Academics | Cal Poly Skip to main content Close Main navigation * Visit * Apply * Give Global Navigation * About Cal Poly * About Cal Poly * Facts and Figures * President and Leadership * Rankings and Awards * Academics * Academics * Academic Calendar * Academic Advising and Services * Centers and Institutes * Colleges * Internships and Co-ops * Library * Research * Study Abroad * Student Life * Student Life * Athletics and Recreation * Clubs and Organizations * Health, Wellbeing and Safety * Housing and Dining * Tuition and Financial Aid * Tuition and Financial Aid * Financial Aid * Student Accounts * University Divisions * Cal Poly Maritime Academy * Admissions * Mustang Athletics * News * Contact Us Find Information For * Students * Parents * Alumni * Staff * Faculty Close Search Cal Poly Websites Other Ways to Search * Campus Map * Directory * Find a major Top Navigation * My Cal Poly Portal * Students * Parents * Alumni * Staff * Faculty * Visit * Apply * Give Menu Academics Global Navigation In this Section * Academics * Academic Calendar * Academic Advising and Services * Centers and Institutes * Colleges * Internships and Co-ops * Library * Research * Study Abroad * More 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. Explore Undergraduate Programs 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. Explore Graduate Programs 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. Internships & Co-ops 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. Study Abroad 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 Senior Projects 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. Research at Cal Poly Six Academic Colleges Endless Career Options Choose your college, then choose from over 180 undergraduate degree programs, minors, graduate programs and certificates. You can find detailed curriculum information in the Cal Poly Catalog . There are no wrong choices, each is rooted in Learn by Doing. 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