What is Work-Based Learning
Work-based learning: Work-based learning (WBL) is an educational approach that integrates academic instruction with practical work experience. It is designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world work settings and gain practical skills, knowledge, and experience that are directly relevant to their future careers. WBL can take various forms, including internships, apprenticeships, co-op programs, and other experiential learning opportunities. Work-based learning experiences can be paid or unpaid, with a preference for paid experiences. Exceptions will be made when external accrediting organizations require otherwise.
WBL experiences may be:
- Credit-bearing, non-credit, or zero-credit
- Paid or unpaid (with a preference for paid experiences unless restricted by accrediting bodies)
- Structured across a range of formats and durations
Types of Work-Based Learning Experiences
*Internship: Internships are a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and classroom theory with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. They are supervised and structured work experiences that are time-limited and ideally project-based with a tangible outcome. Through internships, students can explore career interests, build transferable skills, establish professional networks, and engage in personal reflection. Though not always tied directly to one's major or course of study, internships often complement or supplement academic pursuits, leadership experiences, or other study interests. Internships also allow employers to train and evaluate talent while building a pipeline of future professionals.
*Apprenticeship: Programs that train individuals in a specific trade or profession through classroom learning and hands-on work experience. They are common in skilled trades and also available in professional industries, typically lasting one to six years. These programs offer many benefits, including on-the-job training, payment from the start of work, and a direct connection to classroom knowledge. In addition, they provide a valuable pathway to gain skills and experience in a specific field, leading to increased job opportunities and earning potential. Registered apprenticeship programs are industry vetted and approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency. They allow employers to develop and prepare their future workforce while individuals gain practical work experience and education in a structured and supportive environment.
*Cooperative education (co-op): Cooperative education, or "co-op," is a structured approach to education that combines classroom-based learning with practical work experience. This program sometimes provides academic credit for a structured job experience and typically alternates a semester of academic coursework with a semester in a work placement with a sponsored organization. The co-op experience directly links to academic coursework the student completes and the practical application of knowledge in the workplace. Students receive paid or unpaid on-the-job training in approved business, industrial, and service firms as part of their program of study. Co-ops provide a flexible approach for employers to evaluate staffing needs.
*Field placement, practicum, or clinical experience: A course of study that involves the application of learned theories and concepts in a supervised practice-related environment. Reflection of work is present, and usually these experiences are linked to 19 professional programs. Typically, students receive credit (and may be paid or unpaid) and/or are evaluated for their placement experience. Placements/practica may include ongoing classroom instruction or act as culminating experiences. This WBL experience includes clinical placements. Field experiences may be directed or mediated by the instructor and include a range of time-intensive endeavors that require varying levels of student interaction. Student teaching is a practicum placement in elementary or secondary school.
*Research: Research experiences occur across a continuum, from classroom-based inquiry to advanced investigative research design and implementation. Undergraduate research is defined by the Council on Undergraduate Research as a mentored investigation or creative inquiry conducted by undergraduates that seeks to make a scholarly or artistic contribution to knowledge.
Service learning and civic engagement: Service learning is an intentional teaching strategy that engages students in organized service activities and guided reflection. The service activities benefit the community and, in combination with reflection and other classroom-based learning activities, enhance the academic curriculum of participating students. Students develop knowledge, skills, and values that are both personally enriching and beneficial to society. The connection to work-based learning should be evaluated to ensure that knowledge and skills to real-life work activities and future career opportunities are gained through such experiences.
Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship is the process by which individuals, or a group of individuals (entrepreneurs) identify an opportunity or problem to solve, then develop and implement solutions, either by bringing a new product, service, or process to the market, or by substantially improving an existing good, service, or method of production.
Social entrepreneurship: Social entrepreneurship uses a similar approach to entrepreneurship to address and solve societal, community, environmental, and/or cultural issues. Entrepreneurship focuses more on market opportunity and profit creation, while social entrepreneurship prioritizes social impact and public value, using entrepreneurial tools to sustain and scale mission-driven outcomes.
Project-based learning: Project-based learning is an instructional methodology that encourages students to learn and apply knowledge and skills through engaging experience. This experience presents opportunities for deeper learning in context and for the development of important skills tied to college and career readiness. Experiences may produce a deliverable output such as a report, grant proposal, project, presentation, art exhibit, recital, dramatic performance, or other relevant components. It may also include a class project with a sponsor or a company.
Micro-internship: Micro-internships are short-term paid projects that focus on a specific need. These opportunities help students develop new skills, explore careers, and build professional networks.
Public service: Public service is the application and provision of institutional resources, knowledge or services that directly benefit the community. Public service may entail the delivery of expertise, resources, and services to the community. This work is designed to help students understand and address the needs of the community through a real-world project.
Voluntarism and community service: Voluntarism and community service are performed by students for community benefit. This service can be but is not necessarily integrated with a particular program of study. This may include structured projects (days of service), smaller group projects, fundraising events, or individual volunteerism, which is acknowledged by the campus.
*Priority experiences are emphasized where applicable to degree programs.
