experience is the curriculum
Well into our second century, Learn by Doing continues to set Cal Poly students apart from the crowd and prepare them for career success, from day one.
Undergraduate education
The vast majority of our students — 89% — report that Learn by Doing distinguishes Cal Poly from other universities. Employers tell us that it also differentiates our students. It’s the number one reason why undergraduates like you choose us and why, someday, an employer or graduate school is likely to choose you as well.
Graduate education
Our graduate students answer tough questions and uncover practical solutions to our world’s most persistent and pressing problems just as our undergraduates do, by engaging their heads and hands. This practice-orientated approach to graduate education gives students the advanced knowledge and leadership skills necessary to hit the ground running and make a difference from day one.
Take an ACtive Role in your Education
We make it easy
On the Job Learning
Nothing prepares you for a career better than doing the work. It’s fundamental to Learn by Doing, and it happens beyond the classroom. Many of our majors require you to complete an internship or cooperative learning experience, so that your education is about mastering a subject and making real-world connections while you’re at it.
Competing Globally
Our world is more connected than ever. The opportunity to live outside the US while still in college provides a global perspective which will serve you throughout your career. Cal Poly offers more than 500 ways to experience hands-on learning in 75 different countries, enabling you to experience new cultures, make new friends and broaden your perspective.
Capping it All Off
Cal Poly first required seniors to complete a capstone project in 1940, placing even greater emphasis on Learn by Doing. Today, your project might take the form of scholarly research, an industry partnership, a public performance or business start-up. It’s up to you and your advisor. Your senior project is proof to us — and more importantly, to yourself — that you are ready for whatever comes next
Undergraduate Research
Testing Ideas and Pursuing Knowledge
Research is a powerful learning tool, which is why we invite our undergraduate students to participate. It is also why we are opening the William and Linda Frost Center for Research and Innovation, a 102,000-square-foot undergraduate research complex featuring dedicated spaces for faculty/student research and student collaboration. That’s on top of 25 institutes, centers and labs already across campus.
