Experiential Learning at Wellesley

Experiential Learning at Wellesley

At Wellesley College, students develop the skills and aptitudes to thrive and translate the liberal arts to the professional world, no matter what occupation or career they choose. The faculty work in partnership with Career Education to offer hundreds of unique experiential opportunities that connect classroom learning and professional aspirations to ensure all students engage in the transformative integrative learning that leads to meaningful post-graduate lives and careers. 

Experiential Learning Browser

The Experiential Learning Requirement

Effective for students entering in fall of 2024 and beyond, each candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts shall complete two units of experiential learning prior to the start of the seventh semester (or the equivalent semester for a transfer student). Two units will typically be completed in one summer-long or two fall- or spring-long experiences. These units can be fulfilled through internships, research, study abroad, civic engagement, select courses and student employment positions, and more. Although only two units are required, students should complete and record as many units of experiential learning as desired to achieve their career and educational goals. Students can meet with their Advisor for Career Exploration (ACE) for support with the ELR by making an appointment in Handshake.

*The two experiential learning units are in addition to the 32 academic units required for the Wellesley degree. 

 

Opportunities

Hundreds of experiential learning opportunities are available to you as a Wellesley College student. Beyond our campus, self-identified opportunities (such as internships and research roles) may also fulfill the requirement.

Two units will typically be completed in one summer-long or two fall- or spring-long experiences and are defined by the hour expectations below:  

  • 1 experiential learning unit: 50–150 hours 
  • 2 experiential learning units: 151–300+ hours 

Students can search the College’s experiential learning browser for opportunities to fulfill this requirement. The main categories to fufill the requirement are listed below.

 

Internships & Research
Internships & research opportunities can confirm a professional interest, open a new door, or lead you in an unexpected direction. They can help you build confidence and understand yourself and your role in the world — academically, professionally, and personally. The College offers over 300 funded opportunities for internship & research each year, and self-identified positions may also be eligible.

Eligible Experiences
  • Wellesley-Funded Summer Internships (2 units), includes:
    • Career Education & Departmental Placements
    • Internships funded by Career Education Grants
    • Luce Asia Internship Program
    • Davis Museum Internship Program
    • Botanic Gardens Internship Program
    • Lumpkin Nonprofit Internship Program
    • Wellesley in Washington Summer Internship Program
  • Albright Fellow Program (2 units)
  • Short Internship Project (SHIPS program) (1 unit)
  • Science Center Research Program (2 units)
  • Science Center Sophomore Early Research Program (2 units)
  • Science Center First-Year Apprentice Program (1 unit)
  • Wintersession Biochemistry Research Week (1 unit) 
  • Social Science Summer Research Program (2 unit)
  • Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (2 unit)
  • Self-Identified Internship or Research Position (1 unit, 50–150 hours)

Fellowships 
Funding is available through Fellowships to support some experiential learning opportunities, including senior thesis work, select independent projects, and research.

Eligible Experiences
  • Pamela Daniels Fellowship (1 unit per semester funded)
  • Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (2 units)
  • Projects for Peace Fellowship (2 units) 
  • Knapp Fellows Program in Social Sciences (1 unit per semester)

Student Employment
On-campus student employment, managed by Wellesley Human Resources, is an opportunity to develop career readiness and grow professionally. Student jobs are eligible to receive Experiential Learning Unit only in cases where students can articulate how the experience (1) informed their career goals, (2) helped them to build new skills, and (3) supported them in developing an understanding of their strengths/values.

More

Students can search for student employment opportunities in Workday. Approved part-time employment during the academic year (50–150 hours) is eligible for 1 unit per semester. Approved full-time summer employment (151–300+ hours) is eligible for 2 units.

Service and Civic Engagement
The Civic Engagement program at Wellesley explores the role of social justice, community engagement, and leadership across all majors and career fields. During the fall and spring semesters, we offer a wide range of opportunities for sustained, collaborative, reflective, and meaningful ways to engage that enrich and support a liberal arts education while partnering with fellow students, communities, and organizations.

Eligible Experiences
  • Service Part-Time 50–150 Hours (1 unit per semester)
  • Service Full-Time 151–300 Hours (2 units per full-time summer experience)
  • Service Journey Spring Break Trips (1 unit, participation or peer leader)
  • Ministrare Peer Leader (2 units)
  • Clinton Fellow Program (2 units)
  • Civic Action Lab Team Leader (1 unit)

Study Abroad

More
  • Study Away Short-Term, 50–150 Hours (1 unit)
  • Study Away Long-Term, 151–300+ Hours (2 units)
  • Mayling Soong Scholarship (2 units)
  • Wellesley Middle Eastern Studies Summer Language Study (2 units)

Select Courses

More
  • Experiential Coursework, 50–150 Hours (1 unit per semester)

Other Career Development Programs

More
  • Career Education Upskill Program (1 unit)
  • Pre-Med Scholars Cohort (1 unit)

Experiential Learning Advising

If you are seeking support in identifying opportunities, or want to discuss experiential learning possibilities, we encourage you to make an appointment in Handshake to meet with your Advisor for Career Exploration (ACE). Marisa Crowley ‘05 is the ACE for the class years of 2026 and 2028. Ariane Baker is the ACE for the class years of 2025 and 2027.

Marisa Crowley
Marisa Crowley ’05
Susan L. Wagner ’82 Associate Director/Advisor for Career Exploration (Classes of 2026 & 2028)
ariane
Ariane Baker
Susan L. Wagner ’82 Associate Director/Advisor for Career Exploration (Classes of 2025 & 2027)

Process for Experience Submission and Unit Recording on Transcript

Experiential learning units are recorded by semester on a section of the transcript separate from academic course units titled “Experiential Learning”. Students do not pre-register for their units. Submission for recording only happens once the unit(s) have been completed. 

Students must complete and submit the Experiential Learning Submission Form (available beginning in December 2024) within 6 weeks of the experience end date to facilitate accurate processing. If outside of this window, please email ELR@wellesley.edu prior to submission. This form requires the signature of a faculty member, employer, or program supervisor. 

For year-long, part-time experiences (such as student employment or research assistant roles), each part-time semester of work is eligible for one experiential learning unit. Participants who participate in these experiences for two consecutive semesters need only submit the ELR form once, at the end of their experience. One unit will be recorded for each semester on the transcript for a total of two units. 

Form link and specific details/instructions for form processing will be made available to students starting in December 2024. Any questions should be emailed to ELR@wellesley.edu. 

FAQs

Who is required to complete the ELR?

Students entering in Fall 2024 and beyond are required to complete two experiential learning units prior to the start of the seventh semester in order to graduate. Students entering prior to Fall 2024 may submit the form to have their experiential learning reflected on their transcript, but are not required to do so.

How many units are required prior to graduation?

Two experiential learning units need to be completed prior to the seventh semester. All students entering the College in fall 2024 or later fall within this new degree requirement. Students beginning their studies prior to fall 2024, are not required to complete 2 units but are able to record these experiences on their transcript if they desire to do so. 

Experiential Learning Units are defined as below: 

  • 2 units: 151 - 300+ hours of experiential learning
  • 1 unit: 50 - 150 hours of experiential learning

The two-unit ELR requirement will typically be completed in one summer-long or two fall- or spring-long experiences. 

When do I need to complete this requirement by?

Students entering in fall 2024 and beyond must complete the requirement prior to the start of the seventh semester (or the equivalent semester for a transfer student). 

What counts toward this requirement?

This requirement may be fulfilled through experiences such as: internships, research, civic engagement, study abroad, and select student employment roles and courses with experiential learning components. Please note that only experiences beginning in September 2024 or later are eligible; students cannot record experiences completed prior to this date. 

  • 2 experiential learning units: 151 - 300+ hours of experiential learning
  • 1 experiential learning unit: 50 - 150 hours of experiential learning
How can I find opportunities?

A great place to start looking for experiential opportunities most relevant to your studies and career aspirations is the Wellesley College Experiential Learning Browser. This includes a variety of Wellesley-specific opportunities such as funded internships, research programs, civic engagement opportunities, and fellowships. 

For study abroad opportunities, please visit the Study abroad semester browser.

For student employment opportunities, please visit the job board in Workday. This will display only positions available to immediately apply for. Please check frequently throughout the year for additional opportunities. 

  • Please note that not all student employment opportunities are eligible for experiential learning units. Opportunities must include at least 50 hours of relevant experiences where students focus on an active learning process and build skills relevant to their future aspirations. Check with your ACE if you have questions about whether an opportunity would apply.

There are summer internships and research opportunities offered by organizations around the world for college students. Thousands of opportunities are available to apply to through Handshake.Not all opportunities in Handshake will complete the ELR. Check with your ACE if you have questions about whether an opportunity would apply. Advisors in Career Education are available to support students year round in preparing applications and interviewing to opportunities. 

What if I am unsure whether my experience fulfills the ELR requirement?

Please reach out to ELR@wellesley.edu with information about the experience or schedule an appointment to meet with your Advisor for Career Exploration (ACE) through Handshake. 

Can I record more than 2 units of experiential learning on my transcript?

Yes! Students can record as many units of experiential learning as they complete during their time at Wellesley and would like visible on their transcript.

What is the process for getting my experience approved?

Students must complete and submit the Experiential Learning Submission Form (available beginning in December 2024) within 6 weeks of the experience end date to facilitate accurate processing. If outside of this window, please email ELR@wellesley.edu prior to submission. 

Do the 2 experiential learning units count toward my 32 academic units?

No. The 2 experiential learning units are in addition to the 32 academic units. 

I have questions about the Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR). Who do I ask?

Please reach out to ELR@wellesley.edu with any general questions about this requirement. 

If you are seeking support in identifying opportunities, or want to discuss experiential learning possibilities, we encourage you to make an appointment in Handshake to meet with your Advisor for Career Exploration (ACE). Marisa Crowley ‘05 is the ACE for the class years of 2026 and 2028. Ariane Baker is the ACE for the class years of 2025 and 2027.