Experiential Learning

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Academics & Experiential Learning

Arts and sciences degrees prepare students to think critically, communicate clearly, collaborate effectively, and solve complex problems. Academic Innovation reinforces the value of these skills by ensuring students graduate with both deep disciplinary knowledge and the professional competencies needed for a wide range of careers.

Franklin’s Academic Portfolio 

Growing Franklin’s Academic Portfolio to Stay Aligned with Market Trends:

Our new degree programs respond to the growing demand for creative professionals fluent in digital storytelling; this includes a bachelor’s degree in art with a concentration in animation. Meanwhile, a new bachelor’s in Neuroscience brings together biological, psychological, and computational approaches to understanding the brain. 

On the graduate level, new master’s programs in Therapeutics Discovery prepare students to contribute to rapidly evolving scientific and medical fields.

A dynamic set of new minors and certificates from Applied History, Artificial Intelligence, Bioethics, Climate‑change Geographies, Data Visualization, Health Humanities, Forensic Science to Publishing gives students fresh ways to connect ideas across fields and engage deeply with the challenges shaping today’s world. These programs are designed to complement any major, offering flexible pathways for students to build specialized skills and broaden their intellectual toolkit.

These innovations are complemented by the UGA Double Dawgs program, which allows students to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years or less. By accelerating their academic trajectory, students save time and money while entering the workforce with advanced credentials that offer a competitive edge. Together, these new majors, minors, certificates, and accelerated pathways reflect Franklin’s commitment to building forward‑looking curricula that prepare students to thrive in an increasingly complex world.

“After working in the Layton Design Studio, I have greater confidence and the experience to manage projects in a design agency. Whereas before I only wanted to work as a designer, now I am willing to step out of my comfort zone and lead with project management skills.”  Anna P. / BFA ’25
“After working in the Layton Design Studio, I have greater confidence and the experience to manage projects in a design agency. Whereas before I only wanted to work as a designer, now I am willing to step out of my comfort zone and lead with project management skills.” 
Anna P. / BFA ’25

Expanding Experiential Learning and Immersive Programs

Experiential Learning at Franklin is grounded in the belief that hands-on engagement is essential to a transformative education. By stepping beyond the classroom and into real-world contexts, students deepen their understanding, strengthen their skills, and prepare to thrive in a rapidly changing world. These immersive experiences help students apply academic knowledge in authentic settings, build meaningful networks, and explore career pathways that lead to long-term success.

Read more:

Pre-Med Journey Takes Student Across Campus and Cortona

English and German Double Major Explores Summer in Berlin

Through many experiential learning opportunities, students cultivate independent inquiry in Capstone courses and research projects, expand their intercultural competence through Study Away and global programs, gain first-hand insight into professional environments  through internships and contribute to the public good through service and community-based learning. Each pathway empowers students to connect theory with practice and develop confidence and adaptability essential for career readiness.

Special Learning Opportunities at Franklin

Study Away


Students in front of bridge in London

Study Away programs at Franklin offer hands-on learning opportunities through field research, internships, or community engagement by applying classroom knowledge in real-world settings. With 75+ study away programs including 50+ study abroad programs across five continents and 57 countries and 20+ domestic field studies programs covering dozens of cities and national parks throughout the United States, Franklin offers a diverse range of experiential learning opportunities - bringing classroom learning to life, providing cultural immersion, a deeper understanding, and a global perspective.

Franklin CREATE!

Franklin Create! LogoFranklin has introduced a new experiential learning opportunity - Franklin CREATE! This bold new initiative builds entrepreneurial confidence among arts and sciences students and prepares them to launch successful startups. Working in close partnership with the UGA Entrepreneurship Program and the UGA Innovation District, Franklin CREATE! extends the university's startup infrastructure into the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, creating new pathways within the university’s vibrant innovation ecosystem for students to move from idea to launch.

Expanded Education Through Research

Students can participate in active research through programs including CURO and VIPR as well as in department faculty-led projects where students gain practical skills in designing studies, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting findings. This hands-on approach fosters critical thinking and collaboration, preparing students for professional careers and advanced studies.

Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) is open to all undergraduates pursuing faculty-mentored research, including students in their first year at the University of Georgia. Students earn course credit for research in any department regardless of year, GPA, or major. Vertically Integrated Projects for Research (VIPR) fosters collaborative research teams tackling tomorrow’s challenges. This program supports collaborative, interdisciplinary research teams that include undergraduate researchers, faculty mentors, and other scientists such as graduate students, postdoctoral associates, and faculty collaborators. VIPR teams engage UGA students in long-term, large-scale, multidisciplinary research as they work alongside faculty and graduate students to solve real-world challenges.

Supporting the Future of Health and Medicine

With the launch of the new UGA School of Medicine, Franklin is expanding its role in preparing students for health-related careers. Academic Innovation is advancing programs in mental health and evidence-based practice, drug discovery and therapeutics, bioethics, computational biology along with communication and leadership for healthcare professionals. Students can combine fields, such as biology or biochemistry with sociology, languages or international policy, to pursue careers in health policy, medicine, and public service. 

Broadening Access Through Online Learning

Innovation also means expanding how we engage and we have developed online master’s degree programs to respond to the growing demand for flexible, high-quality graduate education tailored to working professionals Franklin currently offers four online graduate degrees, including the highly regarded M.A.Ed. in Music Education.

that has been enhancing the careers of musicians for over a decade, and three new master’s programs launched in 2025 in Applied Data Science, Art Education, and Environmental Geology.

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