All degree-seeking students in the Collat School of Business are required to engage in one of several options for an experiential learning credit. You should work with your academic advisor to determine which option is the best fit for you.
Creating a Competitive Advantage
Research shows that experience in addition to the degree is the #1 item employers are looking for in a new hire. In today's competitive job market you need to be able to show that you have on-the-job learning and understand the industry.
The experiential learning requirement allows you to apply what you have learned and showcase the skills that you have acquired to your future employer. In addition to building your resume, this requirement can better prepare you to develop career goals based on your experience in different kinds of industries and work environments. You may identify a specific area that you really enjoy and want to focus your studies on, or find that what you originally intended to major in may not be what you actually enjoy doing.
Real life, hands-on experience helps our graduates stand above the rest and ready to launch successful careers.
Experiential Learning Requirement Options
You may tailor the requirement to fit your needs by choosing one of the following options. See the UAB Undergraduate Catalog opens a new website for course descriptions.
Business Analysis Project
Complete Small Business Consulting and Research (MK 440/BUS 440) with a small team and professor to gain experience with an individual company and particular project.
Business Courses
Complete Practicum in Commercialization (ENT 426), Principles of Real Estate (FN 370), or Advanced Professional Selling (MK 425).
Education Abroad
Change the way that you view your education, career, and life. Broaden your perspective of the world through one of UAB's Education Abroad programs opens a new website including Collat faculty-led programs with a travel component.
Honors Programs
Complete the Collat School of Business Honors Program or another UAB Honors Program opens a new website.
Internship
Gain experience in your career field and develop the skills that employers want to see through a paid or volunteer internship. Not only can internships offer a possible income, they also may lead to future employment.
Research Project
Develop your research skills while working with a professor on a project — experience first-hand what may be required in graduate school or a career field heavy in research. You may even have a publication to add to your resume! Contact your academic advisor for more information.
Service Learning
Work on a semester-long project with a professor and class of students to complete a project or solve a problem. This can be fulfilled through an approved course or contract with a professor. Contact your academic advisor for more information.
Experience Waiver
Complete and submit the 
experience waiver to the chair of your department to be considered for a waiver of the experiential learning requirement. Some examples of activities that can merit a waiver include:
- work experience that allows you to integrate academic knowledge with practical application
- completion of a nationally recognized program such as the Disney college program