Exploratory Advising

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During the transition experience to college and through college, students may not know what major is best for them and therefore, they are Exploratory students. Exploring majors is a great opportunity for self-exploration and skill-building. CORE academic advisors are here to assist students explore their interests, skills, and abilities and discuss how these translate into a major.

Through exploration, CORE helps students identify a major that is best for them. CORE facilitates major exploration through a variety of innovative initiatives.

Reach Exploratory Advising

Walk in Hours

Walk-in advising is offered during peak times. Check Instagram @odu_core for hours.

Email

Email exploration@odu.edu and we will assist you as soon as possible.

Phone

Call 757-683-4805 and we will assist you as soon as possible.

Center for Orientation, Retention, and Exploration

Contact

Advisor/Student Responsibilities

  • create an open, respectful and supportive environment
  • provide you with information about resources on campus
  • provide program application assistance
  • maintain your confidentiality and listen carefully to your questions as well as career and academic goals
  • be engaged in the advising process, by reading your email regularly and meeting with your advisor in a timely manner to avoid delays in registration.
  • prepare for your advising appointment by gathering the information needed to understand program requirements, course options and prerequisite requirements before meeting with your advisor.
  • utilize DegreeWorks and other University provided technologies to create a degree plan, in consultation with your advisor, that will successfully prepare you for application to your program.
  • actively seek and participate in other educational and co-curricular opportunities that will help you achieve your academic and career goals.
  • take responsibility for your academic success!

  • create an open, respectful and supportive environment
  • provide you with information about resources on campus
  • provide program application assistance
  • maintain your confidentiality and listen carefully to your questions as well as career and academic goals

  • be engaged in the advising process, by reading your email regularly and meeting with your advisor in a timely manner to avoid delays in registration.
  • prepare for your advising appointment by gathering the information needed to understand program requirements, course options and prerequisite requirements before meeting with your advisor.
  • utilize DegreeWorks and other University provided technologies to create a degree plan, in consultation with your advisor, that will successfully prepare you for application to your program.
  • actively seek and participate in other educational and co-curricular opportunities that will help you achieve your academic and career goals.
  • take responsibility for your academic success!

Steps to an Undergraduate Degree

1. Connect with an Advisor

Meet with an Exploratory Advisor, and plan the courses you must complete to earn your desired degree or certificate.

2. Complete Required Courses

To apply or declare a degree, you must complete a certain number of credits and required departmental courses.

3. Apply or Declare

You must either apply to enter or request to declare your degree program.

Resources

Please email exploration@odu.edu to determine who your specific assigned advisor is:

Name

Email

phone

Maria Doran

mdoran@odu.edu

757-683-4808

Jessica McGee

jmcgee@odu.edu

757-683-5162

Meagan McMullen

memcmull@odu.edu

757-683-3992

Shiyel Rittenbach

srittenb@odu.edu

757-683-3705

Scott Thomas

wsthomas@odu.edu

757-683-5219

Whether you are in your first year or beyond our exploratory advising checklist will help guide you through your exploration journey.  This checklist will highlight important milestones and activities you will want to complete. Checking these items off your list will help you get that much closer to declaring your major.  Please schedule a meeting with your exploratory academic advisor to discuss the items on the checklist in more detail.

Advising Checklist

Year 1 Fall Semester

  • Meet with your academic advisor 3 times
  • Complete a course in a subject of interest or UNIV100
  • Understand academic policies and procedures
  • Complete a major exploration assessment
  • Complete the exploratory assessment
  • Complete a major exploration assessment
  • Complete the exploratory canvas course
  • Review majors at ODU and sort into categories of No Interest, Possible Interest or Very Interested
  • Attend Majors Fair
  • Declare your major, if ready!

Year 1 Spring Semester

  • Meet with your academic advisor 3 times
  • Complete a major exploration assessment
  • Attend Majors Fair
  • Complete Course of interest
  • Outline requirements for at least two majors of interest
  • Declare your major, if ready!

Exploratory Advising
1500 Webb University Center Norfolk, VA 23529
757-683-4805 (office)

Exploration@odu.edu