Incoming Students FAQs

When do Exploratory Studies students officially move to a degree-granting school/college?

The maximum amount of time students can remain in Exploratory Studies is four semesters. However, most students officially move to a degree-granting school or college during their second semester or after the end of their first year. This official movement is called a CODO (Change of Degree Objective) at Purdue. To CODO, students must meet the intended college's or school's CODO requirements (Change of Degree Objective). Exploratory Studies students adhere to the same CODO requirements as all other Purdue students changing their degree objective.

Will all of my credit hours count if I start at Purdue as an Exploratory Studies student?

It depends. Each Exploratory Studies student works with an Exploratory Studies academic advisor to determine the majors, career areas, and skills the student finds interesting. Using that information and other metrics, including our pre-registration survey and Purdue math placement score, the advisor suggests general courses that will best fit the University Core, the degree requirements, and the student's academic objectives and needs. Sometimes a student will have the opportunity to take degree-specific courses that may not count toward all of the student's degree interests. In that case, the advisor will inform him or her of the options and consequences (and connect him or her with resources, if necessary), but then allow the student to make the final choice.

All new students to Exploratory Studies (freshmen and transfer) are required to take EDPS 10500 - Academic and Career Planning. EDPS 10500 fulfills the Information Literacy requirement of the University Core. EDPS is a course that improves all other courses that follow it!

Where can I find Purdue degree plans of study?

It is the mark of a well-informed student to know what’s included in their degree plan of study before diving into the course work. Congratulations on your proactivity! A degree plan of study lists all of courses required to earn a degree in a given major. That information can be presented in a grid-style four-year format or as a listing of course numbers and titles organized by category - so watch for both types!

The best one-stop-location for Purdue degree plans of study is the Office of Admissions' Purdue Majors and Minors page. This site allows you to browse Purdue majors in an A-Z list, by college, or by career interest. Within each major page is a brief description of the major, a list of careers our graduates in the major pursue, a link to the major's webpage, and a link to the major's degree plan of study.

Are there leadership opportunities within Exploratory Studies?

Yes! There are two Exploratory Studies-based organizations on campus. They are:

Exploratory Studies Ambassadors are current and former Exploratory Studies students who represent the program at orientation and admissions programs throughout the year. The Ambassadors represent EXPL to the Purdue community and to the world through interaction with prospective and current students. Ambassadors build leadership, presentation, marketing, and public relations skills, and get a chance to share their own experiences of our program with others.
Exploratory Studies Purdue Student Government Representatives provides opportunities to serve as representatives to Purdue Student Government (PSG), to plan events, and to increase campus-wide awareness of Exploratory Studies. Involvement in PSG is a great way to hone leadership and public relations skills, to build lasting friendships, and to make both local and Purdue-wide changes for the better.