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Applied Learning Graduation Requirement

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Applied Learning Workgroup Recommendation

  • The survey we all filled out last year tells us most of our students are already doing applied learning
  • Faculty and students are doing great, cool things - we want to highlight it!

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Applied Learning Workgroup Recommendation - Why?

  • We want to be able to say - to the community, to families, to potential students - that all our students do applied learning
  • Employers are sharing that they value this
  • And it makes students more competitive for job opportunities

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What are we doing already?

  • We’re starting to put together a web presence showcasing our amazing applied learning activities
  • Should be ready by spring
  • We’re going to support faculty work and help give faculty and community partners ideas for how we can work together

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What’s applied learning?

  • Internships
  • Practicums
  • Clinical Experiences
  • Co-ops �(Cooperative Education)
  • Student Employment
  • Leadership through �EWU Organizations
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Field Work
  • Apprenticeship
  • Fellowships
  • Study Abroad
  • Volunteerism
  • Community-Based Projects
  • Service-learning experiences
  • Classroom-Based Applied Learning/Simulation
  • Applied Laboratory Work
  • Performance/Exhibits

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Proposed Graduation Requirement

  • The proposed Applied Learning Requirement would require all students to complete at least three credits (or two semester credits) of experiential education, or an approved co-curricular equivalent

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Implementation Plan

  • Departments will designate existing courses that meet the requirement
  • Most students will meet the requirement within their major
  • Those who don’t can complete it elsewhere - through general education, co-curricular activities, study abroad, etc.
  • Co-curricular activity will be documented through approved verification processes

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Why do this?

  • Students tell us they need and want practical experiences
  • Community partners, employers, and alumni consistently say students need practical experience before graduation
  • We’ve committed to applied learning in our programs, in our strategic plan, and in our branding

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Why do this - part two

  • Formalizing applied learning as a graduation requirement
    • enhances career-readiness
    • strengthens community partnerships and
    • provides equitable access to experiential education for all students
  • This will help our students find jobs and be more employable after graduation

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