At Duquesne, you will pursue Experiential Learning Opportunities (ELOs). In many majors, an Experiential Learning Opportunity is already embedded in academic requirements for the major. Your Student Success Coach can confirm this. 

Other majors offer a variety of options for Experiential Learning. These include Study Abroad and Community-engaged courses, as well as options that are specific to individual majors. Your Student Success Coach can confirm this, too.

Duquesne student and faculty member working together on a laptop

Experiential learning happens outside of classes, as well. Whether you do an internship, student research, or have a leadership role on campus, you can work with Duquesne faculty and staff to have this recognized as a form of experiential learning. All Duquesne undergraduates can propose an Individual ELO. For Individual ELOs, you and your ELO Director provide strategies for achievement of the learning outcomes and an assessment plan.

Bridges ELO Learning Outcomes

Experiential Learning Opportunities will meet outcomes 1-3, and possibly 4 and/or 5. Upon completion of the experiential learning requirement you will:

  1. Integrate and extend knowledge from your academic study to their experience in local and global communities;

  2. Demonstrate abilities to communicate and collaborate effectively in varied contexts;

  3. Develop your civic identity by describing your learning and its import for participation in your local and global communities;

  4. Explain social determinants of inequality;

  5. Demonstrate evidence of adjustment in your attitudes and beliefs because of working within and learning from others in diverse workplaces, communities, or cultures.

Bridges Individual ELO Forms

Individual ELOs are approved by one of your school designees by the fourth week of the current academic term. Pro tip: Secure approval before then. School designees include Department Chairs, Program Directors, and Associate Deans.

Proposal form Verification form

ELO Responsibilities

Student Responsibilities

As a student, complete the Bridges Individual ELO Proposal, including a comprehensive description of the proposed experience and how it meets the learning outcomes (see question #1 and #2 on the proposal), and then:

  • Identify a Director of the ELO, who must sign your proposal;
  • Submit your proposal to the student's School Designee;
  • Register for any course that is related to the ELO during the regular registration period for the academic term, if the ELO involves a Duquesne course; and
  • Complete the ELO and any corresponding activities/assignments, including the ELO Verification Form, by the last day of classes for the given semester to allow sufficient time for final grading or verification of the experience. 

Director Responsibilities

As Director, assist the student in formulating a plan for their ELO and also:

  • Review the student's Individual ELO Proposal and provide feedback;
  • Sign the student's proposal;
  • Monitor the student's progress during the project in a manner specified in the proposal; and
  • Verify the student has met the requirements of the Individual ELO and met all required Learning Outcomes and goals as described in the proposal by submitting the Verification Form. 

School Designee Responsibilities

As a School Designee, review the Individual ELO Proposal and then:

  • Sign the proposal when it is satisfactory and provides copies to the student, Director, the student's Student Success Coach, and the Bridges Steering Committee;
  • Notify the student and Director in the event the proposal is not satisfactory; and
  • Identify areas for improvement.