Experiential Learning and Your College Education

Modern learners who seek career-oriented education often want more than traditional coursework. They are looking for opportunities to build practical and technical skills that directly apply to their chosen field. For these students, experiential learning provides significant benefits by helping them form lasting connections between their prior knowledge and new concepts.

A common misconception is that experiential education must take place in person. In reality, advancing technology makes this type of learning possible in both classroom and online settings. Many students combine their professional experience with formal coursework to prepare for new career paths, making experiential learning a central component of modern higher education.

To learn more about Bryant & Stratton College’s on-campus and online career-focused degree programs, check out our full list of undergraduate degree programs!

What Is Experiential Learning (ExL)?

Experiential learning (ExL) is a teaching methodology that challenges educators to create immersive, engaging opportunities for students. According to the Association for Experiential Education, it requires instructors to design both a concrete experience and meaningful opportunities for reflection. This process strengthens the learning process and ensures that students can:

• Deepen their understanding of key topics.
• Develop advanced professional and technical skills.
• Connect personal values with new knowledge.
• Apply experiential learning to serve the broader community.

History of Experiential Learning

The roots of experiential education stretch back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when educators such as John Dewey promoted integrating real-world experiences into the didactic classroom. According to EduSourced, Dewey argued that authentic experiences should complement traditional instruction in the United States.

As the benefits of hands-on learning became more widely recognized, researchers explored how to formalize this approach. In 1974, David Kolb introduced a comprehensive theory of experiential learning, which continues to shape classrooms today. His framework, known as the experiential learning cycle, emphasizes that learning is ongoing and cyclical, with no fixed beginning or end.

Kolb also outlined four primary learner types — converging, diverging, assimilating and accommodating — each of whom engages with the cycle differently. Still, all learners progress through the same four stages:

Four Stages of Experiential Learning

1. Concrete Experience — A hands-on learning activity or immersive experience.
2. Reflective Observation — Reflection on what occurred and its outcomes.
3. Abstract Conceptualization — Forming new ideas and strategies, strengthening problem-solving and critical thinking.
4. Active Experimentation — Testing new approaches in practice, reinforcing knowledge and skills.

How Does Experiential Learning Work?

Experiential learning can look very different depending on the program and individual course design. Educators who rely on this approach value its open-ended nature, which provides flexibility to incorporate unique, engaging experiences into the learning process.

For example, students in a digital marketing program might design and distribute market research surveys to peers, family or coworkers, then analyze the results and build campaigns from the data. In an education program, learners may create their own lesson plans and implement them in real classrooms, rather than simply studying existing models.

Importantly, today’s experiential education is not limited to traditional classrooms. Online degree programs use advanced technology to create meaningful, practical learning opportunities that allow students to engage with real-world problems and solutions from anywhere.

Common Examples of Experiential Learning

According to the Association for Experiential Education, common examples of experiential learning in higher education include:

• Outdoor Education — Students have an opportunity to interact with the natural environment outside the confines of classroom walls.
• Place-Based Education — Students may participate in internship programs where they can put newfound skills and knowledge into practice in real-world professional environments.
• Project-Based Learning — Project-based learning allows students to collaborate with classmates and develop a solution to a common problem, building their critical thinking, analytical and research skills.

While specific activities vary by program, every concrete experience deepens student understanding and helps them retain knowledge long-term.

Importance of Questions and Reflection

The key to effective experiential learning lies in what happens after the concrete experience. Experiences should be structured so students reflect intentionally, ask meaningful questions and develop new ideas. Reflection transforms an activity from simply “doing” into genuine learning by prompting students to connect outcomes with theory, compare different approaches and evaluate their own decision-making. For example, asking thoughtful questions — such as What worked well? What challenges did I encounter? How does this relate to what I already know? — encourages deeper critical thinking, helping learners identify patterns and recognize areas for improvement.

This reflective stage of the experiential learning cycle engages learners intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically, reinforcing deeper connections to the material. When institutions emphasize structured reflection, students leave with not only practical skills but also the ability to adapt and grow in diverse professional contexts.

Benefits of Experiential Learning

Experiential education supports holistic student growth, offering wide-ranging benefits. The National Association of Colleges and Employers shares the following benefits:

• Gaining real-world experience before entering the workforce, effectively “test-driving” a career path.
• Building stronger, lasting connections to course content.
• Improving reflection and self-assessment skills.
• Expanding professional networks and pursuing mentorship opportunities.

As more colleges integrate experiential learning into both on-campus and online programs, students report higher satisfaction and stronger career readiness after graduation. These immersive opportunities have a lasting influence that continues well beyond earning a degree.

Experiential Learning in College

The role of experiential learning in college varies depending on the degree program and individual courses, but in nearly every case, it plays a vital part in the overall educational experience. Colleges design these opportunities to connect theory to practice, helping students build professional skills while advancing through the learning process.

Here are some of the most common ways colleges incorporate experiential education:

On-Campus Labs

On-campus labs provide students with a hands-on learning environment where they can test ideas, work with materials and build technical skills. These structured spaces allow learners to develop core competencies while preparing for their careers. At institutions such as Bryant & Stratton College, labs may focus on nursing, technology, medical assisting or physical therapy, offering authentic concrete experiences that mirror professional settings.

College Internships

Internships are short-term professional experiences that allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world environments. These opportunities help learners develop entry-level skills, expand professional networks and test potential career paths. The nature of an internship often depends on the student’s program: education majors complete student teaching in classrooms, while accounting majors may work with firms or corporate accounting departments.

Internships also provide valuable concrete experiences that bring the experiential learning cycle to life. Students observe, reflect and then apply new strategies in professional contexts, which reinforces their academic learning with practical insights. Many colleges build internship requirements directly into degree programs because they foster adaptability, workplace readiness and confidence. For all learner types, internships are one of the most impactful forms of experiential learning, preparing students for career advancement while giving them a chance to test their personal interests in a supportive setting.

Previous Work Experience

Adult learners can also integrate previous professional experience into their coursework. Whether attending in person or online, students often draw on past roles to strengthen participation in experiential learning activities such as project-based learning or collaborative assignments. This blending of work history with academic study enhances both understanding and confidence.

Previous work experience also allows learners to approach the learning process with perspective and maturity. For example, a student who has worked in healthcare can connect classroom discussions about patient care with real-world challenges they have witnessed firsthand. Others may use management or technical backgrounds to enrich group projects and offer practical solutions. By acknowledging the value of professional experience, colleges recognize that experiential education extends beyond internships and labs — it also lives in the skills and insights that adult learners bring with them into the classroom.

Online Experiential Learning

Even in virtual classrooms, experiential learning remains central. Advanced technology now enables students to engage in meaningful concrete experiences that launch the experiential learning cycle. Examples include:

• Creating projects and presentations with advanced digital tools.
• Engaging with classmates and instructors via video conferences, interactive polls or discussion boards.

Just like on-campus opportunities, online experiences encourage active engagement, reflection and experimentation. Ultimately, immersive activities are what allow every learner, regardless of profile or style, to achieve deeper understanding and lasting knowledge.

Leverage Experiential Learning for Your College Degree

At Bryant & Stratton College, we recognize that the learning process is different for each individual, which is why we strive to provide a personalized education for all our students. Through both in-person and online coursework, we provide students with a skills-based education that prepares them for their preferred career path, regardless of the degree program that they choose.

From flexible online learning programs to associate degree programs and bachelor’s degree programs, we offer a wide range of skills-based degree programs for modern students.

Request more information about Bryant & Stratton College today.