Experiential Learning at KU | Enhance Your Academic Journey
Experiential Learning
Learn by Doing at KU
Enhance your academic journey with hands-on learning that reaches far beyond the classroom.
At KU, we help you turn what you learn into what you do — through study abroad in 70+ countries, faculty-mentored undergraduate research, internships, service learning, and experiential learning certificates that appear on your official transcript. Every path builds the real-world skills employers and graduate programs look for.
Three Ways to Start
Explore KU's signature experiential learning pathways — each backed by a dedicated office ready to help you begin.
See the world
Study Abroad
More than 1 in 4 undergraduates open themselves to new perspectives in the 165+ KU study abroad programs offered through our global partnerships — across 70+ countries, with study, internship, service, and research options for every major.
Make discoveries
Undergraduate Research
Groundbreaking discoveries happen at the University of Kansas. KU's Center for Undergraduate Research can help you join work in progress or begin new projects with faculty mentorship and financial assistance — including $1,000 Undergraduate Research Awards each semester.
Prove it on paper
Learning Certificates
Through experiential learning certificates, we help you turn classroom knowledge into hands-on experience — and every completed certificate is noted on your official KU transcript, giving future employers and graduate schools proof of what you can do.
Certificate Areas to Explore
Each experiential learning certificate pairs coursework with real, approved experiences — typically at least six credit hours — and appears on your KU transcript. Choose the focus that fits your goals:
Why it matters
Hands-on experience pays off after graduation. National research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that graduates who took part in internships and other experiential learning report higher early-career satisfaction and higher average salaries than peers who did not — and roughly four in five graduating seniors now complete some form of experiential learning before they finish their degree.
Source: NACE, Early Career Talent Survey and Student Survey.
Experiential Learning, Answered
Quick answers for future Jayhawks planning how they'll learn by doing.
Experiential learning is hands-on learning beyond the classroom — study abroad, faculty-mentored undergraduate research, internships, service learning, and experiential learning certificates. You apply what you learn to real projects and can earn recognition that appears on your official KU transcript.
Yes. KU offers 165+ study abroad programs in 70+ countries across academic-year, semester, summer, winter break, and spring break terms, so many Jayhawks go abroad more than once. Explore study abroad.
Yes. Completed experiential learning certificates are noted on your official KU transcript. Some also fulfill KU Core goals — for example, the Research Experience certificate fulfills KU Core Goal 6 and Service Learning fulfills Goal 5. See certificate details.
Connect with a faculty mentor and the Center for Undergraduate Research. Undergraduate Research Awards provide $1,000 each semester for faculty-mentored research and creative projects, and 150+ mentors sponsor undergraduate work across every discipline. Get started with research.
Ready to Start Doing?
Talk with the people who can help you build your KU experience from day one.