Exploratory Studies / Undeclared, Bachelor's
Overview
Exploratory Studies is a transitional academic program for first-year students who are exploring potential majors and career pathways. It is also home to the Pre-Nursing program.
To help you navigate the academic and career exploration process, we offer support in the following ways:
- Inside the Classroom: You’ll take a course designed to help you make connections between your individual strengths and interests and the academic and career opportunities that await you.
- One-on-One: Individual advising sessions with your Exploratory Studies advisor focus on your specific needs and make a four-year graduation plan possible.
- Peer Mentoring: You’ll connect with students who have been in your shoes and navigated their path successfully.
Exploratory Studies vs. Undeclared
We believe in defining you by what you are rather than what you are not – which is why we call you an exploring student instead of an undeclared student.
This is rooted in three foundational ideas:
- Exploration is normal. More first-year students enter Exploratory Studies than any major at DeSales. In our program, you'll benefit from a large network of support.
- Each person is unique. Majors and careers are not one-size-fits-all. You'll be happier and more successful in a field where your individual passions, talents, and values meet.
- A well-rounded education opens doors. The world around us is constantly evolving, especially the job market. An education that combines a broad foundation in the liberal arts with discipline-specific skills will prepare you for whatever the future brings.
As an Exploratory Studies student, you'll get to know the dedicated staff members who can help you find the right career path.
Admissions Requirements
At DeSales, we not only look at your past academic achievement but also your potential for future growth to determine your admission.
We find that students who have demonstrated significant achievement within a demanding curriculum are best suited for academic life at DeSales. Quality of academic performance plays a critical role in the admissions decision making process. This helps indicate a student's potential for academic growth going forward. DeSales University welcomes applications from all qualified students regardless of race, religion, sex, national, or ethnic origin.
Application Checklist
- Application Fee: None
- Transcripts: Official High School Transcript
- Standardized Tests: This program is SAT optional.
- Recommendations: Completed Guidance Counselor Form and Teacher Recommendation Form
All materials can be mailed to:
DeSales University Admissions Office
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA
Additional recommendations
High School Academics - Remember, there is no single preferred high school academic program, but a college preparatory course of study is highly recommended. Here's an example:
- Four years of English
- Three or four years of college preparatory mathematics
- A minimum of two years of modern, foreign, or classical language
- At least two laboratory science courses
Visiting DeSales - A personal, on-campus interview is strongly recommended, but is not required. We encourage you to visit so that you'll have a chance to learn more about DeSales, and we'll have the opportunity to learn more about you, too.
Learn more about Undergraduate Admissions & Aid
When to Apply
We encourage you to apply early in your senior year. We use a rolling admissions system, which means you will be notified promptly about your admissions status—usually within four weeks of our receipt of your completed application.
Priority deadline for scholarship consideration is December 1 of your senior year.
Curriculum
The following plan for your first year of courses is designed to help you work toward graduation within four years while simultaneously exploring areas of interest for a possible major.
Tentative First-Year Fall Course Schedule
- UNIV101: The First-Year Experience for Exploratory Studies Students
- Open Course #1 – to explore a possible major
- English 103: Composition and Rhetoric I
- General Education Course
- General Education Course
Tentative First-Year Spring Course Schedule
- Open Course #2 – to explore a possible major
- Open Course #3 - to explore a possible major
- English 104: Composition and Rhetoric II
- UNIV140: Career Development & Planning OR General Education Course
- General Education Course
Academic Catalog
Tuition & Fees
DeSales can help make your college expenses affordable through a combination of grants, loans, student employment, and scholarship resources.
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets
Cost of attendance for undergrads for 2024-2025
Resident Students
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Room and Board - $13,800
Mandatory Fees - $1,800
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $60,800 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Total cost for resident students: $67,116
Commuter Students
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $46,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $2,298
Total cost for commuter students: $57,122
Off-Campus*
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $46,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $9,192
Total cost for off-campus students: $64,016
*First-year students are required to reside on campus or commute from home.
Parking Fee - $100
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets
Dual Degree Undergraduate-to-Graduate Programs
If you are enrolled in an undergraduate-to-graduate degree program — for example a 5-year, 3+2, 3+3, program — the undergraduate tuition and fees apply only to the undergraduate portion of the program. As you progress into the graduate phase of your program, graduate tuition and fees apply. Please see your respective graduate program for more information.
The financial aid process may appear overwhelming at first glance, but don't worry, we'll help you through it.
Accepted students are automatically considered for scholarships upon receipt of a completed application and are awarded regardless of financial need. Funds for scholarships are limited, so we do encourage students to apply early.
Our comprehensive financial aid packages carefully explain the types and amounts of assistance —including federal, state, and institutional — that you may be eligible for to help cover education related expenses.
Total cost of attendance includes estimates for tuition, fees, room, board, books, and personal, transportation, and living expenses.
You can estimate your total cost of attendance with our Net Price Calculator
Pre-Nursing Program
The Pre-Nursing program is open to all first-year students who do not initially meet the requirements for admission to the Nursing major.
You'll be GUARANTEED ACCEPTANCE into the Nursing major at the end of your first year as long as you earn the following grade requirements — these are the same requirements which must be met by all Nursing majors at DeSales.
Requirements to progress to the Nursing major:
- A cumulative GPA equal to or higher than 2.75 at the end of the spring semester of your first year
- A grade of C or higher in the following courses, which must be taken at DeSales University:
- Biology 263: Anatomy & Physiology I
- Biology 264: Anatomy & Physiology II
- Chemistry 107: Physiological Chemistry
- Psychology 109: Introduction to Psychology
Tentative First-Year Fall Course Schedule
- UNIV101: The First-Year Experience for Pre-Nursing Students
- Biology 263: Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab)
- English 103: Composition and Rhetoric I
- Psychology 109: Introduction to Psychology
- General Education Course
Tentative First-Year Spring Course Schedule
- Chemistry 107: Physiological Chemistry (with lab)
- Biology 264: Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab)
- English 104: Composition and Rhetoric II
- Psychology 240: Human Development OR General Education Course
- General Education Course
The pre-nursing program at DeSales can help you achieve your goal of earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in four years.