The Applied Experience is the culminating requirement for all BME and HRD majors, as well as students in the HRD certificate program. It gives you the opportunity to connect a work experience with the theories and concepts learned in your BME or HRD coursework. While completing your experience, you’ll also take the Applied Experience course, OLPD 4696, to support your professional development through goal setting, applying course concepts in the workplace, and reflecting on your progress.
Tip: The Applied Experience is intended to be highly individualized based on your own interests and career goals. Be sure to connect with your OLPD major advisor early and often, as we are here to support you throughout the process. You're encouraged to begin planning your Applied Experience 2–3 semesters before graduation.
Ensure you've met course prerequisites.
Secure a professional experience (job, internship, volunteer opportunity) involving activities related to BME or HRD.
Complete the Applied Experience Proposal Form to receive permission to register for OLPD 4696.
Engage in your work experience and complete OLPD 4696 assignments.
Note: Alternate pathways for completing the Applied Experience requirement are discussed below. Please contact your OLPD advisor with questions.
Before you can register for OLPD 4696: Applied Experience for BME and HRD, you need to complete some required courses, known as prerequisites. These courses equip you with the knowledge and tools to bridge your classroom learning and work experience.
You need to complete OLPD 3609: Profession and Practice and at least three out of the four core courses for your major. Core courses provide the foundational knowledge, key concepts, and theoretical frameworks of your major that you will build upon in the Applied Experience course. These courses are offered during the fall and spring semesters, with some available in May or summer sessions.
Note: A complete list of core courses by major can be found below.
You need to complete OLPD 3601, OLPD 3621, and OLPD 3641. HRD certificate students do not need to take OLPD 3609 or OLPD 3202.
OLPD 3401: Teaching Marketing Promotion
OLPD 3318: Introduction to Project Management
OLPD 3424: Introduction to Sales Training
OLPD 4426: Strategic Customer Relationship Management
OLPD 3601: Introduction to Human Resource Development
OLPD 3202: Introduction to Strategies for Teaching Adults
OLPD 3621: Introduction to Training and Development
OLPD 3641: Introduction to Organization Development
The Applied Experience is your opportunity to seek out positions that align with your personal and professional goals, as well as your areas of interest within the major. Students enter the BME and HRD majors with diverse career goals, so the experiences you pursue for your Applied Experience can vary widely.
As you begin the search process, keep the following in mind:
Activities must be related to your major
Work experience can be paid or unpaid
Can be a full time or part time job, internship, or volunteer experience
Positions must be a minimum of 6 weeks
Position can be in-person, remote, or hybrid
Positions must have a supervisor, and the supervisor cannot be a family member or student
While enrolled in OLPD 4696, you are required to complete 40 hours of work per credit.
Utilize job sites such as Handshake, Linkedin, and the UMN student employment site.
Create a list of organizations you would like to intern with and contact them directly. Many internship positions are not advertised.
Share your career interests with people you know. Networking is one of the best ways to discover hidden opportunities.
Create your own internship with an organization that does not have a current internship program.
There is also potential to use an existing role as long as new activities or projects are involved.
Note: If you or a potential employer have questions about the eligibility of a position for the Applied Experience, speak with your OLPD advisor. Potential employers may find the Applied Experience Guide for Employers and Site Supervisors helpful.
The Career Services team in CEHD is here to support you throughout all stages of your career journey.
Check out the CEHD Career Services website for more information about their services and to schedule an appointment with a career coach.
Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, Event Planning, Finance, Business Development, Consulting, Management, Business Analytics
Marketing/Communication Intern, Best Buy
Marketing Associate, MN Daily
Financial Advisor Intern, Northwestern Mutual
Fulfillment Leader, Target
Digital Communications Assistant, College of Liberal Arts
Training and development (developing, implementing, evaluating training, conducting needs assessment), Organization development (coaching, assessing organizational culture, engaging in diversity and equity initiatives)
Diversity & Inclusion Intern, MN Dept of Human Services
Learning & Development Intern, Medica
Career Services Student Worker, School of Public Health
Recruitment & Onboarding Intern, MN Children's Museum
People Team Intern, Drip
Before enrolling in OLPD 4696, you must first secure a position involving activities related to BME or HRD.
Once you’ve secured your role, complete the Applied Experience Proposal Form for your major (takes ~15–20 minutes). You’ll need to provide details about your site, supervisor, expected responsibilities, and upload documentation confirming your position (e.g., offer letter).
Submit the form one semester before you plan to take OLPD 4696. Registration is by permission only, and you’ll receive instructions once your proposal is approved. It is your responsibility to register for OLPD 4696 after receiving departmental approval.
OLPD 4696 is a variable credit course, meaning you choose how many credits to register for (1-4 credits) based on how many hours you'll work during the semester:
1 credit = 40 hours
4 credits = 160 hours
Note: Most students complete the 4 credit requirement in one semester, but you may split credits across multiple terms if needed. You'll select your credit amount in the proposal form and again when registering for OLPD 4696.
You must be actively engaged in your work experience during the same semester you're registered for OLPD 4696. Experience completed before the course begins can't be counted. For example, you can't complete your experience over the summer and register for the course in the fall.
OLPD 4696 is an online-only course delivered through Canvas. Although there are no set meeting times, you'll be responsible for completing course readings and assignments by set deadlines throughout the semester.
Although the majority of students satisfy their Applied Experience requirement by registering for OLPD 4696, there are alternate options available.
OLPD 4421: Practicum in Nonprofit Organizations (2 credits)
Can be taken a maximum of two times (for a total of 4 credits)
Learning Abroad or National Student Exchange (while an active BME/HRD major)
Any credits earned abroad/on National Student Exchange can go toward the Applied Experience
Note: You can combine different options to earn the 4 credits needed for the Applied Experience. For instance, you might enroll in OLPD 4421 (2 credits) one semester, and enroll in OLPD 4696 (for 2 credits) in another semester.
As a student, you are ultimately responsible for securing your own role. We highly recommend utilizing Career Services, Handshake, advisors, instructors, and tapping into friends and family networks. Not sure where to get started? Connect with your OLPD advisor.
You can utilize jobs, internships, and even volunteer experiences, as long as the position involves activities related to your major. When looking for a work experience, consider what major courses you've found most interesting, and what aspects of business would help you explore career opportunities and interests.
Registration for OLPD 4696 is through permission only. After securing a position, submit the BME Applied Experience Proposal Form or HRD Applied Experience Proposal Form. This form takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete and requires you to input your Applied Experience site and supervisor information, as well as information regarding your expected responsibilities. You are also required to submit a document of proof that you have secured a position (offer letter, letter from supervisor, etc.).
Each credit equals 40 hours of work. To register for 4 credits of OLPD 4696, you'll need to accrue 160 hours over the course of the semester.
You need to be registered for OLPD 4696 during the same semester you complete your workplace experience; retroactive work experiences aren’t allowed.
Current places of employment have the potential to be used for the Applied Experience as long as it involves new projects or activities. Please consult with your OLPD advisor if you have a current role you'd like to explore using.
Plan to submit your BME Applied Experience Proposal form or HRD Applied Experience Proposal Form the semester prior to when you intend to complete your Applied Experience. Proposal forms are reviewed during registration season and permission is issued starting the second week of registration. Permission to register is dependent on a variety of factors, including when the proposal form is submitted and enrollment capacity in OLPD 4696. Permission to register after the semester has started is not guaranteed.
We recognize that many positions may not align perfectly with the dates of an academic term. Generally speaking, this is okay, as long as you will begin work within the first few weeks of the term, your work will last at least 6 weeks, and you will accrue the required work hours per credit registered. Please consult with your OLPD advisor if you’re concerned about this.
Note: Regardless of when your employment begins or ends, you are required to participate in OLPD 4696 coursework throughout the full academic term in which you are registered.
Contact your OLPD advisor if you intend to apply credits from study abroad or National Student Exchange.
You are required to complete a total of 6 credits (4 for BME, 2 for HRD). While enrolled in OLPD 4696, it's expected that the activities and projects are connected to either HRD or BME during that time.
You are eligible to complete your Applied Experience at any point, as long as you’ve met the course prerequisites and have a position secured. Most students choose to complete their Applied Experience in their final semester.
If you plan to fulfill your Applied Experience requirement through study abroad credits, you will not register for OLPD 4696. Instead, your advisor will approve credits from your study abroad experience to meet the requirement. Be sure to discuss your plans with your OLPD advisor before you depart.