Experiential Learning

 

Jacksonville University’s Experiential Learning (EL) requirement challenges students with the opportunity of a lifetime—for on-site, real-world, hands-on learning that will set them apart from other graduates across the nation when starting a career or pursuing graduate school.

It’s important to us that students do more than simply earn a degree. We want them to ignite a lifelong passion. For this reason, all traditional students complete one ​Experiential Learning (EL) option from four defined areas:

Internship | Service | Study Abroad and Away | ​Research

Students customize their EL experience, choosing the company, location, or service project they feel will best prepare them for future success.

What would you choose?

At JU, we never say ‘see ya later’ or ‘good luck’ to our graduates. Instead, our high-touch, individualized programs ensure that every student is life ready, work ready, and world ready. Once a JU Dolphin, always a JU Dolphin. We know that our recent graduates and alumni are a tremendous part of the University’s ongoing success, and that they’ll soon return to invest in the futures of another generation of smart, creative, fearless individuals at JU.

Here are examples of how our students have put their EL requirement to work…

Internships

Students in professional attire.

“I learned that there is more to a job than just the job title. You actually learn what people do and what they do for the community. It was really exciting to know what happens in the background.”

Antwon Clayton, Sociology Major, Management & Criminal Justice Minors, Men’s Basketball
Learn more about Internships

Service

Students serving during Charter Day of Service.

“Service learning was a great way for me to give back as a student and made me realize the importance of community engagement as a future leader.”

Cameron Kirkland, Sociology Major & Art History Minor
Learn more about Service

Study Abroad and Away

Students posing for a selfie while studying abroad in Iceland.

“Through Education Abroad JU students gain a deeper understanding of other cultures and societies.”

Ginny Garzon, Director of Education Abroad
Learn more about Study Abroad and Away

Research

A student completing research underwater.

“For the last two semesters I worked on an interdisciplinary project called the Sampling Fish… It was important to communicate thoroughly in order to work as a team and accomplish our tasks.”

Madison Shelly, Electrical Engineering & Sustainability Majors

“There is a lot of freedom in undergraduate research. The project gave me opportunity to hone in on a subject that interests me and was relevant to my career goals.”

Cameron Kirkland, Sociology Major & Art History Minor
Learn more about Research