Advising for Exploratory/Undeclared Students

If you aren't sure about your major, that's okay! Any advisor can help you explore your options. Portland State's Pathways group similar majors together so you have the opportunity to work with an advisor who is knowledgeable about multiple programs. Read our Guide for Undecided Students blog article to hear from a student about how to get the most of exploratory Pathways. Review the Pathway descriptions below, and meet with an advisor from the pathway that interests you most.

If you are a junior with 90 or more credits, you may not be able to declare a pathway, but you can still meet with an advisor in the Pathway that includes majors you are considering.

Pathway Options

Business Pathway

The Business Pathway believes in the potential of business leaders to courageously face today’s challenges and fearlessly change the world for the better. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application, you will acquire skills in communication, sustainability, decision making, problem solving, and integrated learning so you can seamlessly move into the workplace and succeed. PSU’s rich, diverse Business degrees will prepare you for any type of Business career and lets you explore the full spectrum of possibilities.

Majors include: Accounting; Advertising Management; Business Technology Analytics; Finance; Human Resource Management; Management & Leadership; Marketing; Supply & Logistics Management

Meet with a Business Advisor

Design, Creativity and Performance

The Design, Creativity and Performance Pathway provides you the opportunity to explore the many diverse ways to engage in a creative life. You will be immersed in an environment of creative inspiration, interaction and study. Develop your craft by building skills and techniques to deepen your engagement with your individual artistic practices. As more and more employers look for people who know how to think creatively, an arts training is a great asset for any career field, either in the arts or in other industries.

Majors include: Architecture, Art Practice, Art History, Cultural History of the Arts, Graphic Design, Film, Music, and Theater Arts

Meet with a DCP advisor

Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics

In the Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics Pathway, you will build a strong foundation in math and science, which will prepare you for a career of learning and invention. You will work with faculty, fellow students, and community members to tackle problems of significance to the community and the world. In addition to classroom and laboratory experiences, you can participate in research, internship, and community engagement experiences. PSU’s programs will equip you with the skills and knowledge critical for jobs of today and tomorrow, in industry, government, business, health sciences, and more.

Majors include: Biomedical Informatics, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics

Meet with an ECSMP advisor

Health, Science, and the Earth

This pathway includes the natural and earth sciences, public health and pre-clinical health preparation. Studying the sciences prepares you for careers in business, education, policy, communication, research, and related fields. In our health programs, you will learn about approaches and strategies that increase health opportunities for all people. You will learn to be a problem-solver who can address illness and disease, facilitate wise use of our planet’s resources, and develop sustainable ecosystems, human societies, and economies.

Majors include: Applied Health & Fitness; Biology; Biochemistry; Chemistry; Earth Science; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Geography; Geology; Public Health Studies; Science

This pathway also advises for Pre-health programs such as pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-nursing, etc.

Meet with an HSE advisor

Language, Culture and Meaning

This pathway invites you to explore the many ways in which humans communicate, create cultures, and document life experiences. Through critical examination of the languages we speak, the cultures we construct, and the stories we tell, you will gain deeper appreciation of the diverse ways in which the human condition is experienced and expressed. Working with faculty, you will build skills in writing, research, critical analysis, creative problem-solving, and cross-disciplinary collaboration; adaptable skills that have tremendous value in every industry.

Majors include: Anthropology, Applied Linguistics, Arts & Letters, Communication, Creative Writing, English, History, Judaic Studies, Liberal Studies, Philosophy, Speech & Hearing Sciences, World Languages (Arabic, French. German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish)

Meet with an LCM advisor

Society and Identity

In this pathway, you will think and learn critically about human behavior and social forces, with analysis of how people create, maintain, and are affected by definitions of race, gender, class, culture, disability and other social locations. Learn about theory, research and practice, while also exploring historically underrepresented narratives. You can pursue careers working with individuals, groups, and communities, in fields such as direct practice, policy and advocacy, research, business, and education.

Majors include: Black Studies; Child, Youth & Family Studies: Indigenous Nations & Native American Studies; Psychology; Sexuality, Gender & Queer Studies; Social Science; Social Work; Sociology; Special Education; Women's Studies.

Pre-professional programs: Pre-Education: Elementary, Secondary, and Special Education

Meet with an S&I advisor

Urban, Public, and Global Affairs

In this pathway, you will explore ways that urban planning, governance, public administration, economics, and international studies can create real impact in the lives of individuals and communities. You will find original solutions to modern challenges and implement them through experiential classrooms and internships. You will prepare to defuse and de-escalate conflict, create social change, and impact policy, economics, and systemic injustice at local and global levels. Graduates find employment in settings such as government, nonprofits, social services, educational institutions, and businesses.

Majors include: Community Development, Conflict Resolution, Criminology & Criminal Justice, Economics, International Studies, Political Science, Quantitative Economics, and Urban & Public Affairs

Pre-professional program: Pre-Law

Meet with an UPGAP advisor

Additional Resources for Exploratory Students