Experiential Learning

Add new professional experience to your resumé before you graduate. Learn more about how our signature experiential learning model puts your career on the fast track.

A woman in a blue lab coat smiles and talks to a man in the foreground. She has blonde hair tied back, and both are engaged in a laboratory. The scene is well-lit, and there are lab equipment and shelves in the background.

Our Learning Model

Bring your learning to life

For over a century, Northeastern has led the way in experience-based learning. Our experiential learning opportunities allow you to work with leading organizations and apply the knowledge and skills you learn in the classroom to real-world scenarios. Whether you are a recent undergraduate, a professional looking to switch careers, or a leader angling for that next promotion, the industry experience and practical skills you’ll gain at Northeastern will give you a competitive edge in the workforce.

Experiential learning in the classroom

Experiential learning begins in the classroom, where faculty provide real-world learning opportunities in their lessons and curriculums. In each class, you’ll learn from faculty members who have years of experience in their fields—most of whom are still working within their industries as they teach. They’ll share expert insights on current industry trends, provide mentorship and support as you advance your career, and help you draw stronger connections between your studies and the real world.

Coursework can include case studies, experience-based projects, discussions, and scenario-based simulations of professional experiences, in addition to other activities. In laboratory settings, you’ll work with cutting-edge technologies and techniques to solve 21st-century challenges with skills that transfer into growing careers. Many courses finish with a capstone, thesis, dissertation in practice, or another culminating assignment that lets you dive deeply into a topic of personal importance while drawing on all of your new skills and experiences.

Graduate experiential learning opportunities

Discover the ways you can apply your knowledge to real-world problems beyond the classroom.

Co-op

Co-ops connect graduate students with paid positions at leading companies, government organizations, and nonprofits around the world, allowing you to acquire industry experience while you earn your degree. You’ll gain tangible skills and meet industry leaders while developing your career in the field of your choice. Many of our graduates finish their co-ops with job offers, lifelong mentors, cofounders, and other valuable connections.

Recent co-op employers
IBM	Spotify
Wayfair	Deloitte
Amazon	Biogen
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute	NBC Universal
Morgan Stanley	Boston Consulting Group

Learn more about co-op

Experiential Network (XN)

Participate in six-week projects that impact critical business decisions. Embedded virtually at sponsoring businesses or nonprofits, you’ll dive into real data, conduct research and analysis, and provide recommendations to help leading organizations solve their challenges.

Recent XN projects have included developing stakeholder engagement plans, creating marketing communication plans for a new product, evaluating team efficiency, and developing a strategy for identifying and pursuing grants.

Learn more about XN

Industry PhD

Your doctoral studies can happen collaboratively between Northeastern and your organization, allowing you to earn your PhD and conduct research without leaving your full-time job. Your workplace becomes a site for discovery and learning opportunities while your employer invests in a future leader.

Most of your research will be conducted at your organization while Northeastern offers numerous resources to guide your studies. You’ll have access to state-of-the-art research spaces, top-ranked career and research support services, and connections with industry-leading professors and mentors who can provide valuable insights.

Learn more about our Industry PhD

Corporate residencies

Some colleges, like the D’Amore-McKim School of Business, offer unique corporate residencies that immerse you in the day-to-day realities of a successful firm in your chosen industry. You’ll build the skills and expertise that will make you stand out and get a firsthand look at how organizations expand, meet real-world challenges, and provide value to their customers or clients. Corporate residencies also help you develop valuable career connections with business leaders, mentors, and like-minded peers who can support you throughout your career.

Learn more about corporate residencies

Experiential learning projects at work

In collaboration with your professor and your employer, you can propose an experience-based learning project that will directly benefit both your classroom studies and your career. You’ll be able to immediately apply your learning to your everyday role at work, drawing connections that can both reinforce your skills and make a tangible impact on your workplace. Plus, your initiative may demonstrate strong potential for a promotion or increased leadership opportunities within your organization.

Fast facts

72.5% of Northeastern graduate students participate in a co-op

3,800+ employers across the globe partner with Northeastern students

149 countries with experiential learning opportunities since 2006

Learn more

Check out our blog for additional insights into the types of experiential learning offered at Northeastern, how they can impact your career, and more.