Ithaca College

The Exploratory Program seeks faculty to teach "Exploring the Options," a 1-credit course that helps first-year, first-semester students develop the investigative and decision-making skills they need to make authentic choices about their academic and professional goals. Faculty are compensated for one credit per section in load or over load.

"Exploring the Options" is capped at a maximum of 15 students, and it is generally offered only during fall semesters. Students enrolled in a faculty member's section become that faculty member's advisees. The relationship between faculty member and advisee, among other aspects of the program as a whole, is a key to its success. While the course is not required, approximately 80% of incoming Exploratory students opt to take it. Once a student selects a major, they are reassigned to an advisor in their home department. 

The Exploratory Program touts a number of strengths. Among these, faculty share a common syllabus, common assignments and rubrics, and an extensive library of curated readings and media that faculty and students supplement with fresh finds. Faculty who teach "Exploring the Options" are also invited and urged to offer insight into course revisions for subsequent semesters. Faculty members who teach "Exploring the Options"  get together for professional development multiple times during the fall semester. We also offer social get-togethers, which help us foster dialog across schools, programs, and departments. 

If you would be interested in teaching "Exploring the Options", please contact Exploratory Program Director Maria DiFrancesco, mdifrancesco@ithaca.edu. You won't regret it.