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Michigan State University
Michigan State University
University Advising

University Advising

Office of Undergraduate Education

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University Advising

Office of Undergraduate Education

  • Who We Are
  • For Students
  • Advising by College
  • For Advisors
  • News & Events
  • Contact

< Who We Are

  • Meet Our Team

< For Students

  • Future Exploring Students
  • Current Exploring Students
  • Exploratory Advising
  • Family & Supporters

< Advising by College

< For Advisors

  • New Advisor Onboarding
  • Supporting Students
  • Systems and Data
  • Career Development and Advancement
  • Events
  • Awards and Recognition
  • Advising Fellows Program
  • Newsletter
  • Frequently Asked Questions

< News & Events

< Contact

University Advising > For Students >

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(517) 884-6673

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Michigan State University 426 Auditorium Road East Lansing, MI 48824

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UniversityAdvising@msu.edu

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SPARTANS WILL|© Michigan State University|

The Exploratory Preference major or the Exploring Business preference major is a strategic way to start college.

Why exploring makes sense

  • Stay on Track: Advisors help ensure students meet requirements and graduate on time.
  • Personalized Support: Exploratory students work one-on-one with advisors who specialize in guiding students through the decision-making process.
  • Confidence in Their Choice: Intentional exploration reduces the need for multiple major changes later.
  • Career Alignment: Students learn how their interests connect to real-world opportunities.
  • Resources & Support Network: From career assessments to workshops, students get tools to make informed choices with advisors, faculty, and peers to provide guidance every step of the way.

Spartan Family Connections

Spartan Family Connections (SFC) is a central resource for Spartan families as they help their students succeed while navigating life at MSU. 

Explore family resources

New Student Orientation Information for Families & Supporters

Resources and valuable information for families & supporters of Spartans getting ready to come to MSU. 

NSO family & supporter resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I allowed to call and ask questions about my student’s class performance?

This is a great question and we are happy to hear you want to be involved in our students’ success. Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), MSU employees are unable to share student record information unless there is a signed FERMA waiver on file. You can find additional information on Student Privacy Rights online. If students have questions about their class performance, we encourage them to reach out to their professors/instructors directly. Exploratory Advisors are also available to coach students in having these conversations should they need assistance. We want to empower students to have these conversations with their professors/instructors directly.

What happens if my student misses class due to a family death or emergency?

We are sorry when these instances occur, but know they will for some of our students. Please visit the student Grief Absence Policy guidelines for more information. While the most important person students should connect with during these circumstances is their professor/instructor, Exploratory Advisors are also available to coach students through this process.

When does my student have to declare a major?

All students must declare their major before they reach junior status or 56 credit hours. If students have questions about this process, they can learn more by meeting with an Exploratory Advisor.