student, who may be unsure of what to major in, the Exploratory Curriculum Track (ECM) may be for you. ECM allows students to register for up to 36 credit hours before they must officially declare a major.

Students declared in ECM, focus on satisfying General Education requirements, needed in any USF major and take classes for exploring major(s) of interest. In addition, Exploratory
Curriculum students are required to complete IDS 2378, Foundations of Interdisciplinary
Knowledge and Inquiry, in their semester to help in decision making and help complete a
Creative Thinking General Education requirement.

Academic Pathways in our Exploratory Curriculum include:

Being an exploratory student is more than just taking a class, program features include:

  • Individualized holistic and developmental academic advising.
  • Seminar courses that provide guidance and support specific to Exploratory Studies
    students.
  • Use of career coaching to discover academic options and plan for the post-
    baccalaureate years.
  • Engagement with peer coaches in the Compass New Student Experience program.
    Want more information? Contact Sheila Goethe, the UGS Academic Advisor.

Want more information? Contact Shelia Goethe , the UGS Academic Advisor.