Program Overview

Exploratory Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Exploratory Social and Behavioral Sciences program is designed for students who are not ready to choose a specific academic program of study when they first enter the university. This program provides students with the opportunity to discover the options available at ASU, giving them the time, resources, and guidance needed to assess their skills, interests, and aptitudes.

Program Description

Declaring exploratory status permits students to begin meeting general studies requirements that all ASU graduates must fulfill. The exploratory social and behavioral sciences program also enables students to take some time to explore a variety of academic courses that may lead to a major interest in these fields.

At a Glance

• College/school: New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
• Location: West Valley
• Second language requirement: No
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
• Math intensity: General

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Exploratory Social and Behavioral Sciences program can be viewed in its entirety, including the 2025-2026 curriculum and curriculum archives.

Concurrent Program Options

Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
  • First-year
  • Transfer
  • International
  • Readmission

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Change of Major Requirements

Students with fewer than 45 credit hours may declare this exploratory program. Students may not accrue more than 45 hours while an exploratory student.

Transfer Options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

Global Opportunities

Exploring social and behavioral sciences on a global scale can be beneficial to students as they narrow their focus of study. While taking various general education courses through study abroad programs, students are able to learn more about themselves and what career path they want to pursue.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities are specific to the ultimate major of choice.

Program Details

• Program name: Exploratory Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Program code: ASSBSEXPL
• Description: In this program, students have the opportunity to explore a variety of majors related to social and behavioral sciences professions.
• Fields of study: Analyst, Criminal Justice, Culture, Education, Political Science, Psychology, Research, Social Sciences, Society, Undecided, humanity, law, method, sociology, statistics

Additional Information

• Math intensity levels:
  • General: MAT 142
  • Moderate: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
  • Substantial: MAT 251, MAT 265, MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
• Concurrent degree programs: Specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time.
• Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs: Designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree.