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Exploratory and Exploring Business Preference Majors

Supporting students in their major declaration quest by engaging in exploration conversations and activities throughout their initial 56 credit hours.

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Exploratory Preference Major

Exploratory Preference and Exploring Business Preference Majors


Are you exploring majors? Students can select the Exploratory Preference or Exploring Business Preference major at MSU while they are exploring, up until they reach Junior standing (56 credits).

Choosing Exploratory Preference allows you to more intentionally explore your options and make an informed decision on your major. Most students change their majors one or more times, and intentionally exploring puts you ahead of the game. 

The new Exploring Business Preference major is an option for students to explore the vast number of business-related majors offered by MSU’s 14 undergraduate degree-granting schools and colleges. The Exploring Business Preference major helps students understand the expansive world of business and highlights that the major a student might be most interested in could reside in other colleges while supporting the secondary admission process for entrance into Broad College of Business for those specific majors.  

Most majors have electives built in, so there’s room to take classes from different majors while exploring, and many majors can be completed in about two years, since the number of credits for a major is only a fraction of those required for a degree. It’s important to know that for many careers, your major is not the most important qualification (passion for the field, well-rounded experience, and good grades often matter more). Many careers require a college degree, but not a specific major, so we encourage you to explore your passions, values, and interests at MSU. 

Our Exploring Students page is a great place to start engaging with the exploration process. Our Exploratory Advisors can discuss your interests and options with you, and help you create a plan for exploring. Undergraduate education is designed to be broad (i.e., much more than just a major) to develop transferrable skills that prepare you for the multiple careers you likely will have over your lifetime in today’s modern economy. And it’s designed to foster personal growth (which also makes you a stronger job candidate). Choosing a major to pursue a passion isn’t necessarily in conflict with a future career, even if unrelated to your major, since specific majors are often not relevant to employers. Therefore, take advantage of this amazing opportunity to find a major that’s a good fit for you. Enjoy your journey of exploration, growth and discovery!

Advising for Exploring Students


The Exploratory Advisors provide one-on-one academic advising for all exploring students at MSU, as well as hosting interactive workshops and group advising opportunities. In addition to serving as the exploration experts on campus, Exploratory Advisors can help students with questions related to academic performance, socio-emotional engagement, and institutional navigation.

Exploratory Preference Major

How to Meet with an Exploratory Advisor

Express Advising is for quick questions (15-20 minutes). An advisor is available to meet via Zoom or phone during the semester (see the academic calendar for semester dates)

  • Monday – Friday: 1 - 4 p.m. EST
  • Tuesday & Wednesday: 5 - 7 p.m. EST

Express Advising may be related to:

  • General Education questions
  • Assistance with, or questions about, campus resources
  • Help with scheduling advising appointments or tutoring appointments
  • Other quick questions

Express Advising is not for:

  • Planning future or next-semester courses (please schedule an appointment- directions below)
  • Study abroad course selection and planning
  • Academic Probation conferences

You can join the express advising queue by filling out our Express Advising Form.

Express Advising Form

 

UA advisors are available for in-person and virtual appointments Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. EST, when the University is open.

Use the following instructions to schedule advising appointments:

  • Log into student.msu.edu
  • Once you are in the system, you will click on the “Academic Progress Tile”
  • Select ADVISING/TUTORING APPOINTMENTS on the left-hand column. Then click CREATE NEW APPOINTMENT (blue box)
  • Use the drop-down menu in “Category” and select ADVISING
  • Use the drop-down menu in “Advising or Tutoring Unit”
    • Select the College you want to meet with
      • NOTE: To meet with an Exploratory Preference advisor, please select UNIVERSITY ADVISING
    • Use the drop-down menu in “Appointment Reason”
    • Select the Major or Program you want to meet with
      • NOTE: To meet with an Exploratory Advisor, please select your primary academic interest area:
        • Business & Innovation
        • HUMN. ARTS. COM. EDU. SOC SCI
        • STEM. Agriculture. Environment
        • Health Sciences
    • You must indicate your reason for the advising appointment in “Additional Information Required”
      • Provide a statement for why you want to meet with the advisor – please include any questions or thoughts
    • Use the drop-down menu in “Appointment Type” to select in-person, email, phone or Zoom
    • Click Select Advisor
    • Once you complete the above process, you will see the available advisors, times, URL, and the email and/or phone number of the advisor. You can now select a time and date

During the first week of classes, University Advising advisors are available to assist exploratory preference, exploring business preference, and students needing major exploration support through in-person academic advising. 

Our advisors are located in the following locations: 

  • Union Building - Ground Floor
  • Brody Hall – Room 160
  • Hubbard Hall –Main Floor on the west side of the building (across from the Sparty Store)
  • McDonel Hall – Main Floor, Room C-101 (across from the McDonel Kiva)
  • Holden Hall – Main Floor, center lobby (across from the Service Center)

Please schedule an appointment or utilize express advising or exploring business preference drop-ins after the first week of classes

Note: University Advisors are best equipped and prepared to support first and second year students interested in exploring majors, minors, and institutional navigation. Students with 56 or more credits may find our advisors helpful if you need support in identifying new, alternative, and parallel majors. We will not advise for or develop course schedules for upper-level curriculum. 

 

Exploring Business Preference drop-in advising is for quick questions (15-20 minutes). Advisors are available to meet in person or via Zoom/phone during the semester (see the academic calendar for semester dates). Students admitted to the Broad College, students in the Business Preference major, and students admitted to a Broad-sponsored minor must meet with a Broad Business Advisor.  Exploring Business Preference majors, Exploratory Preference majors with an academic interest area in Business and Innovations, and students exploring parallel majors for business interests can meet with a University Advising advisor.

Drop-in days for Exploring Business Preference majors

Zoom Link: https://msu.zoom.us/j/6117636216
Students will enter the zoom waiting room space and be pulled into a private Zoom meeting room by the next available advisor.

  • Tuesdays: 1 – 4 p.m. 
    • Location: MSU Union, Ground Floor
  • Fridays: 9 a.m. – noon
    • Location: McDonel Hall, Main Floor, Room C-101 (across from the McDonel Kiva)