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Experiential Learning Initiative

Academics

The Experiential Learning Initiative, or ELI, began as a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).  It continues as an ongoing opportunity for students to engage in enriching experiential courses and practical experiences.  ELI provides students enriched educational opportunities via internships, practicums, clinicals, field courses, travel courses and other real-world applications of classroom theory.  Commencing with the 2021 freshman class, all students are required to earn 2 experiential requirements (or ELRs). Charleston Southern has many options available to students right here on campus!

Studies have shown that benefits of experiential learning for students include higher job placement rates after graduation, better understanding of course material, and the development of professional skills for the postgraduate environment.

An Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR) corresponds to an internship, service-learning project, study away course, or applied learning course such as clinicals, practicums, courses in professional skills development, and so on. Commencing June 1, 2021, new students (0-59 hours) will be required to complete two ELRs will be required for first year and sophomore students admitted in the 2020-2021 academic year; transfer students with 60 or more hours transferred in will have to complete one ELR. One ELR must earn academic credit (minimum 1 academic credit hour). See the Undergraduate Catalog for more information. Students who entered under an earlier catalog must complete a minimum of one academic ELR. 

For the second experiential learning requirement, students may opt for a Service Learning Experience. This can be earned via non-credit bearing internships, service work, mission trips, and so on, so long as the student creates some form of document—paper, journal, video, presentation, etc—about learning from the experience. To receive the service learning credit, the student must:

  • Submit a proposal to her or his advisor;
  • If approved, the advisor signs the student up for the 0 credit GNED 303 (Service Experiential Learning) course to serve as a placeholder on the transcript and degree audit;
  • The student participates in his/her experience;
  • If the advisor is satisfied, the student is awarded a passing grade and has completed a Service Learning Experience. Again, note that is only in addition to an academic experience—the student MUST earn at least one academic credit bearing ELR to complete
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