The Explore Program at Case Western Reserve University is an essential component of our General Education program for all undergraduate students in their first year of enrollment. Its primary purpose is to introduce students to the diverse academic disciplines offered at the university and familiarize them with campus and local resources and opportunities. The program aims to support students in their academic success, enhance their learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom, and help them build meaningful relationships with peers, faculty, and staff.
Ultimately, the goal of the Explore Program is to empower students to make informed decisions about their major, gain access to valuable campus resources, and set the foundation for their personal and professional success throughout their undergraduate journey.
Learn More About Explore:
All first-year undergraduates and transfer students matriculating with fewer than 30 credit hours are required to participate in the Explore Program. This initiative encompasses diverse activities grouped into three categories: Academic Fields and Programs, University Resources, and Student Activities and Cultural Institutions.
To successfully fulfill the Explore requirement, students must engage in at least six activities (and they may participate in more). Specifically, a minimum of two activities should be completed by the end of the sixth week of the student’s first semester, a total of at least four by the end of the twelfth week of that semester, and all six by the end of the sixth week of the second semester. This total of six activities must include at least one event from each of the three designated categories.
Successful completion of an activity involves attendance and checking in at the respective event. When students complete the appropriate milestone by the end of the sixth week of a given semester, that semester’s Explore registration hold is lifted from SIS. When the hold remains in place, students will be unable to register for classes for the following semester. The provided deadlines afford students ample time to make up needed events well in advance of registration.
A student's record of Explore activities will be shared with their faculty Pre-Major Advisor and their Four-Year Advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Support Office. This sharing facilitates follow-up discussions to contextualize the student's Explore experiences within the framework of a four-year plan for success at CWRU.
For more information about the Explore Program, please visit the General Bulletin Explore page.
Within the CampusGroups website and app, you can search for events that will give you Explore credit by searching on the group name ("Explore").
Additionally, all Explore events (whether they are hosted by Explore or co-hosted with another organization) will have one of the three event tags:
- Series: Explore Academic
- Series: Explore University Resources
- Series: Explore Student Activities & Cultural Institutions
Students can keep track of the status of their Explore requirements by checking the official records in CampusGroups on a web browser (please note that the mobile app will not have this information). Once logged in, students should navigate to “My Activity” and then “My Checklists”.
Checklists will display the completed Explore events that the student has attended and checked in to. (see below)
1. I cannot check in at the event, how do I get credit?
If you are unable to check in at the event, please take a selfie of yourself at the event and email it to explore@case.edu with an explanation. We will manually check you into the event.
2. Why does my Explore Program progress bar show 0%, but I have attended 4 events?
If events are attended after the deadlines, the progress percentage remains at zero due to missed deadlines. However, this won't affect the overall Explore requirement.
3. Events I attended are missing from my checklist, what should I do?
To ensure proper tracking of your attendance, always scan the QR code and check in at Explore events. Attendance is only recorded through this process, and failure to check in means you won't receive credit. Additionally, ensure the missing events were hosted or co-hosted by Explore, as your checklist only logs Explore-sponsored events.
4. Can I attend more than six events?
Yes! We hope that students find many interesting activities and topics to explore. You are welcome and encouraged to attend as many events as you wish.
5. How long does it take to get an Explore registration hold removed?
Generally, an Explore registration hold is automatically removed within 24 hours once the Explore attendance requirement is confirmed.
6. Can I, or my group, propose an Explore event?
Yes! We are always looking for new Explore events. Please review the criteria for an Explore event and send your ideas to explore@case.edu
7. What are the criteria for an Explore event?
Academic Fields and Programs:
- Activities that provide insights into different academic disciplines offered at CWRU.
- Events focused on understanding the content, modes of inquiry, and career opportunities associated with various academic programs.
- Examples include attending departmental seminars, informational sessions about majors, or meetings with faculty and current students from different disciplines.
University Resources:
- Activities that introduce students to the diverse campus resources available to support their academic success.
- Events that help students identify and access resources beyond the classroom for personal and professional development.
- This could involve workshops on academic support services, career counseling sessions, or tours of campus facilities.
Student Activities and Cultural Institutions:
- Involvement with University Circle cultural institutions as well as broader Cleveland and NE Ohio institutions to enhance the overall college experience.
- Attendance at events that promote engagement with peers, faculty, and staff outside of the academic setting.
- Examples might include student club recruitment events, attending cultural events, or participating in community service projects.