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Inspiring Learning describes learning that leads to inspiration or revelation or inspiration that leads to learning. This can happen in and outside of the classroom. Inspiring learning is enhanced by the quality of relationship developed between a student and mentor.

Experiential Learning at BYU is characterized by four foundational principles which elevate good or great experience to inspired, experiential learning: Intention, Integration, Reflection, and Inspiration.


The following documents are valuable resources in understanding and creating inspiring, experiential learning.

Inspiring Learning by Kevin J. Worthen

BYU Experiential Learning Framework

Practical Guide to Experiential Learning

The following documents outline practical approaches and methods which invite inspiration to a learning opportunity. While each are written for distinct audiences, both articles include principles that can be applied more broadly.

On Gospel Methodology at BYU by Richard D. Osguthorpe, Justin Collings

Find Gospel Ways to Help by Steve Hafen

Experiential Learning Dashboard

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Experiential Learning Types

At BYU, experiential learning is divided into 6 experience types. Explore the list below to review the definitions and subcategories of each type.

  • Culminating Learning Experience


    A Culminating Learning Experience is an umbrella term for most project/event-based learning experiences. Culminating Learning Experiences include but are not limited to these categories: Capstone, Project-based learning (SIPs or experiential projects through the Marriot school), competitions, conferences, symposiums, workshops, festivals, recitals, portfolios, and senior theses.

    Capstone/Project-based learning 

    When we use the word project, it can be applied to a wide variety of experiential learning opportunities here at BYU. Projects are hands on learning experiences. Most prominently, we are referencing our Capstone Projects. These programs are educational experiences for senior students that integrate classroom activity with supervised practical experience in instructional, community, or more formal research settings. A Capstone Project is something put on by many different majors that you often complete in your senior year.

    Oftentimes a capstone class is listed as one of the last requirements to complete your major. The easiest way to find if your major involves a capstone project is to look at the course requirements here.

    While capstones compose the largest amount of what we would define as ‘projects’, there are a few other opportunities to check out as well. If you’re hoping to work on special projects before your senior year, check your department page for opportunities.

    Social Impact Projects - SIP is a class and an on-campus internship where BYU students work locally (or remotely) with one of our incredible partners –social-impact-minded organizations that want to use their company or nonprofit to do good in the world, but that need help. Click here to learn more.

    Experiential Classes - Classes are offered throughout campus that help provide on campus opportunities undergraduates. Search 'experiential' on the course catalog to find opportunities.

    Competition (competing) 

    BYU Hosts several on-campus competitions pertaining to different majors and fields. Your college should have these events posted on their website or announce them through their email updates.

    Conferences/Symposium/Workshop (presenting)

    A conference or symposium is a formal gathering of scholars including students and professors. They often focus on one specific field and include research presentations. Often times, a guest speaker is invited to speak on a current issue or new data. Talk to your department about opportunities to attend conferences.   

    Festival (performing)

    Some students (typically in film, music, dance, and media) have the opportunity to participate in local festivals to perform or learn from other artists. These festivals allow students to network, create, and collaborate with people from different schools/organizations while providing an opportunity to showcase a student’s work.

    Portfolio

    Portfolios are a culmination of work throughout an entire semester or year. These are often required for those in the Fine Arts/Communications Majors, as well as some business majors. Portfolios demonstrate your creative thinking & thought process while displaying projects and pieces that are often required by core classes.

    Performance

    Some majors require a final show, performance, or recital as a requirement for graduation (namely in the fine arts department). These performances showcase what you have learned at BYU.

    Senior Project/Thesis

    In your thesis, you will craft and define a problem (often with help from your advisor). You will have to find and explain the context for that problem, including a clear summary of the related works of others. You must justify why your research problem is worth pursuing. Once completed, you will have the opportunity to develop a clear written description of your work and a coherent and concise argument for its conclusions. This is a written assignment and is often accompanied by an oral presentation.

  • Field studies & field work are typically opportunities where a research team or company mentor students to become more familiar in their field. Most field studies are clinical/scientific in nature, but it can include a variety of other fields. Often times field studies gather new data alongside BYU faculty.

  • An internship is an opportunity provided by an organization to give career related experience to students related to their major. A student may or may not be compensated financially for this experience. Students who participate in internships have the opportunity to explore what their career may look like. The mission of an internship is to support the integration of theory and practice, explore careers, and provide personal and professional development.

    Students are responsible for finding and pursing their own internships. However, BYU has resources available to provide students with internship opportunities.

    • Handshake, BYU’s own job board, offers listing for recruiters hiring BYU students for internships. Click here to learn more.

    • Students may also consider browsing online job boards including Linkedin, Indeed, or Glassdoor.

    • Talking to professors, peers, and mentors in any given field can also provide students with networking opportunities. Search for any listed internship opportunities listed on your department’s website or in their email newsletters. You may also consider talking to your academic advisor to see what other options are available.

    Grants and scholarships are also available for unpaid internships. Students may contact their department to learn how to apply for these opportunities.

    The first step is to contact your internship coordinator. Let them know that you are interested in doing an internship, as well as if you have found an opportunity yet or need some further assistance. Your internship coordinator can answer any questions you may have and may have additional resources to help you find an internship.

    Once you find an internship, you will submit an application & your internship coordinator will approve it. Click here and select “Internship Application” in the center row. Filling out the application usually take about 10 minutes. After you submit your internship application, the Experiential Learning & Internships office will approve it and you will be able to receive credit for your internship.

    On-campus

    When participating in an on-campus internship, you may gain real-world experience while receiving academic credit on-campus. Some on-campus internship opportunities are available through the business school. Others are often posted on the college’s web-page or through professors. Opportunities include business projects, financial services projects, and social impact projects. If you are interested in an on-campus internship and your college doesn’t directly provide one, visit the Ballard Center for possible on-campus internships.

    International Internship

    You may participate in internships internationally! Click here for additional instructions and more information about the procedure/requirements.

    The Kennedy Center also offers International Study Programs (ISP). These programs are designed to meet the needs of departments and students including study abroad, field studies, internship programs, and individual internships. Click here for more information on International Study Programs.

    Clinical 

     Clinicals are a series of supervised interactions with patients in local healthcare facilities. Students gain hands-on experience assessing patients while being guided and supported by their instructor. Students will see firsthand how medical professionals function as a team. If a clinical course is required for graduation, students should talk to their course instructor for more information, or visit their college’s main webpage for more information.

    Practicum 

    A relative of the internship, this form of experiential learning usually is a course or student exercise involving practical experience in a work setting (whether paid or unpaid) as well as theoretical study, including supervised experience as part of professional pre-service education. This could be something like coursework for the major or observing in the field. Practicum experiences are generally required in teaching/professional social science disciplines. Opportunities for practicums are only available for upper classmen in specific majors. To get started, students should enroll in a practicum course and/or speak with their academic advisor.

    Student Teaching

    Student teaching provides practical “real life” opportunities that are the same as teaching. Students will develop skills and adopt the values that shape their teaching. Student teaching is for students pursing a degree in education. Typically, students are required to have been accepted to the major and have completed upper division coursework. They are required to complete student teaching before graduating. Students should talk to their academic advisor because majors have differing requirements.

  • Clubs, service opportunities, and on-campus leadership workshops/activities are all in-person experiences that help students become a part of something greater. These experiences include collaboration with other students, helping those in need, and leading groups and communities in order to help students (participants and the student body as a whole) learn though service.

  • Several professors offer on/off-campus research opportunities. These faculty typically look for students within major-related classes, posts on their college’s page, or even listings under BYU jobs. You can also create your own research project that would likewise be directed by faculty member on a topic of mutual interest. Students will identify and examine a substantive academic research problem & report their findings.

  • A study abroad is guided by a BYU professor in the field and offers lectures, study, and research on-site. Field trips to important locations of cultural and historical significance support the program's academic aims and bring to life theory and principles gained in the classroom. These trips are usually a semester long, filled with new adventures and experiences. Visit the Kennedy Center to explore these opportunities.