Experiential learning projects are an ideal way to fulfill University Honors requirements. The fundamental idea behind experiential learning is the individual student’s engagement in an activity or program that has been designed to initiate the process of inquiry and understanding. 

The UHP has compiled examples of established experiential learning programs through which you can meet UHP requirements and to also help you in brainstorming ideas for self-designed projects. Browse the list of established programs.

If you don't see one listed that fits your interests, design your own project. In fact, most honors experiential learning projects are self-designed.

Are you participating in an unpaid research or internship experience? Submit a proposal for that to count as an honors experiential learning project and apply for a grant to support your work at the same time.

Regardless of whether you participate in an established experiential learning program or design your own, your work will be held to high standards.

Thematic Areas
Self-designed experiential learning projects must relate to one of the UHP thematic areas and integrate the learning objectives of that particular area. The thematic areas and associated learning objectives are listed below.

Community Engagement

• Possesses awareness of purpose of service, including need for reciprocity, understanding of social issues, and ability to see those issues from multiple perspectives.
• Recognizes how public policies and practices, and power and privilege, have an influence on social issues. Explores ways to alter public policy and/or identify solutions.
• Relates, communicates, and works effectively with others towards sustainable social change.
• Participates in community and understands own role as citizen of community.

Global Studies

• Possess global literacy, including knowledge of geography, history, current world issues and similarities and differences among cultures
• Recognize the interdependence of world economies, political systems and the environment
• Interact with individuals from different cultures and express a sensitivity, appreciation and respect for the complex range of experiences of diverse peoples
• Participate in a global society and understand the role of  a global citizen

Leadership

• Possesses knowledge of various leadership theories and identifies with the characteristics of leadership
• Ability to exert influence and motivation and enable self and others to meet desired objectives
• Ability to relate, communicate and work effectively with peers
• Develops a vision of the future and acknowledges the impact of decisions (as applicable to the individual and affiliated organizations)

Research

• Ability to frame and develop the research project question or problem.
• Possess a well-developed awareness of literature in the field.
• Formulate a theory, problem, or hypothesis for the proposed research project that is based on the literature review.
• Ability to identify and apply appropriate methodologies to design research study, and collect and analyze data.
• Disseminate the research results and knowledge gained.
• Demonstrate awareness of key weakness/limitations of the research and provide guidance on the most important and fruitful directions for future research on this topic.
• Ability to think beyond the just completed research and articulate how your world view has been impacted by the experience.

Creative Arts

• Acquires or further develops competencies within a particular creative domain.
• Possesses ability to define the creative problem; ability to frame and develop a problem statement and appropriate methodology.
• Possess a well-developed awareness of theories and methods in the field.
• Demonstrates/takes appropriate risk in successfully completing project (i.e. going beyond original parameters of assignment, introducing new materials and forms, tackling controversial topics, advocating unpopular ideas or solutions, etc.).
• Possesses ability to embrace contradictions and integrate alternate, divergent, or contradictory perspectives.
• Possesses ability to think innovatively.
• Connects, synthesizes, and transforms ideas.

Questions?
Contact an honors advisor to learn more or discuss a project idea. The UHP advisors are here to help you navigate your honors experiences!

Browse the list of established experiential learning projects to get ideas and see examples of projects that you could pursue.

Learn the process for designing your own experiential learning projects. The world is open to you!

Are you engaging in an unpaid research or internship experience? Apply for an honors grant to support your work!

UHP Requirements
Students who entered the University Honors Program in or after fall quarter 2007 can complete 1-6 experiences through Honors experiential learning projects. As a general guideline, one experiential learning project is generally equivalent to the work of a 3 credit hour Honors seminar or course. Students are required to document each project in their e-portfolio using the e-portfolio documentation guide. View UHP graduation requirements.

Students who entered the University Honors Program in or prior to summer quarter 2007 may earn anywhere from 1–12 hours of Honors credit through experiential learning. As a general guideline, 3 hours of Honors experiential learning credit is generally equivalent to the work of a 3 credit hour Honors seminar or course.