College of Education and Health Professions Immerses Students in Real World Through Experiential Learning

From the deep blue waters of the Caribbean to brightly colored schoolrooms, through bustling hospital hallways and at lively sports venues, students in the College of Education and Health Professions immerse in hands-on learning across various settings.

In the 2025-2026 academic year, 1,649 students in the college were involved in internships and clinical experiences, with 95% of them in Arkansas, learning in 64% of the state's 75 counties.

The college partners with 1,353 schools, clinics, hospitals, nonprofits and community organizations across the U.S. to offer these experiential learning opportunities.

These firsthand experiences help equip students with the skills, confidence and connections they will need after graduation, while also serving communities in Arkansas and beyond.

"I was so lucky to have received hands-on learning while an undergraduate student," said Kylie Weeks, who started her master's degree in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program this fall. "I feel more prepared to work with students in my off-campus clinicals that will begin soon."

Weeks, who is studying to be a speech-language pathologist, said it's rewarding to gain experience and skills while also helping young children.

"Having the opportunity to engage with children while also learning how to lead a speech therapy session was so beneficial," she said. "I feel much more prepared to work more independently with students."

Stephanie Hicks, a faculty member in the program, noted that students volunteer through the National Student Speech Hearing Language Association, support clinical services in the U of A Speech and Hearing Clinic and participate in community-based speech-language and hearing screenings as part of their experiential learning.

"All of these opportunities help them build real-world skills while serving families," she said.

In the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, experiential learning begins in the first semester with a health assessment skills lab. Students gain hands-on practice in a safe environment without compromising patient safety, allowing them to learn from mistakes without the pressure of the bedside. As they progress, training becomes more complex, incorporating AI simulations, traditional mock scenarios and direct patient care experiences into every practicum course.

By the time they graduate, nursing students will have completed over 500 hours of experiential learning, preparing them to seamlessly transition into professional practice and make an immediate impact on patient care.

Students in the college's various Health, Human Performance and Recreation programs also learn through doing.

Alli Granados, a student in the accelerated sports management master's program, has taken advantage of numerous experiential learning and professional development opportunities, including day-long trips to area sport and tourism facilities and overnight trips to peek behind the scenes at various sporting events in other states.

"I think the recreation and sport management major does an exceptional job of offering relevant experiences to students," she said. "Throughout these trips, I learned about jobs I didn't know existed. I gained valuable advice from people currently working within the industry that you can't find in a classroom. I learned about having skills that will set you apart from others and got to network with so many professionals. I believe these trips put me ahead because of all the valuable insights I gained from them. I truly think they are a big part of my future success, and I am so thankful I got to attend each of these."

Students in the department's outdoor leadership program also participate in skill-focused courses and overnight excursions. During this year's May intersession, students sailed the Caribbean, connecting outdoor recreation theory to practice. From St. Martin to nearby islands, they learned and led in a remote setting, developing skills in facilitation, group dynamics, risk management, trip planning and adventure-based leadership.

As of this fall, the college offers an online outdoor recreation and sport tourism master's degree program, featuring hands-on learning, industry partnerships and real-world experiences that are directly linked to careers in Arkansas' outdoor recreation and tourism economy.

While many of the college's experiential learning opportunities take students out of the classroom, education students are excited to step into K-12 classrooms to put their skills into practice as they prepare for teaching careers.

Josie Boykin, a Master of Arts in Teaching student, is embarking on her "residency" — a new term that replaces internship — in the final year of her program. She also engaged in extensive field work in classrooms as an undergraduate.

"One of the things I value most about the COEHP Elementary Education program is how hands-on it is," she said. "From my first education course, Intro to Education, to now, I have been immersed in schools all across Northwest Arkansas. I truly believe that hands-on learning has taught me what being an effective and responsible educator looks like."

Some teacher candidates participate in the program's high-impact literacy tutoring field experience at local elementary schools to build hands-on skills and prepare for their yearlong student teaching. In the first semester in their program, juniors in K-6 Elementary and Childhood Education partner with the Elkins Public School District and, as of this fall, will also work with kindergartners at West Fork Elementary.

Ellie Pohlman participated in the literacy tutoring program last year. "The most impactful part of that placement was tutoring two kindergarten students one-on-one. Not only did I learn how to lesson plan and personalize a lesson, but I discovered how to motivate students who may otherwise be apathetic towards learning," she said. "Personal goal setting has changed the game for me, and I cannot wait to implement that into my future classroom."

Pohlman is in her senior year, participating in the K-6 Bachelor of Science in Education program's residency.

Pohlman and Boykin will spend up to four days a week in their yearlong residency applying what they've learned in their teacher preparation courses. Through their residencies, teacher candidates have the opportunity to experience the full school year with students to see how they grow academically and socially. Boykin looks forward to planning and executing meaningful lessons, gaining feedback and gradually taking on more responsibility in the classroom.

"I am excited to learn from my students, my mentor teacher, my U of A liaison and the other teachers around me as I continue developing my own teaching style," she said. "I am so thankful to attend a university and program that values setting up teacher candidates for success."

Pohlman found it energizing to participate in the professional development week with the teachers at the school where she'll be practice teaching.

"This helped me see what happens behind the scenes before students arrive," she said. "It has also served our class well as I transition to more teaching/leadership roles in the classroom, as my students have seen me as one of their teachers from the first day of school. My favorite part of residency so far is understanding the diverse needs and personalities of my class, as well as how that influences instruction. I look forward to growing as an educator this year."