In the fall of 2016, the University of Georgia introduced a new requirement for all undergraduate students at UGA. It asks students to complete at least one academic course or activity that includes a hands-on experience, encouraging students to extend their learning beyond the classroom. By helping to prepare students for a profession or career, learn the craft of a fine artist, or by allowing them to discover how the discipline creates evidence to contribute to its body of knowledge, experiential learning enhances students’ chances for real-world success after graduation from the university. Students develop independent research skills in capstone courses or through research projects, increase their intercultural competence in study abroad and related international experiences, gain first-hand knowledge of different work environments in internships, and learn to appreciate and contribute to the social or educational work of others through service or community-based learning. The Franklin College offers a wealth of opportunities for satisfying the Experiential Learning requirement. These include twenty-two study abroad programs, a long list of individual courses in many different disciplines, and a range of other approved experiences. For up-to-date list of approved courses and experiences, please visit the UGA Office of Experiential Learning website, where you can begin searching for courses and experiences by selecting "Franklin College of Arts and Sciences" as your designated College. Students may also fulfill the requirement through any UGA-approved study abroad program. For an up-to-date list of UGA-approved study abroad programs, please visit the GoAbroad PORTAL. Until such courses are formally approved for EL credit, the Franklin College will also accept requests for the approval of 4000-level research courses not yet found on the current list linked above. For this purpose, please complete and submit the following 4000-LEVEL COURSE REQUEST form. In exceptional cases, when a student is unable to satisfy the requirement within the framework of existing offerings, the Franklin College will consider non-credit bearing activities as an exception to the list of already approved courses or activities satisfying the requirement. Requests for the approval of an experience have to be submitted several weeks prior to the beginning of the activity and require the mentorship of faculty member. If you would like to petition for an activity to count as an exception, please complete and submit the following PROPOSAL form. For any general questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Experiential Learning at ugael@uga.edu or 542-9891. For questions specific to the Franklin College you can contact Associate Dean Jamie Kreiner at jkreiner@uga.edu.
