Undergraduate Studies Program                              

College is a place of discovery. To give qualified students the opportunity to discover academic and career interests before deciding on a major, Purdue University offers the Undergraduate Studies Program (USP).  USP is an excellent option for students who are interested in studying at Purdue but are unsure of a major. Many students entering college have a variety of academic interests that do not immediately point to a specific major. USP was created to offer these students an opportunity to explore their options and interests before selecting a major. During the first year, USP advisors help students identify interests and abilities that link them to an appropriate major, while exploring various majors and minors to determine which ones challenge them and move them toward future career goals.

All incoming students in USP enroll in EDPS 105, Academic and Career Planning, a 3-credit-hour course offered by the College of Education. With participation in this class, students are able to expand their knowledge of their career interests, personality characteristics, Purdue academic programs, and the working world. 

Career Opportunities

USP is not a degree-granting program. From here, students will move on to one of the twelve academic colleges or schools at Purdue.

Plan of Study

As a student in USP, you will have up to four semesters to explore programs at Purdue before selecting an academic major that best suits you. A student's plan of study is uniquely designed to fit his/her interests and abilities. Most students declare a major during their second semester or at the beginning of their third semester.

Points of Pride

• 40% of all Purdue students change their major at least once but 86% of students who begin in USP stay in their chosen major until graduation.

• Students from USP have moved on to every available program or major on campus.

• Students starting in USP graduate at the same rate or better than their peers who begin in other schools at Purdue.

• USP has a 150:1 advisee-to-advisor ratio, allowing for individualized attention and more time spent with each student.

Contact

Academic Advising, usp@purdue.edu

Phone: (765) 494-0843, Fax: (765) 496-1139