FAQ | Center for Experiential Learning | Washington University in St. Louis

Eligibility

Are CEL programs open to first-year graduate students?

First-year graduate students are eligible to participate in our programs after their first semester.

Am I eligible to participate in CEL offerings if I do not possess CPT or OPT status?

Yes! Since CEL courses are exclusively for course credit, your CPT or OPT is not a determining factor.

Application & Selection

What does the application process look like?

For programs that are application-based (Practicum, CELect, and United Way Board Fellows), you are required to fill out an application, found on this site and within course listings for each class. The application will provide you with important program-specific details and key dates.

If applying for CELect and/or Practicum, you are required to submit a resume and a short video. Further details can be found within the application.

If applying for United Way Board Fellows, you are required to submit a resume and a cover letter. You will be asked to schedule an in-person interview as well. Further details can be found within the application.

What is the selection process like?

Each program has a selection committee that reviews the application information holistically, taking into account the application submission, prior experience, goals for participation, feedback gathered from academic advisor, and faculty recommendations.

Will I see the client list before I apply for Practicum?

No, client projects will be provided for choice ranking after final student selection into the program. However, you will be asked to rank your top 3 functional areas and top 3 industry sectors within the application. Practicum is a competitive process that aligns client needs and student ability.

Programs

Which CEL program should I take?

Consider the sector you are interested in (nonprofit, business, start-up) as well as the area of focus for each program. Typically, we expect a commitment of 10-15 hours per week. See “Programs Offerings” for more information on each program and eligibility requirements. You can also answer a few questions here to find your best fit!

Can I participate in more than one CEL program in a semester?

We recommend students participate in one CEL program at a time. If you are interested in applying for more than one program in a semester, discuss with the appropriate program manager(s) prior to committing. We encourage you to apply each semester for any opportunities that interest you. There is no limit to the number of times you can engage.

Do CEL programs run every semester? 

Yes, CEL programs run every semester and generally have different clients (although some clients repeat). Board Fellows is the only year-long program (Jan-Dec).

Enrollment & Fees

Am I guaranteed enrollment once I register for a CEL program?

Many programs are application-based with different levels of competitiveness.  See “Programs Offerings” for more information on each program.

For non-application-based programs, as long as you meet the criteria for the program, you can enroll during normal course enrollment periods.

Where can I find the course listings for these programs?

View course listings here.

What are the fees for the CEL programs?

All CEL programs are academic course offerings and are credit and tuition-based. 

Can I drop a CEL program/course?

You should make every effort to commit to the course into which you are accepted. We encourage you to meet with a CEL staff member or CEL scholar to explore options for the best fit ahead of time. Once assigned to a team, dropping becomes challenging since teams are designed to align skill sets that complement each other for the specific project. Moreover, particularly for competitive programs, dropping the course means taking a spot away from another student.

Learn More

Who can I meet with to learn more about the CEL & their programs?

We encourage you to meet with any one of our three program managers listed below.

We also encourage you to meet with our CEL & CFAR Scholars. Scholars serve as liaisons with the student body and provide additional support to CEL Leadership.