Experiential Learning | A. B. Freeman School of Business

A Powerful Experience

Experiential learning – a highly engaged process of learning by doing – is essential for preparing students for the challenges they will face in the rapidly evolving business landscape. By engaging in real-world projects, students bridge the gap between theory and practice, learning critical thinking and teamwork to complement technical skills and knowledge gained through coursework.

In the pioneering programs offered at Freeman and through our Experiential Business Learning Center, we immerse students in real-world business situations from day one, including consulting projects with organizations, business simulations, case competitions, field exercises and interactive cases.

Consulting & Community

BSM Capstone

Students earning the Bachelor of Science in Management take this semester-long course which integrates the knowledge, skills and concepts acquired from all business classes. Working in teams, students address a complex business problem, often a real-world company engagement, and present their proposal to company officials or, for the best teams, in a case competition at the end of the semester with monetary rewards.

MBA Consulting Practicum

First-year MBA students in the full-time program work in teams with a faculty adviser to develop strategies and solutions to address a client company's business problem. Teams present a report detailing recommendations to the client at the end of the semester.

MBA Impact Capstone

Second-year MBA students synthesize the skills learned across core courses to address current social or environmental issues. Projects will include helping a business become more sustainable or solve social inequities in the community, or helping a non-profit work in areas of resiliency or climate change. Spring 2025.

Projects Courses

In Projects courses, students dive deep into an industry like Energy or a field like Analytics while working with a company on a challenge they are currently facing. Students have analyzed solar investment opportunities and optimized logistics costs for immediate application. Read about students in the Master of Management in Energy who worked with Fluence Dynamics on a plastics recycling project.

Court Watch NOLA

In this service-learning course for undergraduates, students work with the non-profit Court Watch NOLA, which monitors judges and reports on the efficiency of the New Orleans criminal justice system. Students attend court hearings and write up their observations to help bring change to the New Orleans justice system. Read about Court Watch in Freeman News.

We welcome companies who are interested in sponsoring projects and working with our students. Learn more.

Link to come

Finance

Burkenroad Reports

Research a small-cap company located in the Gulf South and write an analyst's report, which you can show potential employers to demonstrate your skills. Application required. Learn more about the Burkenroad Reports course.

Darwin Fenner Student Managed Fund

Actively manage more than $5.8 million of Tulane University's endowment and create a sector model that you can show to prospective employers, giving you a competitive advantage over other candidates. Application Required. Learn more about the Darwin Fenner Student Managed Fund.

Venture Capital and private Equity

Freeman offers courses at the graduate and undergraduate level that analyze the concepts and theories of a wide range of topics related to entrepreneurial finance, including an independent study that interfaces with the Tulane Innovation Institute.

Selber Courses in Alternative Investments

Dedicate a full semester to learning about distressed debt (each spring) or hedge funds (each fall), which complement topics in the traditional long-only equity or investment grade bond world. You'll compete against other teams when you present to industry experts at the end of the semester. Read more about the Selber Courses.

Accounting "Busy Season" Internship

The busy season internship is a full-time internship during the spring semester where joint BSM/MACCT students work with an international or regional public accounting firm. Students spend tax season getting hands-on experience - and many walk away with a full-time job offer. Learn more about the busy season internship.

Freeman is launching the Experiential Business Learning Center thanks to a $5m gift from an alumnus. Read more.

Experiential Learning Gift

Innovation

Student Venture Accelerator

In this two-semester course, students take an idea from concept to launch with guidance from the professor, a team of advisers that includes Lepage Center Innovators-in-Residence and the Lepage Center's mentor network. Learn more about the Accelerator course.

Student Venture Incubator

In this dedicated space, students can develop their ideas while taking advantage of the tools and resources required to start a venture. Students in the incubator participate in Spark Hours and have access to Innovators-in-Residence and pro-bono legal services. Learn more about the Incubator

Pitch Friday

In five monthly pitch competitions, students present their ventures to a team of judges including alumni, investors and industry experts. The winner from each round wins a $1,500 cash prize and secures a spot in the final grand prize round in April, when they will compete for a $15,000 grand prize and $2,500 in pro bono legal services. Learn more about Pitch Friday.

Innovators in Residence

Lepage Innovators-in-Residence are an accomplished group of executives, investors, and entrepreneurs who guide students as mentor for student ventures. In addition, they serve as guest lecturers in the venture accelerator course and offer career advice during set office hours. Learn more about Innovators in Residence.