Florida Atlantic University
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Experiential Learning is a collaboration between academic and student affairs departments at FAU to provide integrated programs that benefit the University, faculty, students and community. This collaboration enables the academic and development needs of students, the instructional and research needs of faculty and the professional competencies expected by employers.
Through experiential learning you can:
- Explore professional areas of interest
- Develop intercultural skills
- Gain credits towards graduation
- Network with professionals
- Contribute to your community
At FAU we encourage you to enhance your learning by choosing experiential forms of education as part of your academic program. Follow the links below to learn more about your experiential learning options:
Below is a chart of FAU's various experiential learning programs:
Programs
Description
Participation Options
Pay / Credit
Other Benefits / Learning Outcomes
Academic Service Learning
Course work that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enhance learning outcomes, teach civic responsibility and help to meet the community-defined needs.
10 hours of academic service work required as a minimum.
Related to the course and academic concepts.
Available any semester that the course is offered.
May be integrated into study abroad course work.
Credit for the course.
Notation on transcript the number of hours upon graduation. Real world experiences that directly relate to personal goals.
Application of effective communication and collaboration in diverse groups and leadership positions.
Provides opportunities for engaged scholarship and research.
Cooperative Education
An education experience in which students integrate classroom study with a semester of supervised work (15 hours per week minimum) experience related to their academic major.
Offered on a semester basis full-time or part-time during the Fall, Spring or Summer.
Co-op assignments can be multiple semesters with one employer or different employers per semester.
Paid or unpaid. For academic credit or additive credit.
Gain practical experience in your chosen field.
Integration of classroom learning with practical work-related experiences.
Develop professional and interpersonal skills.
Provides opportunities for engaged scholarship and research.
Internships
Career related experiences that enhances students' marketability upon graduation.
Long-term working relationships where the student works at the position for which their degree applies.
Offered on a semester basis full-time or part-time during the Fall, Spring or Summer. Available any time that the course is offered.
Some internships are only offered during the Fall and Spring terms and other internships are only offered during the Summer term.
Can be international.
Stipends are available in some programs.
For credit to apply, students must meet eligibility guidelines as determined by the college.
Credit or non-credit, paid or unpaid.
Directly related to the professional goals of the student. Provides in-the-workplace training for students.
Gain career-related marketable experience and explore career interests.
Network and secure job opportunities upon graduation.
Provides opportunities for engaged scholarship and research.
Study Abroad
Academic study overseas at a FAU partner university, affiliated educational institution, private program provider or on short term programs led by FAU faculty.
Available for the Fall, Spring and Summer terms.
Some on-campus semester courses also offer a single week abroad as part of the course.
Non-degree students are allowed to study abroad on a space-available basis.
Academic credit.
Students gain interpersonal and global competencies (knowledge of other cultures, languages and international affairs) that strengthen their personal and professional capacities.
Provides opportunities for engaged scholarship and research.
Can include service learning as part of the study abroad program.
