Exploring Majors

Some students enter college knowing exactly which major they wish to pursue. Other new students want to explore their options before they declare a major. We want to ensure that you stay on track to graduate in four years while you are exploring. That is important for you academically and financially.

When You'll Select Your Major

College policy requires that students choose a major by the time they have earned 45 credits. This includes transfer and test credits as well as college credits earned while still in high school (like RIC’s Early Enrollment Program). But if you are not quite sure of your direction, how do you choose your courses?

How Our Exploring Rhode Maps Can Help

The college has created 6 Exploring Academic Rhode Maps, each of which represents an exploring area for new freshmen and transfers (with fewer than 45 credits) who have not yet decided on a major. The maps include the majors associated with those six broad areas of focus, and each has a three-semester academic plan. 

Arts Exploration

If you select Exploring Arts, you are considering a possible major in Art, Dance, Film Studies, Music or Theatre. Your Academic Rhode Map will keep you on track so that you will be able to declare a major by the time you reach 45 credits. As your academic advisor, the Office of Academic Advising staff will guide you through the map. The map is two-sided, with the three-semester plan and checkpoints on the front, and a listing of course numbers and titles on the back.

Arts Details and Rhode Map

Business Exploration

If you select Exploring Business, you are considering a possible major in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Health Care Administration (HCA), Management or Marketing. Your Academic Rhode Map will keep you on track so that you will be able to declare a major by the time you reach 45 credits.  As your academic advisor, the advising staff will guide you through the map. The map is two-sided, with the three-semester plan and checkpoints on the front and a listing of course numbers and title on the back.

Business Details and Rhode Map

Health Sciences Exploration

If you select Exploring Health Sciences, you are considering a possible major in Health Science (with additional concentrations in Human Services or Medical Laboratory Sciences), Medical Imaging (Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or Radiography), or Nursing.

Health Sciences Details and Rhode Map

Humanities Exploration

If you select Exploring Humanities, you are considering a possible major in English, History, Philosophy or Modern Languages (Francophone Studies, French, Latin American Studies, Portuguese, Spanish). Your Academic Rhode Map will keep you on track so that you will be able to declare a major by the time you reach 45 credits. As your academic advisor, the advising staff will guide you through the map. The map is two-sided, with the three-semester plan and checkpoints on the front and a listing of course numbers and title on the back.

Humanities Details and Rhode Map

Science/Math Studies Exploration

If you select exploring Science/Math Sciences then you are considering a possible major in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics.

Science/Math Details and Rhode Map

Social & Behavioral Sciences Exploration

If you select Exploring Social & Behavioral Sciences, you are considering a possible major in Africana Studies, Anthropology, Communication, Environmental Studies, Gender Studies, Geography, Global Studies, Justice Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Social Work or Sociology. Your Academic Rhode Map will keep you on track so that you will be able to declare a major by the time you reach 45 credits. As your academic advisor, the Office of Academic Advising staff will guide you through the map. The map is two-sided, with the three-semester plan and checkpoints on the front and a listing of course numbers and titles on the back.

Social & Behavioral Sciences Details and Rhode Map