Experiential Learning at Mount Aloysius College is a method of instruction in which students learn the content of the curriculum while actively participating in and reflecting on experiences that benefit both the community and the students.
Tied into the College’s Mercy values and history of community engagement, Experiential Learning develops the “whole” student and creates global citizens.
Mount Aloysius College continues to develop its program through a committee, monies available for projects, and/or an Annual Experiential Learning Expo.
2020-2021 Experiential Learning Committee Members
Community-Based Learning
Community-based learning bridges academic learning and real-world civic engagement focused on community need. This engagement can include anything that makes an impact beyond the course itself, including: direct service-learning, indirect service-learning, research-based service-learning, and advocacy service-learning.
Previous Community-Based Learning Projects
Sample Experiential Learning Projects
Practicums
The intended goals of student participation in practicums include: gaining further knowledge about the field of study, acquiring new skills for career development, developing critical reflection and analysis skills, and developing an understanding of the challenges facing small businesses. Students may participate in one of three types of practicum:
Community Practicums are focused on reflection to increase knowledge, develop skills, clarify values, and develop the capacity to communicate in a community. These practicums are major-specific or interdisciplinary and can count for up to three credits.
Integrated Practicums offer practical field experience that allows students to develop their skills within their major. These include time in the classroom learning material and on-site or virtual hours working on a project with a community organization.
Work-Based Learning
Work-based learning is intended to give students the opportunity to gain experience in their field while still learning in the classroom. The various forms of work-based learning provided at the Mount include traditional internships, professional development training, job shadowing, and mentorships.
Internships
Certain programs at Mount Aloysius require a student to complete an internship before graduation. These opportunities help students blend the knowledge they learn in the classroom with real-world experience. Typically, students complete 135 hours of internship work within one semester. The goal of the internship program is for students to gain insight into a possible career path while learning about the industry. Micro-internships are short-term, project-based opportunities that last between five and 40 hours. They could be a part of a course or a standalone opportunity.
Mountie Julianna Wright, ’20, learned just how important internships and work-based learning can be when she interned with JWF Industries in Johnstown, PA.
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