Exploratory studies allow you to discover your passions before declaring a major. After choosing a topic area, you’ll take courses that focus on your interests and cover general education requirements. This ensures you stay on track for graduation while you explore.
As you take courses and refine your interests, you’ll work with your academic advisor to select a major. Your advisor is knowledgeable about a range of majors within your track and can help you narrow down options. You’ll transition to your degree program equipped with defined career interests and confident you found your right fit.
While you can declare a major at any time, you’re eligible to remain in the exploratory program until you reach 45 credit hours. As an exploratory student, you can also switch between tracks based on your evolving interests. Either way, you’ll be prepared to jump into your degree program on a timely path to graduation. In addition to the social and behavioral sciences track, you can also select:
- Exploratory health and life sciences.
- Exploratory humanities, fine arts and design.
- Exploratory math, physical sciences, engineering and technology.
Is the social and behavioral sciences track right for me?
If you’re interested in human-focused careers, the social and behavioral sciences track may be an ideal choice. Majors in this topic area focus on understanding human behaviors and relationships. In this track, you’ll learn about many facets of social and behavioral sciences, such as:
- Cultural influence on politics, history and human development.
- Factors that drive human behavior.
- Human interactions with individuals and institutions.
- The relation between emotions and decision-making processes.
While your specific career path is dependent on your major, fields related to social and behavioral sciences include teaching, psychology, law, journalism, politics, social work, business and more.
Do you want to examine the complexity of behavior and society? Arizona State University’s online social and behavioral sciences exploratory track allows you to discover your passions while gaining a strong foundation in the field. Take engaging courses that align with your interests and lead you to the ideal major.
Courses you’ll take run the gamut of topics, including social and behavioral sciences, English, math and other general electives. You’ll also take a series of career and major exploration courses designed to teach you about yourself and define your career interests. Courses you may take include:
Our award-winning faculty are accomplished across industries and locations around the world. They include researchers, authors, artists and more. No matter where you study, you’ll take courses from the same faculty who teach on campus. Learn side-by-side with faculty dedicated to your success as you participate in research opportunities and attend virtual office hours.
ASU is a global university recognized for its commitment to innovation, research and high-quality academic programs. Our university has been recognized with peer-reviewed honors from U.S. News & World Report.
in the U.S. for innovation for 11 consecutive years, ahead of Stanford and MIT.
best online bachelor’s programs.
best global universities.
of graduates reported that their experiences at ASU inspired them to explore new career opportunities.
You’re considered a first-year student for application purposes if you’ve never attended college or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours.
To be admitted to ASU, you must hold a high school diploma or equivalent and have completed at least 14 of the following courses.
- Four years of math.
- Four years of English (non-ESL/ELL courses).
- Three years of lab sciences (One year each from biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated sciences or physics).
- Two years of social sciences (including one year of American history).
- Two years of the same second language.
- One year of fine arts or career and technical education.
Note: You cannot have course deficiencies in both math and lab sciences competencies.
Applicants must meet at least one of the following:
- Top 25% in your high school graduating class.
- 3.00 GPA in competency courses (4.00 = A).
- ACT score of 22 for Arizona residents (24 nonresidents) or SAT Reasoning score of 1120 for Arizona residents (1180 nonresidents).*
*Additional information about ACT / SAT:
- ASU doesn’t require the writing portion of these tests.
- ACT or SAT scores are not required for admission but may be submitted for ASU course placement.
Besides a high school diploma, applicants may also meet undergraduate admission requirements through one of the following:
- GED*
- 50 or above for tests completed before 2002.
- 500 or above for tests completed between 2002 and 2013.
- 170 or above for tests completed after 2013.
- HiSet*
- Total score of 75.
- TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion)*
- A minimum total score of 2700.
- A minimum score of 500 on each of the five content areas.
- A score of two or above on the essay.
- California High School Proficiency Examination
- Please contact your enrollment coach at 866-277-6589 if you’ve completed the California High School Proficiency Examination or other high school equivalency diplomas.
*Some higher requirement programs require ACT/SAT scores or additional coursework to satisfy aptitude and/or course competency requirements.
Homeschool applicants must meet all general admission requirements for ASU. You may also need to provide additional documentation after you submit your application. If needed, you'll be notified after we receive your transcript.