Experiential Learning

Beyond the walls — and borders

At Quinnipiac, a world-sized classroom is a concept that is critical to a transformative student experience. It includes internships, clinical work, service learning programs, guided research, student organizations and multidisciplinary projects — and more.

It means hundreds of internship sites available to our business students; inner-city schools where our education students teach; research sites in Hungary and Mexico; universities in Ireland and Australia, and museums in Italy. It includes farms an hour from campus, where our students perform health screenings for migrant workers. It means raising more than a quarter of a million dollars to help fight childhood cancer through QTHON, one of our more than 150 student-run groups.

It’s this experiential learning that will prepare you to be an engaged, culturally aware citizen, while learning the kinds of adaptable skills that will serve you for a lifetime.

Fellowships, Internships and Clinicals

Fellowships, internships and clinicals are about much more than earning a few mandatory credits while “getting your feet wet.” In a modern, globalized economy, employers across industries value hands-on experience and a proven track record from young job recruits. As such, we recognize the importance of professional exposure in a modern education, and we take your internship and clinical placement very seriously.

The Quinnipiac network spans countries and industries — and continues to grow. Each year, we help students from all schools and academic disciplines secure internships and clinicals at thousands of globally recognized companies, organizations and firms. They develop their leadership skills and technological expertise at innovative giants such as Google and Comcast; they work alongside doctors, nurses and other health care professionals at St. Vincent's Medical Center; they contribute to newscasts at major networks such CBS, NBC and ESPN; and they learn innovative public relations and marketing strategies used at HarperCollins Publishers and Disney.

Whatever your major, professional fellowships, internships and clinicals are the key to bridging your current passion to your future profession. In many instances, our students are offered full-time positions at their internship and clinical locations after they graduate, proving readiness to tackle challenges in any professional environment confidently and competently.

Nulin Phrommavanh pointing to something off camera — Nulin Phrommavanh ’20, OTD ’23 pioneered the Mystic Aquarium Sensory Friendly Night with 3 other graduate occupational therapy students as a part of her clinical.

Daniel Galvet in front of a dinosaur skeleton display — Daniel Galvet ’23 followed his passion and landed a prestigious internship at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Francesca Marchiano posing for a picture in her scrubs — Francesca Marchiano ’22 was one of only five nursing students selected for the 2021 Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellowship Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Toyloy Brown typing on a laptop in the USA Today offices — Toyloy Brown ’22 spent nine weeks writing for USA Today in New York City.

Two students talk at a computer. — Zahra Murphy ’23 and Megan Sloane ’23 participated in Quinnipiac’s Presidential Public Service Fellowship Program at the Hamden Mayor's Office.

Petrosino walks outside the entrance of Viacom in New York City — Richie Petrosino ’20 participated in a graphic design internship at Viacom in the heart of Manhattan.

Management alumna Brittany Hayles poses in front of Google's headquarters in California — Brittany Hayles ’17 participated in Google's BOLD internship program.

Study Abroad and Domestic

A group of Quinnipiac students stand on a ledge high above the city of Barcelona, Spain

Make lasting connections around the world

Here you’ll join an extensive network of programs and partnerships that extend your reach across the United States and throughout the globe. See the world by participating in one of our programs in 32 different countries. Intern at NBC Entertainment or the "Conan" show in our semester-long QU in LA program, or get involved with politics with our QU in D.C. program. We'll connect you with unique environments where you'll apply your learning, acquire professional skills and learn about yourself in the process.

Explore study abroad and domestic opportunities

Course Projects and Capstones

Like every Quinnipiac student, you'll have many opportunities to learn via hands-on experience through course projects and capstones. You can develop your own video game in one of our Game Design and Development courses or apply portfolio management techniques in a finance course. Any project you pursue can illustrate the depth of your knowledge and skill not only to your professors and peers, but also to potential future employers.

Your academic experience here will also culminate in an integrative capstone project. We know that each academic program — and student — is unique, and therefore no two capstone projects are the same in scope or execution. Communications and media studies students may produce a documentary over four years that showcases their visual storytelling ability, while students in civil engineering may spend the bulk of their senior year working with a local environmental agency. Capstones also can be collaborative and interdisciplinary, allowing you to contribute your expertise to a greater project alongside peers from several other majors.

Learn more

Senior Design Project

Two engineering students gesturing toward equipment in a lab, starts video — In the School of Computing and Engineering, every student completes a Senior Design Project that incorporates real clients and problems, and simulates a project that they might encounter their first day on the job.

Research Opportunities

The Quinnipiac University Interdisciplinary Program for Research and Scholarship (QUIP-RS) provides vital funding for undergraduate students of any major to collaborate with faculty members and conduct research on their areas of interest. This immersive, multi-disciplinary program takes place over eight weeks during the summer and provides students with a $4,000 stipend and up to $1,000 in research materials to develop their scholarly skills, foster their curiosity and complete their research projects.

In addition to working on their projects, students meet weekly with other QUIP-RS fellows and faculty mentors, sharing their successes and failures and discussing as an interdisciplinary team what it means to be a university scholar.

Donate to the QUIP-RS scholarship fund

3 students sitting on the grass with bee catching nets — Dr. Sarah Lawson, professor of biology, led one of Quinnipiac’s paid interdisciplinary summer research programs studying native bee populations around the Mount Carmel Campus.

A close shot of a student studying a bee — Max Stenslie '22 studied native bee populations as part Dr. Lawson's interdisciplinary summer research program.

2 students standing in a river with the professor on the bank taking notes — Sophie Davis '21, MS'22 and Stephen Porobija '22 collected and studied water samples from the Quinnipiac River as part of Quinnipiac University's Interdisciplinary Program for Research & Scholarship (QUIP-RS).

A student tossing a jar of water from inside of the river to a professor while another student climbs up the bank — Davis and Porobija completed their research with Courtney McGinnis, associate professor of biology.

Close up of a baby swallow being measured — QUIP-RS biology students and professors studied swallows during a fieldwork session at Lake Chamberlain in Bethany, Connecticut.

A student holding a baby swallow while a professor looks at it — Sabrina Escobar ’21 and Assistant Professor of Biology Scott Davies studied and took measurements of baby swallows as a part of this fieldwork session.

Giving Back to Our Community

A Camp No Limits volunteer pushes a participate on a roller scooter while the participate collects tennis balls

Educating the Whole Person

Quinnipiac strives to develop students into enlightened citizens who lift communities and embrace inclusive excellence. From hitting the dance floor to raise money and devoting one big day to assisting hundreds of local nonprofits, to celebrating people of all abilities and delivering programs to promote the health of mind, body and spirit, our Quinnipiac community is dedicated to serving our extended community.

Through many university-wide events and initiatives, students, staff and faculty members work to enhance the lives of our neighbors, including:

Learn more

Competitions and Conferences

National competitions and professional conferences enable students from all academic disciplines to address real world issues, present their own research and match their expertise against the brightest minds from other nationally ranked universities across the country. Moreover, they have the chance to earn their first of many publication credits and be regarded as peers by veteran scholars and other leaders in their fields — all of which are great resume builders that employers look for.

These events allow you to represent Quinnipiac on the national stage and open doors to powerful networks, membership to professional organizations and a many other professional resources. Below are just a few competitions and conferences you can take advantage of each year:

American Mock Trial Association Competition
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Student Design Competition
Global Game Jam
National Student Advertising Competition
New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) Challenge
Northeast Intercollegiate Sales Competition (NISC)
Quinnipiac University App Development Hack-a-Thon
Rotman Financial Trading Competition
Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Case Competition

American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress
American Association of Colleges of Nursing annual summit
American Marketing Association Conference
Center for Women and Business, Professional Development Seminars
National Student Nurses Association annual meeting
Pediatric Medical Student Research Forum
Quinnipiac Global Asset Management Education (G.A.M.E.) Forum
Society for American Archaeology Conference

Business students get in the GAME

A business student introduces speakers at the GAME Forum in New York City

Quinnipiac GAME Forum

What’s the name of the game? Getting hands-on experience that translates into real-world success. Each year, 40 or so Quinnipiac business students play an integral role in organizing the annual GAME Forum, a three-day conference held in New York City that brings together the sharpest minds in the finance world. This engaging event — the largest, student-run financial conference in the world — draws more than 1,200 students and faculty from more than 150 colleges and universities. GAME Forum participants hear 140 high-level speakers sound off on everything from investment strategies to the role of social media in the stock market.

QU students, who act as hosts at the event, have the chance to get up close and personal with these finance superstars by participating in Q&A sessions, and attending breakout discussions and workshops on everything from investing to career development.

Learn more about GAME Forum

Leadership Programs and Peer Mentorship

Role-modeling and mentoring from a successful student’s perspective

Engagement Fellows

The School of Business engagement fellows program, led by Professor Fullick-Jagiela, is a hands-on leadership opportunity for students who are highly invested in not just their own learning but also in the learning and development of others. Throughout the academic year, engagement fellows facilitate student and faculty exchanges in classes where hands-on learning is crucial to achieving learning outcomes. They go beyond the traditional approach of teaching assistants, supporting students throughout class interactions and serving as a successful role model.

In addition to working with students and the faculty in the courses they support, engagement fellows themselves participate in an exceptional learning experience that prepares them for their careers and for life. Each week, the fellows meet with Professor Fullick-Jagiela to share highlights, tips, techniques and communication strategies. They work together to brainstorm ways to overcome challenges and talk extensively about societal impact, conflict resolution, team dynamics, time management, providing and receiving effective feedback, empathy and emotional intelligence. During their time in the program, engagement fellows take advantage of ample opportunities to reflect upon their own reasoning processes while gaining insight from reasoned discussions with others.

Since Fall 2020, Professor Fullick-Jagiela has worked with 82 fellows who supported over 100 classes within the School of Business. These former fellows have applied their experience in the program to secure internships, jobs and admission to graduate school programs.

More Ways to Learn

Two students examine human bones as part of a research trip

Centers and Institutes

We have identified specific areas of excellence where our students interact with researchers and professionals at the leading edges of their disciplines. From humanitarian service to entrepreneurism and innovation, our 20 centers and institutes open doors to amazing opportunities for you to intern, study, work and conduct research — both on campus and in countries around the world. That means, you'll have the chance to learn from the best minds in their fields.

Explore Centers and Institutes

Students throw a giant neon green and orange beach ball around during a dance marathon competition

Student Groups

We offer more than 150 student-run groups, where you’ll have the opportunity to join students with diverse backgrounds who have a common passion. Whether that’s Student Government Association, Psychology Club or joining a sorority or fraternity, you’ll find a way to connect with others who share your interest. And it doesn’t stop there. If the group you want to join doesn’t exist, we’ll support you in creating it. It’s up to you what you’ll do.

Explore student groups

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Experiential Learning
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