Signature Experience Interests

All Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design students under the Fall 2022 catalog are required to complete an approved Signature Experience as a condition of graduation.

Students must complete one experience in any of the four INTERESTS categories: INTErnship, REsearch, STudy Abroad, or Service Learning.

Choose Your INTERESTS Category

Select the experience that best aligns with your academic and career goals. You only need to complete one category to fulfill your Signature Experience requirement.

Internship

Gain hands-on industry experience through a company internship, co-op, or professional placement.

Research

Work alongside faculty or research teams on academic or applied research projects.

Study Abroad

Expand your global perspective by completing approved coursework outside the United States.

Service Learning

Apply classroom learning to community-based projects through structured service activities.

Two Ways to Fulfill the Signature Experience Requirement

Option A

Complete a Klesse Course (Grade C- or Better)

Choose a course that is linked to one of the INTERESTS categories. This option lets you satisfy the Signature Experience requirement while also meeting another program requirement.

  • Counts toward a core-curriculum requirement, or
  • Counts as a technical elective in your program, or
  • Counts toward a certificate program.
View Approved Courses 

Option B

Participate in an Approved Co-Curricular Activity

Complete an approved internship, research program, study abroad program, or service learning experience outside of a standard course.

Pre-approved examples include:

  • Company or summer internships
  • Undergraduate research programs and fellowships
  • UTSA Education Abroad approved programs
  • Engineering Without Borders community development projects

Students may also propose alternative co-curricular experiences for approval.

Explore Co-Curricular Options 

Signature Experience (EID) Zero-Credit Courses

In addition to your main course or co-curricular activity, you will also enroll in a zero-credit EID course tied to your INTERESTS category. These courses are graded Pass/Fail and help track completion of the requirement.

Internship

Enroll in:

EID 3100
Signature Experience Internship

Research

Enroll in:

EID 3200
Signature Experience Research

Study Abroad

Enroll in:

EID 3300
Signature Experience Study Abroad

Service Learning

Enroll in:

EID 3400
Signature Experience Service Learning

Typical Timeline

If You Choose a Klesse Course (Option A)

  1. Meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss INTERESTS options and identify a course.
  2. Register during the Registration Period for:
    • the INTERESTS-linked course, and
    • the associated EID 0-credit course.
  3. Complete surveys related to your experience during the semester.
  4. At the end of the term, a Pass/Fail grade is assigned for the EID course.

If You Choose a Co-Curricular Activity (Option B)

  1. Obtain approval for your co-curricular experience and gather required documentation.
  2. Register during the Registration Period for the appropriate EID 0-credit course (Internship, Research, Study Abroad, or Service Learning).
  3. Complete surveys about your experience throughout the term.
  4. At the end of the semester, a Pass/Fail grade is assigned for the EID course.

Helpful Resources

Use the links below to learn more, review approved activities, and monitor your progress toward graduation.

Questions?

For questions about the Signature Experience requirement or approved activities, please contact:

Arturo Montoya
Signature Experience Coordinator
Arturo.Montoya@utsa.edu