Starting with the class of 2026, undergraduate students will be required to engage in at least one approved experiential learning activity, and enroll in one of the following approved EXLN courses — or other approved course — during their time at Puget Sound.
Experiential Learning Graduation Requirement Courses
Engage in the community through volunteer work or community-based projects.
In this course, you will receive support as you find and engage in community-based learning opportunities that interest you. As you engage in your work in the community during the semester, you’ll also connect with peers in similar opportunities as you reflect on your experiences, values, and the importance of community-based learning.
Course Logistics:
- EXLN 295 fulfills the Experiential Learning Graduation Requirement
- Involves 30+ hours of community-based learning
- Available in the fall, spring, and summer semesters
- Please contact Tiffany Williams for questions
Navigate your internship experience within a cohort model.
In this course students who have secured an internship will make connections between their academic learning, workplace experiences, and future goals. You will receive coaching and guidance from the instructor, reflect on your journey and growth, and learn alongside peers engaging in their own internships.
Course Logistics:
- EXLN 296 fulfills the Experiential Learning Graduation Requirement
- Involves 60+ hours of career related experiences in an off-campus setting
- Students must have secured an approved internship by the start of the semester
- Available for variable credit up to 1 academic unit
- Available in the fall, spring, and summer semesters
- Please contact Nicole Kendrick for questions
Get the most out of your experiences abroad while you connect with Loggers around the world.
During your study abroad experience, you will explore new cultures and perspectives, expand your education, and gain insights about yourself and the world. This course will allow you to share and reflect on those experiences with other students studying abroad.
Course Logistics:
- EXLN 297 fulfills the Experiential Learning Graduation Requirement
- Students must be admitted in an approved study abroad program in order to enroll in EXLN 297
- Puget Sound Faculty-led study abroad opportunities may involve a prerequisite course the semester before going abroad
- Available in the fall, spring, and summer semesters
- Please contact the Office of International Programs for questions
Take a deep dive into an area of interest through your summer research project.
This course establishes a cohort of research students leading independent projects and helping to shape the future of their field. You will examine your research journey in dialogue with peers, share project milestones with the campus research community, identify examples of individual growth and skill development, and use that experience as a stepping stone toward your future goals.
Course Logistics:
- EXLN 298 fulfills the Experiential Learning Graduation Requirement
- Involves 10 weeks of full-time research
- Students must have secured an approved summer research project by the start of the semester
- Available in the summer semester
- Please contact Elize Hellam for questions
Build on a completed experiential learning activity as you pursue your next goal.
In this course, you will reflect on your prior experience, development, and accomplishments to share narratives from your experiential learning journey with peers. You will engage in continued career preparation, professional development advice, and support as you prepare for your next internship, job, volunteer, or leadership experience.
Course Logistics:
- EXLN 301 fulfills the Experiential Learning Graduation Requirement
- Students must have already completed an approved experiential learning activity (e.g., internship, community based learning, independent research, or study abroad)
- Available in the fall and spring semesters
- Please contact Nicole Kendrick for questions
In addition to the EXLN courses mentioned above, the following approved departmental courses also meet the graduation requirement:
BIOL 472 – Animal Behavior
BUS 380 – Entrepreneurial Mindset for the Arts
BUS 482 – Strategic Management and Consulting
CLJ/REL 307 – Prisons, Gender and Education
CLJ 370 – Prison Archives and Public Memories: Researching the Incarceration of Women and Girls in Washington
COMM 292 – Intercollegiate Debate
EDUC 290 – Making Men: Schools and Masculinities
EDUC 292 – Literacy in Schools: An Introduction
EDUC 294 – Schools & Poverty
EDUC 295 – White Teachers Teaching Children of Color
EDUC 296 – Using Children's and Young Adult Literature to Teach for Social Justice
EDUC 298 – Using Primary Sources to Teach for Social Justice
EDUC 493 – Teacher Research Practicum
ENGL 397 – The Writing Internship
ENVR 200 – Introduction to the Environment
ENVR 210 – Fundamentals of US Environmental Law and Policy
ENVR/GEOL 315 – Energy Resources
ENVR 350 – Puget Sound Environmental Issues Part I: Politics and Public Participation
ENVR 351 – Puget Sound Environmental Issues Part II: Laws and Land Use Designations
ENVR 352 – Sustainability in Everyday Life
ENVR 357 – Environmental Challenge
GLAM 181 – Rome Through The Ages: January in Rome
HIST 379 - Tacoma Public History
IPE 331 – International Political Economy of Food and Agriculture
MUS 140 – Music Education in American Schools
MUS 355 – String Pedagogy
MUS 393 – Introduction to Secondary Music Education
MUS 394 – Introduction to Elementary Music Education
PHIL 497 – Public Philosophy
PHIL 499 – Ethics Bowl
PSYC 497 – Practicum in Psychology
SOAN 213 – City and Society
SOAN 299 – Ethnographic Methods
SPAN 319 – Documentary Film, Social Movements and Human Rights
THTR 313 – Directing
Experiential Learning Career Development Sequence
The Career Development Sequence offers an intentional pathway that connects the phases of career development. This pathway prepares students as they pursue experiential learning opportunities, including internships, undergraduate research, community-based learning, and study abroad. It supports students as they move strategically forward in the career planning and development process, and thoughtfully engage in experiential learning during their time at Puget Sound. The course sequence consists of the three parts outlined below.
EXLN 101 – CAREER AWARENESS
Explore your interests and career possibilities. In this class, you will be introduced to different strategies to explore career paths and working environments that align best with your values, interests, and personality. You will work to enhance your communication skills and increase your confidence while building connections, crafting a resume, and conducting informational interviews.
Course Logistics:
- Available in the fall and spring semesters
- Academic Credit: 0.25 units
- Please contact Maya Herran for questions.
EXLN 201 - EXPLORING YOUR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPTIONS
Gain support applying to career-related experiences through the lens of reflective learning. In this course, you will be introduced to tools and pedagogy that will support goal setting and preparation to take the next step along your career journey. You will reflect on your strengths, define your interests, and gain individualized support in finding an experiential learning opportunity that is right for you.
Course Logistics:
- Available in the spring semester
- Academic Credit: 0.25 units
- Please contact Nicole Kendrick for questions.
Engage in an experience and take the corresponding EXLN course from the list below:
- EXLN 295 – Community-Based Learning Experience
- EXLN 296 – Internship Experience
- EXLN 297 – Study Abroad/Off-Campus Study Experience
- EXLN 298 – Summer Research Experience
- EXLN 301 – Telling Your Experiential Learning Story
All of these courses meet the Experiential Learning Graduation Requirement. Please refer to their course descriptions above for more information.
EXLN 401 – CAREER LAUNCH
Take active steps toward networking and pursuing a position after college. In this class, you will reflect upon yourself, refine your career options, and take active steps toward a future career choice. Explore how to utilize skills, strengths, and interests in pursuing opportunities after graduating from Puget Sound. Develop a professional presence on paper, online, and in-person. Hone professional skills that include resume writing, building online profiles, networking, interviewing and salary negotiation.
Course Logistics:
- Available in the fall and spring semesters
- Academic Credit: 0.25 units
- Enrollment requirement: junior or senior standing
- Please contact Sara Winland for questions.