MGT 3020:

BSE Experiential Learning Requirement

Course Overview

MGT 3020 is a hands-on experiential learning requirement that builds on your Business Skills & Experiences (BSE) coursework. You will complete 3 total credits of applied learning through internships, leadership roles, case competitions, or other approved experiences.

The requirement helps you connect classroom learning to real-world practice while developing leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. MGT 3020 also serves as a pre or co requisite for MGT 4035.

This is the kind of hands-on experience you can put on your resume and talk about with employers, showing that you’ve applied your skills in real-world settings and are ready to contribute from day one.

Learning Outcomes

By completing MGT 3020, you will:

  • Apply business knowledge in real-world settings
  • Strengthen professional and leadership skills through hands-on learning
  • Gain experience that supports career exploration and future goals
Key Requirements
  • Complete the required 3 total experiential learning credits prior to graduation
  • Credits may be completed through one experience or across multiple experiences
  • Credits should be completed after finishing MGT 2010 and MGT 2015 and after declaring your major
  • Credits are encouraged to be completed during your junior year
  • Credits may be taken before or concurrently with MGT 4035
  • You must apply each time you request MGT 3020 credit. For example, if completing multiple 1-credit experiences, a separate application is required for each.

Ways to Complete the Requirement

1. Built-In MGT 3020 Experience

Eccles provides the experience for you.

What to expect

  • You enroll in MGT 3020 and participate in an Eccles-coordinated experience
  • Structured format with guided support
  • Earn 1 credit per experience (stack to reach 3 credits)

Best for students who

  • Want a structured, pre-approved opportunity
  • Prefer guidance and built-in support

Earn credit for an experience you secured independently.

What to expect

  • You already have an internship, leadership role, or approved project
  • You request approval to enroll in MGT 3020 based on that experience
  • Reflection assignments connect your work to course learning

Examples

  • Internship secured independently
  • Leadership role in an organization
  • Startup or project-based experience

Best for students who

  • Have independently secured a structured experiential opportunity

Complete an approved experiential course outside of MGT 3020.

What to expect

  • You enroll in another University of Utah course with experiential learning
  • Approved courses fulfill corresponding MGT 3020 credit hours

Examples

  • Pre – Approved Courses include:
    • MGT 3025 – BSE Ambassador Experiential Learning
    • HNKLY 3160 – Campaign Management
    • HNKLY 4900-4922 – Hinckley Internships
    • BUS 5880 – Business Internship Programs
    • MKTG 4880 – Marketing Experiential Learning
    • STRAT 3800, STRAT 5800, or STRAT 5820 – Goff Experiential Learning
  • Students can petition for a different experiential U of U course by completed the application above.

Best for students who

  • Want an intensive experiential program outside of MGT 3020
  • Are accepted into an approved alternative course

When should you apply?

You should apply when:

  • You have completed MGT 2010 and MGT 2015, and
  • You are applying for the semester in which you plan to complete your experience

You should submit your application for the semester in which you will complete your experience. Applications open prior to the start of each semester, so you can apply in advance. Late and retroactive applications will not be approved.

The application is currently open to apply for the Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 semesters.

Note and Example

MGT 3020 Experiential Learning FAQ

MGT 3020 is a required experiential learning course where business students earn 3 credits through hands-on experiences such as internships, leadership roles, case competitions, or approved programs.

This is a required part of the business core that lets you apply classroom learning in real-world settings and gain hands-on experience you can showcase on your resume. It prepares you for your capstone course, MGT 4035, strengthens your professional skills, and makes you more competitive in the job market. This is the kind of experience you can talk about with employers, showing that you’ve applied your skills and are ready to contribute from day one.

All undergraduate business students are required to complete MGT 3020 before graduation.

You must have completed and passed MGT 2010 and MGT 2015.

Possibly. The experience must involve new learning, projects, increased responsibility, or skill development beyond routine job duties.

No. Experiences must be current or upcoming for the semester you’re applying for. You cannot receive credit for:

  • Jobs or experiences completed in previous semesters
  • Freshman or sophomore year activities

Exception: If you have taken an approved experiential course in a past semester, it will automatically appear in your degree audit and fulfill the requirement. Examples of approved courses include MGT 3040, MKTG 3100, FIN 3200, or any course listed on the approved experiential course list.

Pre-approved U of U Experiential courses can count for credit. LINK You can petition for new or other U of U experiential courses, which may be eligible. Previously completed, pre-approved courses, may be eligible for credit if you can demonstrate that you’ve completed and passed the course.

Yes. Summer experiences are eligible as long as you are enrolled in MGT 3020 for that same term. Previous summer internships are not eligible. You must be enrolled in MGT 3020 while completing the internship so you can complete course assignments. The course is offered online through Canvas, so you can complete the requirements remotely if needed.

It is recommended that students complete MGT 3020 during their junior year (fall, spring, or summer).

Yes, but it is recommended to be completed in your junior year.

MGT 3020 is a pre- or co- requisite for MGT 4035. You are encouraged to complete MGT 3020 during your junior year, before you take MGT 4035 during the last semester of your senior year. However, you can take it concurrently if needed.

Concurrent enrollment may be allowed if needed, although it is encouraged to complete MGT 3020 during your junior year.

You must complete 3 total credits of experiential learning through MGT 3020 or a preapproved alternative.

Credit is determined based on:

  • Time commitment
  • Scope and complexity of the experience
  • Learning outcomes demonstrated

Yes. You can earn all 3 credits from a single experience if it meets the requirements for three credit hours. Alternatively, you can combine multiple 1 or 2 credit experiences to fulfill the 3-credit requirement.

Yes. You can combine multiple experiences either within the same term or across different terms (for example, three separate 1-credit experiences) to fulfill the 3-credit requirement.

Please review the pathways outlined on the website.

Yes. Students must be enrolled in MGT 3020, or an approved alternative U of U course, to receive credit, even if using an approved experience.

You should apply when:

  • You have completed MGT 2010 and MGT 2015, and
  • You are applying for the semester in which you plan to complete your experience

You should submit your application for the semester in which you will complete your experience. Applications open prior to the start of each semester, so you can apply in advance. Late and retroactive applications will not be approved.

Note: If you are currently enrolled in and on track to pass MGT 2015, and are on track to be admitted into your major, you may submit your application early for the following semester. You will not be officially enrolled in MGT 3020 until you have successfully completed MGT 2015 and have been or are on track to be admitted into your major.

It depends on the pathway you are applying for. The application will outline everything you need. You may be required to provide:

  • Pathway 1:
    • Just complete the request form to pick your MGT 3020 section. Nothing else is required to be provided.
  • Pathway 2:
    • Experience details, including organization information, role, and responsibilities
    • Description of your experience, including application of business knowledge and skill development
    • Verification letter from your supervisor
  • Pathway 3:
    • Select which alternative course you are taking
    • Screenshot of your course schedule
    • Copy of the course syllabus

Please refer to the application for full requirement details.

Credit is officially awarded after you:

  • Complete and pass MGT 3020 or an approved alternative experiential course
  • Meet the requirements of the pathway you selected

Once you have successfully passed the course, your earned credits will be reflected in your DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System).

If you have an experience you believe should count, submit the application along with all required supporting information. It will be reviewed and evaluated, and you will be notified once your request is approved.

You must notify your MGT 3020 instructor or advisor immediately if any issues arise. To earn credit, you must complete and pass both your experience and the MGT 3020 coursework.

You can enroll in MGT 3020 again in a future semester.