Discovery Learning Experience

Three DLE credits are required of all bachelor degree undergraduate students entering UD as of Fall 2006 or later.

A Discovery Learning Experience (DLE) is discovery-based and experiential learning that involves instructional experiences out-of-class and beyond typical curriculum courses. UD students must register and successfully complete at least three credits of DLE. This may be one 3 credit experience or experiences of 1 or 2 credits adding up to three credits.

The DLE requirement can be satisfied by successfully completing 3 credits in one, or a combination of, the following:

• Internship for credit (120 hours of work required)
• Study Abroad
• DLE Designated Courses
• Service Learning
• Independent Study
• Undergraduate Research

 

Internship for Credit

Lerner students who have obtained an internship of at least 120 hours, and have obtained instructor approval, may register for one of the following internship courses offered by the Lerner College:

• FINC 364:  Finance in Practice
  Contact: Ms. Arlene Hichens, hitchenaudel [dot] edu
• BUAD 364:  Business Administration in Practice
  Contact: Dr. Jennifer Gregan-Paxton, greganjudel [dot] edu
• MISY 364:  Management Information Systems in Practice
  Contact: Ms. Diane Wright, wrightdudel [dot] edu
• ACCT 364:  Accounting in Practice
  Contact:  Dr. Kent St. Pierre, kentudel [dot] edu
• HRIM 488: HRIM Practicum I

An internship is a guided work experience that allows the student to integrate theory and practice.  The primary goal of the internship course is to highlight and enhance the educational value of the internship experience.

 

Study Abroad

Lerner students have many choices when it comes to international programs and experiences.   

• 5-week Winter & Summer Session Programs:  Students can choose from over 60 different programs, including several organized by Lerner faculty, to such locations as Australia, Europe South America, Africa and Antarctica.  For more information, please visit: http://international.udel.edu/studyabroad/programs/default.asp
• 5-week Winter & Summer Internship Programs:  Lerner students can choose to pursue an internship abroad via programs to Australia and Hong Kong. 
• Full Semester Exchange Programs:  Lerner students can participate in exchange programs with partner Universities in Berlin (Germany), Lisbon (Portugal), Mannheim (Germany) and Kalmar (Sweden).
• Full Semester Consortium Programs:  Lerner students can study in Italy for a semester with a cohort of students from around the US.  For more information, please visit:  http://international.udel.edu/studyabroad/programs/default.asp
• Other Study Abroad Programs:  Lerner students may elect to study abroad on their own at the international university of their choice. They may also participate in another US University’s study abroad program. 

For information about study abroad options for Lerner students, please contact Prof. Jennifer Gregan-Paxton in the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Academic Services, 102 Purnell Hall.

DLE Designated Courses

Students may satisfy the DLE requirement by taking any course in the university that carries the DLE designation.  For a list of courses approved for DLE credit, please visit  http://www.ugs.udel.edu/dle/courseList.htm.

Service Learning

Service learning combines academic study under a faculty member’s direction with community service under the direction of a community partner.  Service learning links student to the needs of the larger society. 

Accounting majors have the opportunity to engage in service learning by taking ACCT 363:  Service Learning and the Earned Income Tax.

Lerner students may also apply to be a Service Learning Scholar through the Office of Service Learning.  Scholars receive a stipend to work on a service project during summer session.

For other service learning opportunities, please visit the Office of Service Learning 180 South College Avenue (http://www.servicelearning.udel.edu/).  

Independent Study and Undergraduate Research

Students who wish to individually pursue an academic issue that falls outside the traditional curriculum may choose to do so by undertaking an independent study project or by participating in supervised research with a faculty member.  Those interested in either of these options should contact a Lerner faculty member and present their proposed course of study or particular research question.