SBS Exploratory Track

Welcome to the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Exploratory Track program (SBS ET). This program allows students the opportunity to explore academic majors, while engaging in the SBS Pathways framework. SBS Pathways encourages students to think holistically about their college experience by combining academic, experiential, and career opportunities into one cohesive learning experience. In SBS, although every student creates their own unique path, no student travels alone. On your journey, you will work with faculty, academic advisors, career and professional development staff, and peer advising interns to navigate your transition to college.

What Can Exploration Do for YOU?

Former ET Student Shares His Journey

Hi! My name is Angel McEncroe, a current Civil Engineering Major and a former Exploratory Track student. I hardly knew what a college major was before coming to UMass, and didn’t want to commit to studying something that I would regret. Luckily, the Exploratory Track allowed me to study a wide range of subjects right from the first semester – I took an Economics course, a Sociology course, a Math class, and a History class. I could figure out which courses were best for me & what I found interesting, all while still being able to get credit without falling behind. I like that the Exploratory Track didn’t restrict me to specifically SBS courses, as I was able to explore all of the diverse courses UMass has to offer. Even though I had a full 3 semesters to figure out which major I finally wanted to pursue, I came to the decision at the end of my second semester of college. Thanks to the Exploratory Track’s design, I’ll still be graduating on time (if not early) without having to overload any extra credits or classes, even after spending a whole year just figuring out the direction I wanted to take my future. 

Angel McEncroe | he/him/his
B.S. Civil Engineering
Peer Mentor – Pierpont/Moore Cluster
College of Engineering, Class of 2026
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Spring SBS Seminar for First Year Students

New SBS Course Offering for First Year Students this Spring!

Are you interested in making more connections while developing academic and career goals in a small-class setting? This seminar will connect you with like-minded peers, resources and opportunities around campus …

By Odessa Burkett
Odessa Burkett Associate Director of Career and Professional Development for SBS
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How to answer the dreaded “What are you going to do with that major?” question at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving approaches, and it is inevitable that (usually) well meaning aunts, uncles, parents, etc. will ask you questions about college as a way to make conversation. Many of them may not understand majors that don’t have an obvious direct career …

By Carol Sharick
Carol Sharick Exec. Director of Career and Professional Development, SBS
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MEF Junior Analyst Applications Are Open!

The Minutemen Equity Fund (MEF) is a student-run investment group here at UMass, managing $550k autonomously. The Fund teaches members how to analyze businesses and stocks through a rigorous curriculum, strengthens members’ professional network with career development events/workshops/alumni contacts, and …

By Luke Pasterczyk
Luke Pasterczyk
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Relevant Courses

SBS Pathways Careers Courses

SBS Pathways Careers Courses SOC BEHAV 250: College to CareersSOC BEHAV 490C: Pathways to Career Success SOC BEHAV 490C: Pathways…
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Explore Outcomes

The SBS Office of Career & Professional Development annually surveys graduating seniors in order to provide a snapshot of their post-graduation plans.  The survey begins just prior to graduation, and continues until six months after graduation.  Our data collection process is guided by the industry standard put forth by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and includes information collected by the SBS Office of Career & Professional Development, the Office of Institutional Research at UMass Amherst, and by various academic departments, as well as from information that is made publicly available by students.  The SBS undergraduate outcomes knowledge rate for 2022 was 70%, though knowledge rate varies among departments.

The SBS Office of Career & Professional Development annually surveys graduating seniors in order to provide a snapshot of their post-graduation plans.  The survey begins just prior to graduation, and continues until six months after graduation.  Our data collection process is guided by the industry standard put forth by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and includes information collected by the SBS Office of Career & Professional Development, the Office of Institutional Research at UMass Amherst, and by various academic departments, as well as from information that is made publicly available by students.  The SBS undergraduate outcomes knowledge rate for 2024 was 51.3%, though knowledge rate varies among departments.

  • First Destination
  • Top Employers
  • Starting Salary
  • Job Titles
  • Employment Locations
  • Top Universities
  • Degree Types
  • Fields of Study

First Destination

SBS graduates pursue a range of plans after graduation, including employment, continuing education, and volunteering/service, among others.  This graph depicts what recent SBS graduates tell us they are doing within six months after graduation.