At SUNY, Applied Learning refers to an educational approach whereby students learn by engaging in direct application of skills, theories and models. Students apply knowledge and skills gained from traditional classroom learning to hands-on and/or real-world settings, creative projects or independent or directed research, and in turn apply what is gained from the applied experience to academic learning. The applied learning activity can occur outside of the traditional classroom experience and/or be embedded as part of a course. In order to be considered Applied Learning, the experiences must meet criteria that are based on national standards in experiential education.
"No matter what field a student decides to go into, you can bet that social networking, communications skills, and critical thinking will be required. So we will emphasize these adaptive skills in all we do. We also will give them the enormous advantage of entering the workplace having learned through experiences—with internships, apprenticeships, research projects, and other out of the classroom experiences that prepare them for their unique futures”, said Chancellor Kristina Johnson.
Applied learning experiences strengthen the academic performance of students, increase student retention, and improve employment outcomes post-graduation.
In addition, Chancellor Johnson has set the goal for SUNY to at least “double all measures of increasing cross-disciplinary research, scholarly work, entrepreneurship, and our outreach, including expanding opportunities offered to students for research in emerging disciplines—and internships with innovators and entrepreneurs in fields that are changing our world.”