You may have heard the term “Experiential Learning” as you explore or are attending a university or college. Simply defined, Experiential Learning is learning through doing and through reflection on that doing. It can also be thought of as “hands-on” learning as opposed to traditional classroom learning. For college students, having an experiential learning opportunity is critical for success in a career. Below we outline these opportunities at PennWest.
Internship
Internships are relevant work experiences performed under an experienced professional’s guidance and a faculty member’s supervision. Internships are for credit and can be paid or unpaid.
Internship, Non-Credit
Relevant work experiences aligned with a student’s major or career goals, optionally noted on transcripts with zero credit. Experiences can be paid or unpaid.
Field Experience
Fieldwork experiences allow students to explore and apply content learned in the classroom in a specified experience away from the classroom, designed to prepare students for professional development.
Practicum/Clinical
Practicums and clinicals are for credit courses that are essential parts of academic programs, aiming to develop professional skills and meet program accreditation standards.
Student Teaching
A capstone experience that engages students in a semester-long experience in the classroom(s) with increasing levels of teaching responsibility.
Service Learning
A structured educational experience where students participate in activities to address community needs, reflect on their service, and foster a sense of civic responsibility.
RISE Work Study
An on-campus work experience that prepares students for the workplace by teaching transferrable skills and fostering reflection on their learning.
Study Abroad
Faculty-directed programs that allow students to study abroad with a group of PennWest students. These are short-term programs that occur during breaks such as summer or spring break.
