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Dive Deep into Valuable Experiences
Conduct research with a faculty mentor. Enroll in courses that take you far beyond the classroom. Test-drive your future career with an internship. Give back to your community as a volunteer. Spend a semester abroad. Present your art at the student symposium. Through Experiential Education and Learning (ExEL) at Nova Southeastern University, you will be exposed to a boundless list of opportunities. Gaining diverse, meaningful experiences might just be the most valuable part of your college education.
NSU Sharks are required to earn six ExEL units. You’ll get your first ExEL unit by taking UNIV 1000—an introductory course for first-year students. You’ll also earn another unit for your senior capstone project (if the course is ExEL approved), which you will complete in the last semester before you graduate. From engaging in cutting-edge research to studying abroad, you can dive deep into an ocean of opportunities to earn your ExEL units.
How Will You ExEL at NSU?
Earn units for joining faculty-mentored research projects, volunteering in your community, serving as a campus leader, and more.
ExEL at a Glance
The Six Pillars of Experiential Learning at NSU
All NSU Sharks are required to earn six ExEL units. But it’s up to you how you choose to spend your time earning them. Explore your interests and passions in any of the six pillars below, and fulfill your ExEL requirements at the same time:
I have had a wonderful experience in my internship. Not only have I learned about diseases of the eyes through unique patient cases, but I have also learned every aspect of running an optometry practice.
Maria S. | Biology Major
Community Engagement
Volunteer at your local animal shelter. Serve meals to the homeless. Join a medical mission trip. Giving back can earn you ExEL units too.
Experiential Coursework
You’ll get your first ExEL unit by taking UNIV 1000—an introductory course for first-year students. Earn additional ExEL units from more than 200 ExEL courses inside and outside your major and minor.
Global Engagement
Study art history or French in Paris. Live on a boat for a semester. You’ll learn how to look at life from an entirely different point of view while you earn ExEL units.
Professional Growth
Participate in mock trials. Become a member of the model United Nations team. Shadow a marine biologist on the job. Intern at Disney World for the summer. Grow professionally and earn ExEL units at the same time.
Undergraduate Leadership
Help fellow Sharks reach their personal and professional goals. Demonstrate leadership skills as a first-year peer leader, tutor, or leading member of a student organization.
Undergraduate Research
Study chronic illness. Contribute to research on schizophrenia. Learn about genetics. Team up with faculty mentors and accomplished researchers to better understand their award-winning techniques.
Where Learning Happens
Tour One of Our Research Labs
How to Earn ExEL Units
It can be as simple as taking classes in your major that are ExEL designated. But why limit yourself? This is your chance to enrich yourself professionally and academically.
Co-curricular units are determined by the hours of experiential education you complete:
- One unit = 40–79 experiential hours
- Two units = 80+ experiential hours
Note: Transfer students are not required to earn ExEL units for graduation.
Curricular Opportunities
Courses are referred to as “curricular” experiences, and all ExEL-designated courses are worth one unit. Your first ExEL unit will come from UNIV 1000—the First-Year Experience course you’re required to take during your first semester.
Co-Curricular Opportunities
Internships, community service, leadership activities—earn ExEL units for a wide range of co-curricular opportunities.
Five Ways Experiential Learning Will Give You an Edge
Internships, research, studying abroad, community service, leadership roles, faculty mentorship—these are the experiential learning opportunities that will catapult you to the top of the list for prospective employers and future opportunities.
Real-World Experience Puts You to the Test
When you ace a competitive internship, it shows future employers exactly what you are capable of. Your Edge Adviser will make sure you have the tools you need to come out at the top with internships and job shadow opportunities. References you gain through your internship are your gold ticket to the future.
Stand Out with Impressive Credentials
Employers and graduate school admissions officers scan through countless applications. Getting some big names on your résumé will add serious weight to your profile.
Build Your Professional Network
Who you know is just as important as what you know. Need a graduate school recommendation? The faculty member whose research project you joined to earn ExEL units would be the perfect person to ask. Looking for a job at a nonprofit organization? The same researcher might have a connection there.
Connect with the ExEL Experts
We are here to help you gain diverse, meaningful experiences to connect you to a world of hands-on opportunities that will enrich your academic life.
Current Students
If you have any questions about the ExEL program, please email exel@nova.edu or call (954) 262-2047.
Prospective Students
Connect with an admissions counselor to learn more about the application process.