×
Students partake in engaged learning in the field

Engaged Learning

Engaged Learning

The College of Arts and Sciences is proud to support Loyola University Chicago's mission of advancing experiential, community-engaged learning and pedagogy through Engaged Learning courses and opportunities. As part of the University Core Curriculum, students are required to explore various forms of learning outside of the classroom throughout their time at the university. By embedding opportunities to explore and reflect upon the many forms of experiential learning as part of their academic coursework, students gain structured, hands-on experience in their area of study and future careers.

By The Numbers

565

565 engaged learning courses offered through CAS during the '21 - '22 school year

183

183 faculty offered engaged learning courses in CAS during the '21 - '22 school year

2,498

2,498 students participated in CAS engaged learning courses during the '21 - '22 school year

Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate research is a high-impact learning experience for students outside of the traditional classroom environment. Students conduct research across their discipline in classrooms, labs, archives, and communities, whether through formal coursework, independent study, and/or one of Loyola's Undergraduate Research Opportunities (LUROP) 14 funded research fellowship opportunities.

For more information on how to get involved in undergraduate research, including guidance on how to find a mentor, join a research project, apply to participate, and locate funding, the Office of Undergraduate Research offers workshops, presentations, and even classes to develop and enrich the research experience for all undergraduate students at Loyola.

Students socializing at the Loyola Redline stop
"I'm more confident in myself and my work. It's made me think a lot about my future and expanded my career goals to be what I actually want to do." Bernardo Gomez, Political Science, Global Studies & Spanish, BA '23
Molecular Biology Lab empowers students to lead their own research projects
Undergraduate Research

Learning Leadership in the Lab and Beyond

Professor James LoDolce's Molecular Biology Lab empowers students to lead their own research projects with industry partners and independently navigate the ins-and-outs of the scientific method, how to communicate like a scientist, and the importance of failure in achieving success.

Read more
Nicholas Puente discovered shards of volcanic glass while participating in field work in Mexico
Field Work

Keys to the Past & Future

Nicholas Puente (Anthropology, BA '19) discovered shards of volcanic glass while participating in field work in Mexico that revealed key insight into ancient and modern power structures and guided his decision to pursue further studies.

Read more
Bernardo Gomez participated in an academic internship with the City of Chicago's Community Safety Coordination Center
Academic Internship

Community-Based Career Development

Bernardo Gomez (Political Science and Global Studies, BA '23) participated in an academic internship with the City of Chicago's Community Safety Coordination Center to support community-based violence prevention efforts and learn the ropes of public service and city government as a junior.

Read more
Chicago downtown skyline with bridge and train over the Chicago river

CELTS

At Loyola University Chicago, engaging in the community and research outside the classroom is part of the curriculum. The Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship (CELTS) facilitates experiential learning at the intersection of faculty, community partners, and students. CELTS facilitates community-based, high-impact programs, training, and scholarship development to support students' completion of the Engaged Learning requirement learning, reflective practice and learning in the Ignatian tradition.

Learn More

Engaged Learning Resources