Advising for Exploring Students
University Advising 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 student success and engagement.
Exploratory Advisors for University Advising predominantly advise Exploratory Preference (EXP) and Exploring Business Preference (EBP) majors and any student exploring options. EXP and EBP are non-degree granting majors that allow students to explore interests, passions, and majors through our Academic Interest Areas (AIA) or meta-majors from 0 to 55 cumulative credits or first-year and sophomore status.
Academic Interest Areas
Our AIA are broad areas of academic interest that help students explore different fields and make informed decisions about their future academic paths and careers. We also support any undergraduate student exploring majors, minors, or university resources regardless of their college affiliation.
We offer four Academic Interest Areas:
- Business and Innovation
- Health Sciences
- PACES (Public Services, Arts & Culture, Communication, Education, Social Science)
- STEM, Agriculture & Environment
What is an Exploratory Advisor?
An exploratory advisor is a specialized academic advisor who works with exploratory students who may identify as “undecided, underdecided, or undeclared,” or as students exploring their academic and career interests. These advisors provide guidance and support to help students identify their strengths, passions, and potential majors and career paths. They assist students in choosing courses that facilitate exploration across various disciplines while also helping them understand degree requirements and how different academic programs align with their goals.
Exploratory advisors help students navigate the process of discovering their interests, refining their academic focus, and ultimately choosing a major or career path that is a good fit for them. They play a key role in providing resources, assessments, and advice on how to explore various fields of study, all while ensuring students remain on track to graduate within a reasonable time frame.
Meet with an Exploratory Advisor
In addition to serving as specialists in exploration, Exploratory Advisors can help students with questions related to student success and engagement.
We also ensure students remain on track with their degree requirements and graduation timelines. This tailored, student-centered approach guarantees everyone receives the attention and support needed to thrive. Our efforts impact student retention and assist students in identifying, aligning, and selecting their passions, majors, and career goals.
Express Advising is for quick questions (10-15 minutes). An advisor is available to meet via Zoom during the academic semester when the university is open (see the academic calendar for semester dates)
August 25 – 29 (first week of classes):
- Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – noon & 1 – 4 p.m. EST
September 2 – December 12:
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 1 – 4 p.m. EST
- Tuesday and Wednesday evenings (October 28 – November 19 only): 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
UA advisors are available for in-person and virtual appointments Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST, when the University is open. During the summer semester (May 5 – Aug. 15), all appointments are virtual
Use the following instructions to schedule advising appointments:
- Log into student.msu.edu
- NOTE: You will need to register for multi-factor authentication to access the system. Please read these instructions and register.
- 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”
- Black Squirrel Exploratory (MSU Union advisors)
- Brook Trout Exploratory (McDonel advisors)
- Painted Turtle Exploratory (Hubbard advisors)
- Mallard Duck Exploratory (Holden advisors)
- American Robin Exploratory (Brody advisors)
- Select the Major or Program you want to meet with
- 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
- Select the College you want to meet with
During the first week of fall and spring 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 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.