Guided Undergraduate Studies (GUST)

UNE’s Guided Undergraduate STudies (GUST) program is designed for students who are not yet ready to declare a major. GUST is not probationary, conditional, or remedial, rather a pre-major program for students to slow down the process and experience university courses and opportunities before deciding on a major in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Westbrook College of Health Professions, and/or the College of Business. Through working with a dedicated professional Academic and Career Advisor and faculty mentor, students take courses in disciplinary areas of interest and across the Nor’easter Core Curriculum to explore diverse fields, assisting with the decision-making process while staying on track for graduation. The GUST First Year Seminar affords scaffolded major and career exploration along with essential academic skills and cohort building to make connections across the program and university that support the students’ transition from a new college student to a successful major in their chosen field of study. 

GUST students work with their professional Academic and Career Advisor and faculty mentor to choose courses that meet the requirements of the Nor’easter Core Curriculum and/or academic programs of interest prior to declaring a major. After major declaration, students follow the degree requirements of their new major. 

Students must declare their major by March 15 of their second year. Students intending to major in marine biology, medical biology, and elementary education are encouraged to declare their majors by the end of their first year. More details can be found in the Undergraduate Academic Policy and Regulations.