What is VCU REAL?

Experiential learning has many different definitions, but at its core involves an integration of disciplinary knowledge and intellectual skills with “real-world” experiences.  Experiential education occurs along a continuum that prepares students to take increasingly autonomous and empowered roles in their own educational processes. 

REAL experiences are defined as student engagement in transformative, career building activities that connect classroom knowledge to real-world experience, create novel approaches to complex problems, and  contribute actions that benefit our educational, professional, and civil communities.  All REAL experiences are classified by a Level and Type.  

The following terms are used to define and classify VCU curricular and co-curricular types of experiential learning activities.

Learn more about VCU REAL.

What is service-learning?

At VCU, service learning refers to an intentional teaching strategy that engages students in organized service activities and guided reflection. The service activities benefit the community and, in combination with reflection and other classroom-based learning activities, enhance the academic curriculum of participating students.

Service-learning designation is reserved for those credit-bearing academic experiences that involve each enrolled student in a minimum of 20 hours of service per semester, as well as in planned reflection activities.