Opportunities for Students

Experiential Learning at MTSU provides you with incredible opportunities for hands-on experience in your field of interest, valuable networking with business professionals, and exploring career paths.

Critical Thinking and Reflective Learning Module 

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Forms

• Student Request for EXL Certification [word] or [pdf]
• EXL Agreement for External Activity [word] or [pdf]
• Approval of MTSU Internal Activity for EXL Credit [word] or [pdf]
• Student EXL Grant Form [word] or [pdf]
• EXL Award Nomination Form [word] or [pdf]

EXL Classes and Faculty

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why should I get involved in EXL?
Experiential Learning will provide you with hands-on experience in and outside the classroom. As an EXL Scholar you will have an EXL designation on your diploma and will receive an EXL Scholars certificate. At some point, there may be financial assistance available for EXL Scholars. And EXL gives you the opportunity to give back something to the community and that experience will benefit you personally and professionally as well as help you gain acceptance for graduate study.

2. Will my participation in the EXL program require me to take more courses to graduate?
Students should be able to select EXL-designated courses from major requirements and general studies requirements to complete the 16-18 hours of EXL coursework. There is a one hour course requirement (EXL 4000) for assessment and completion of the E-portfolio.

3. What is an E-portfolio?
This is a Web site a student creates to show what he/she learned during the EXL Scholars Program experience.

4. What types of MTSU campus activities are required for the MTSU service component?
Specific criteria are being developed for this requirement. Some service projects completed by student organizations will likely count toward this service.

5. Do I have to have a certain grade point average to enter the program?
Students will need to be in good standing with the university to be in the EXL program.

6. Will I automatically be an EXL Scholar if I take an EXL designated course?
No. Students may take EXL courses and not be in the EXL program. Students must make application to be an EXL Scholar, complete assessment activities, including the E-portfolio, and complete an MTSU service component to receive the designation as an EXL scholar.

7. Do I have to participate in co-op or study abroad to earn the EXL designation?
These programs are good opportunities for completing the external activity and practical experience activity, but these activities are not required. Completing an internship or service-learning project are other ways to complete the external activity that is required for the EXL program.

8. What is service learning?
Students may work with a non-profit organization on some project to benefit the community.

9. Will there be EXL designated classes?
Yes. If a one-hour course is developed for completing the e-portfolio, this will be EXL 4000. Additionally, some courses such as internship courses or study-abroad courses may be cross-listed as EXL.

10. Can I take more than 16-18 hours of EXL courses?
Yes, students may take as many EXL courses as they like.

Other benefits:

• Sample a career field
• Hone skills and apply theories
• Broaden career horizons
• Network in the field
• Acquire college credits
• Gain professional work experience
• Increase self-confidence
• Enhance resume
• Prepare for graduate school
• Possibly get a job offer!