Frequently Asked Questions About Experiential Learning
Are research or other academic assignments part of experiential learning?
Are experiential learning opportunities expensive?
Are research or other academic assignments part of experiential learning?
It depends. If you want to earn academic credit (in other words, to fulfill your required 12 credit hours for an integrative studies degree), there has to be an academic component to your EL activity. Experiences such as Center for Field Study courses, internships, and some NCC learning communities provide ways to fulfill credits toward this requirement.
Are experiential learning opportunities expensive?
This depends on a few factors such as location of the EL opportunity and whether or not the student is paying tuition. But the good news is many EL opportunities are quite affordable. For example: internships done near a student’s home generally don’t cost a lot, nor does volunteering to be a camp counselor at one of NCC Horizon Camps. CLCE tries its best to keep its Alternative Spring Break trips right around $200 for the week and CFS offers many locally-based classes (such in the Shenandoah Valley) for which transportation costs are not high. In short, there are lots of ways students can, quite affordably, fulfill their 12-credit EL requirement and still in a meaningful way.
As a NCC student I have to earn 12 credits of Experiential Learning for my Integrative Studies degree. How can I do that?
There are many ways to fulfill the experiential learning requirement. New Century College academic advisors can help you to determine the most appropriate opportunity for your interests and concentration. Options include internships, study abroad, service-learning, field studies and independent study.
I am a faculty member and would like to incorporate experiential learning into my course. What should I do?
If you are interested in adding a service learning or leadership component, you should contact the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement. If you want to add a field studies component, contact the Center for Field Studies. Both Centers can provide the information and support needed to add experiential learning to your course.
