Three credits of Experiential learning are required for graduation from SEBS. Within EENR, experiential learning is NOT a course you simply register for, instead it is hands-on experience that is arranged between students and faculty or students and external supervisors. However, these credits must appear as a "course" in Degree Navigator to count toward this requirement after arrangements have been made.
There are many ways that students can earn these credits.
- Working with Faculty in EENR at Rutgers. The most common way EENR students earn experiential learning credits is to make arrangements with a faculty member to do research in their lab or in the field (see https://deenr.rutgers.edu/facultylist.html). In this situation, the faculty member will provide the student with an SPN to register for 11:216:440 or 11:216:484. Students can do 1, 2 or 3 credits at a time. Each credit requires a minimum of 42 hours of work (about 3 hours per week during the semester). A learning contract must be completed by the faculty member and the student and uploaded to the Majors and Minors in Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources Canvas page (via the appropriate Assignment) in the same semester that the student is doing the work. Students *can* work with faculty outside of EENR (e.g., in Entomology or Human Ecology, etc.) if they get approval from the Undergraduate Program Director and complete the Learning Contract.
- Completing an Internship outside of Rutgers. If you have applied and been accepted for an internship related to EENR, you still must register for credits to meet the Experiential Learning requirements.
If the internship is paid, you should go through the SPIN program. For this program, you will need to complete a form similar to the Learning Contract, identifying Project Learning Goals with your internship supervisor. The UPD can serve as your internal Faculty Sponsor or you can ask your academic advisor. Once your application is approved, you will be given an SPN and course number to register for the credits.
If the internship is either unpaid or minimally paid or less than 160 hours total you have the option of registering for 11:216:440 or 484, but you must work with the UPD (currently Dr. Russell) to be given an SPN. In this case, the UPD will work with you and your supervisor to complete the required Learning Contract. - Participating in one of the many undergraduate research programs at Rutgers including ARESTY or the George H. Cook Scholars Program (these come with course codes that appear in your DN).
- Participating in a study abroad program through Rutgers Global programs (so long as it appears with a course code). Note that these need to be approved by the UPD.
Below is the Learning Contract that you, your faculty advisor, and in the case of an external internship, your job supervisor must fill out before the start of the semester/internship.
If you have any questions, contact Dr. Russell ().