Antioch University recognizes the validity of learning not only in the traditional academic setting but also in non-classroom activities such as internships and independent studies, even including “prior learning” acquired through work, volunteer, or personal experience before matriculation at Antioch.
Catering to returning adult students, Antioch University has led the way in recognizing learning gained prior to university re-entry as potentially valid and creditable college-level learning. A typical student’s program includes a rich mixture of the following formats:
* In-class learning (classes, workshops, and seminars)
* Internships
* Prior learning
* Online Learning
Experiential learning activities play an equally important role in the Antioch experience as we believe it offers our students the opportunity to apply theory to real world community settings and see tangible results.
In the Classroom
The Antioch classroom encourages students to participate interactively with the faculty and each other to share ideas and construct new knowledge. Small classes of 8-18 students allow faculty to lead conversations in a way that values the experiences and insights of all members in the room. Most 3-unit classes meet for 3-hour weekly sessions for 10 weeks.
Saturday Seminars
Every term, the B.A. Completion Program offers a number of 1-unit seminars that are intensive learning experiences for students. Thes workshops meet Saturday for a full day and include supplemental reading and other assignments.
Most working-adult students enter Antioch University’s program with college-level learning, which they have acquired in the workplace, in the home, or in volunteer activities. Crediting Prior Learning is based on the assumption – increasingly accepted in higher education – that considerable college-level learning occurs outside of the traditional classroom.
One of the most unique features of Antioch’s B.A. completion program is Prior Learning Assessment. Antioch recognizes that college-level learning often takes place outside of academic settings. B.A. students often bring a wealth of such prior learning to their studies at Antioch, and the program offers the unique option to convert this learning into academic credit by documentation and evaluation by a qualified supervisor. Students can earn up to 45 units of credit by documenting learning that took place prior to their enrollment at Antioch.
Since Antioch University believes strongly in the value of hands-on learning through life experience, each student’s program includes experiential learning in field placements. The Service-Learning Internship Program provides structured opportunities in community-based learning activities which also provide service to the local community.
An Antioch University Internship affords B.A. students a challenging way to get up close and personal with an agency, organization, or individual that has a demonstrated commitment to student learning.
