Experiential Learning

On this page:

Experiential Learning
Internships and Co-ops
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for International Students
Experiential Learning Resources
Success Stories

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is a crucial component of your college experience. It helps you build your skills and resume so you are prepared before you graduate to enter right into workforce. You'll also have an edge in the interviewing and hiring process with the experience you need to get the job. Experiential learning is about applying skills and knowledge learned in to the classroom to real-world situations and problems. Experiential learning experiences can include internships and co-ops, on-campus and off-campus employment, service-learning, volunteering, faculty-led research and projects, study abroad, and student organization involvement and leadership.

Internships and Co-ops

An internship or co-op will help you take knowledge and theory learned in the classroom and apply it in a professional setting. You will gain valuable experience and make connections in professional fields you are considering for possible future career paths. We have strong relationships with many local, regional, and national partners to help provide you with internship opportunities connected to your career goals and personal aspirations. Search for internships and co-ops in our career and job search powered by Handshake.

Internship and Co-op Resources

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for International Students

For CPT information, qualifications and process, please see the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) website through the University Center for International Education (UCIE). You will need an offer letter from the company for your CPT application.

Please note that the offer letter must:

Be printed on company's letterhead
Be addressed to the student
Include job title
Provide detailed job description (at least a few sentences describing specific duties, tasks, goals, etc.)
Specify the employer's address (including street, city, state and zip code)
Specify the exact number of hours of work per week
Have employer signature
Specify exact start and end dates of the CPT employment*

If an international student is continuing their employment into another semester and using their previous offer letter, please have your supervisor email your Career Consultant letting them know they are continuing your employment into the new semester. You will need to repeat the CPT process for every semester you are working. Multiple departments are involved in the approval of your CPT process, while UCIE is in charge of the process and gives the final approval. Please allow for a minimum of 7 days for approval.