Experiential learning at UW–Madison is transforming education by combining classroom theory with real-world preparation. A computer science capstone course pairs students with companies to solve practical problems. Peter Daly ’21, a participant in the pilot course and now an instructor, helps Badgers gain industry-relevant skills before graduation. The course, currently enrolling around 100 students per semester, emphasizes agile development and cross-functional teamwork. Projects range from full-stack applications to start-up innovations, offering students hands-on practice and companies a chance to evaluate potential hires.
“The fact that the university is offering what is essentially an internship to these students is great,” says Daly, who serves as a mentor for current capstone students.
Similarly, the Wisconsin School of Business offers a consulting practicum for students in its master’s in business analytics program. Through a boot camp and semester-long projects, students tackle real business challenges. Companies like Fetch and Fair Indigo benefit from students’ technical and soft skills, while students gain confidence and job opportunities, some even securing roles after the project is completed. With plans to expand experiential learning to all business undergraduates by 2028, UW–Madison is committed to preparing students for success while delivering fresh insights to industry partners.