Open Enrollment

OVERVIEW
For students who haven’t picked a major, the open enrollment option explores a variety of subject areas in Drake's 5 undergraduate colleges and schools, with the guidance of top faculty to define the students interests, goals and future possibilities.

Open enrolled students work with professors who are experts in their fields to help the student choose a major when ready.

In the meantime, students will gain a solid foundation in the liberal arts and sciences through the Drake Curriculum.

OPEN ENROLLMENT
Waiting to select a major can be an advantage: It gives students freedom to explore with an open mind.

The Drake Curriculum provides additional flexibility in defining and achieving personal and educational goals. With the help of an academic advisor, students choose courses and experiences that develop critical thinking and communication skills, scientific literacy, cultural and historical awareness, and technology skills.

Life at Drake (in the classroom and beyond) gives students knowledge, perspectives and abilities that are valued in any field — and preparation for the multiple career changes individuals typically experience during their working lives.

OPTIONS
Open enrollment is available in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Public Administration, School of Education, and School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Students considering a pharmacy major should contact the Office of Admission.

GRADUATING ON TIME
In most cases, students can decide on a major as late as the end of their second year and still graduate in 4 years; 90 percent of all Drake graduates do. The exceptions are programs in art, music and physics/pre-engineering. Open enrolled students interested in pre-medicine are advised to follow that program’s curriculum to graduate in 4 years.

CURRICULUM
With an academic adviser, students create an educational plan exploring various disciplines to achieve their goals as well as those of the Drake Curriculum. Open enrolled students take introductory courses in biology, English composition and literature, history, and math.

The Drake Curriculum, required of all undergraduates, is designed to help students meet personal and professional goals as they acquire fundamental knowledge and abilities in the areas of communication, critical thinking, artistic experience, historical consciousness, information and technology literacy, international and multicultural experiences, scientific and quantitative literacy, and values and ethics. Students work closely with their academic advisers to create, implement and revise, as needed, an individual Drake Curriculum plan.

The Drake Curriculum also requires first-year seminars, which foster development of critical thinking and written and oral communication skills through a topical focus; and a Senior Capstone, in which students demonstrate the capacity to bring information, skills and ideas to bear on one project.

SELECTING A MAJOR
More important than when students choose a major is how they go about it. The academic adviser — a full-time professor in an area of interest — helps the student select courses that best fit his/her options. If the student chooses a major in a different area, he/she will work with a faculty adviser in that area. For students whose educational and career goals lie outside the major fields offered at Drake, they can create an individualized major, including interdisciplinary studies in a variety of areas. This option combines courses in several fields in a carefully planned curriculum. The plan must be approved by the faculty adviser, the college’s associate dean and another faculty member.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of 124 credit hours is required for all undergraduate degrees.

CAREER CENTER HELP
The Career Center evaluates strengths and values, explores career options and finds internships. The Center offers workshops on career exploration, resumes, internships, personal interest inventories, mock interviews, and an extensive library on employers and career-related topics.

The Career Center introduces students to alumni who work in fields of interest. Students can also talk with representatives from business, industry, government, nonprofit organizations and graduate schools on the annual Career Day. Career Center staff are available to answer individual questions and concerns.

PEER MENTORS
Students can receive advice from upper-classmen peer mentors in a variety of majors. These helpful people are introduced to open enrolled first-year students during Welcome Weekend, held before fall classes begin, and keep in touch with them throughout the year. Drake’s colleges and schools also have assistant/associate deans who can advise and inform students on courses and careers.

ON-CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES
Students can join campus organizations to enhance leadership and other abilities, gain knowledge, meet others and have fun. Drake offers more than 160 student organizations, including professional societies that sponsor career-related events, special interest and social groups, student government, the Residence Hall Association and the Student Activities Board. Most groups are open to first-year students.

OFF-CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES
Students can connect with the Des Moines community through professional internships, volunteer activities and contacts with local alumni, many of whom are leaders in business, government and more. They offer new perspectives on professional and personal options.

VISIT
Students should explore the educational opportunities available at Drake by arranging a campus visit. They can meet with an admission counselor, tour the campus, and discuss academic options with available faculty. Additional meetings can be scheduled with the visit coordinator when you call.

The Office of Admission is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and selected Saturdays in the fall and spring.

To schedule a visit, please call the Office of Admission at Drake’s toll-free number or schedule online. Please give 2 weeks notice in advance of the desired visit date.

Also, a number of visit programs for prospective students are held throughout the year. The dates and registration information are available here.