Honors Admissions

Experiential Learning Requirements

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING REQUIREMENTS FOR Students Entering Summer/Fall 2022 or Later 

What is Experiential Learning?

Experiential Learning is an educational process that combines applied learning, or “learning by doing,” with meaningful reflection to assess skills and clarify values in preparation for further purposeful action.

Why is Experiential Learning a priority in the Judy Genshaft Honors College?

It is important for students to engage in individualized learning experiences that reflect complex, real-world challenges. Experiential Learning extends your academic experience beyond both the walls of a classroom and your major requirements and allows you to put your knowledge into practice, testing and refining ideas through diverse experiences such as internships, study abroad, or community action. In turn, practical lessons gained through Experiential Learning inform and enhance classroom learning.

What are the Experiential Learning requirements for Judy Genshaft Honors College students?

Students will complete a total of two activities, selected from two different categories:

  • Career/Professional Development & Leadership Experience​
  • Community Engagement & Service​
  • Creative & Artistic Experience​
  • Global Experience​
  • Research

How are students rewarded for completing the Honors requirements, including Experiential Learning requirements?

In addition to developing unique and useful skills, all Judy Genshaft Honors College students receive a total of $2,000 in scholarships as they complete each of the three requirements (two Experiential Learning activities and the Honors Academic Curriculum). This award is paid in three installments during the students' academic career:

  • $600 after completing the first Experiential Learning activity
  • $600 after completing the second Experiential Learning activity
  • $800 after completing the Honors Academic Curriculum (including Thesis or Capstone)

Overall Experiential Learning/Co-Curricular Outcomes  

  • By selecting and engaging in personally and professionally purposeful activities and meaningful causes, students will take ownership of their own learning.
  • Students will apply what they have learned in the classroom (theoretical knowledge) to a real-world context and explain how the activities helped them develop transferable competencies such as new skills, attitudes, or perspectives.
  • Through critical reflection, students will become more self-aware and articulate how their co-curricular experiences have influenced their academic, professional, and personal pursuits.

Career/Professional Development & Leadership Experience

  • The student will be able to apply their content knowledge and skills to their experience, and collaborate and communicate appropriately with stakeholders including their supervisor, colleagues, and clients.
  • The student will be able to describe and reflect on how they were consistently, actively engaged in the learning experience and how they were challenged to think in new ways to enhance their skills.
  • The student will be able to identify and explain the ways in which they can apply what they’ve learned during their experience, to their future professional endeavors.

Career/Professional Development & Leadership Exploration Activities:

  • 75+ hour internship (must enroll in JGHC or department internship course)
  • USF Peer Mentor/Leader Experience for 1 semester
  • JGHC Student Council Executive Board for 2+ semesters
  • USF Housing and Residence Education RA for 2+ semesters
  • Peer Leading in Chemistry or other TA position for 1+ semester(s)
  • 75+ hours of professional shadowing at the college level
  • Student Government for 2+ semesters
  • Working 8+ hours/week for 1+ semester(s) with supervisor collaboration and significant educational influence
  • Complete Career Readiness Badging Program through Career Services
  • An Honors-sponsored study away experience as designated by Faculty and course content

Community Engagement & Service

  • The student will be able to select a meaningful activity and explain how they made an impact.
  • The student will be able to recognize problems and gaps in resources, and envision solutions for the future while considering the welfare of others.
  • The student will be able to demonstrate, reflect on, and describe how they stepped out of their comfort zone to connect with diverse people, places, and issues. 

Community Engagement & Service Activities:

  • 75+ hours of service (self-initiated or Honors College-sponsored, e.g. Honors LLC Community Garden)
  • Participating in CLCE Alternative Break Program (Bulls Service Break)
  • Participating in Office of Leadership and Student Organizations’ Un-Bull-ievable Spring Break Program
  • Taking a 0-credit IDH 2930 courses designated as a “service learning course”
  • An Honors-sponsored study away experience as designated by Faculty and course content

Creative & Artistic Experience

  • The student will be able to explain why they selected their creative endeavor and reflect on how they were consistently and actively engaged in the creative experience.
  • The student will be able to create and articulate the plans to achieve their long-term project objectives and goal(s), adapting as necessary as the project progresses.
  • The student will learn how to self-critique, and process and apply constructive criticism, feedback, and direction throughout the project to improve the quality of one’s work.

Creative & Artistic Experience Activities:

  • Participate in a community-based music, dance, or theater ensemble for 2+ semesters or one community-based theater production
  • Create an original work of art and present it during a performance or gallery event (juried show) beyond major requirements
  • Participate in annual Off the Wall event with juried piece(s)
  • An Honors-sponsored study away experience as designated by JGHC faculty and course content
  • Participate in JGHC orchestra, choir, or jazz band for 2+ semesters
  • Participate in USF College of the Arts music, dance, or theater ensembles for 2+ semesters beyond major requirements

Global Experience

  • The student will reflect on their observations in various cultural and human contexts and describe how their perspective of the world--and their place in it--has shifted.
  • The student will apply their intercultural experiences to explain how their identity and culture interacts with others, including their own values, beliefs, and biases.
  • The student will demonstrate intercultural awareness by describing how they utilized multiple communication methods rooted in understanding, respecting, and appreciating differences.

Global Experience Activities:

  • Any JGHC international trip
  • Any Education Abroad trip
  • Completion of the USF Global Citizen Project Award
  • 75+ hour internship abroad
  • iBuddy Experience for 2+ semesters
  • 0 credit Global Experience course offered by JGHC
  • Operation: Global Action or other globally-themed Grand Challenge 

Research

  • The student will be able to create and articulate the plans to achieve their long-term project objectives and goal(s), adapting as the project progresses.
  • The student will be able to identify and explain how they were challenged to think in new ways and how they can apply new literacies and skills acquired during their experience.
  • The student will learn how to self-assess, and process and apply constructive criticism, feedback, and direction throughout the project to improve the quality of one’s work.

Research Activities:

  • 75+ hours of research documented with the Office of Undergraduate Research in addition to any research conducted for Honors Thesis
  • Completion of a formalized summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program
  • An Honors-sponsored study away experience as designated by Faculty and course content
  • Present at a state, national, or international research conference
  • 75+ hours of formal independent international research project (e.g. Genshaft-Greenbaum Global Explorer Award)