Experiential Learning

What’s different about studying computing at RIT? It’s the opportunity to co-op and intern with top companies in myriad sectors. You’ll earn more than a degree. You’ll gain real-world experience from full-time, paid cooperative education and internships. Moreover, you'll stand out from your competitors with career experience before you graduate. College of Computing students are often recruited to work full-time at the same companies where they complete their co-ops, and RIT is ranked by US News & World Report as the 5th Top School for Co-Op or Internship Programs. Learn more about co-op at the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education.

The Golisano College of Computing pursues a broad and robust agenda of research and scholarly activities that advance the fields of computing and information sciences while enhancing student education. Faculty and students at the Golisano College participate in a vast array of computing research fields ranging from cybersecurity to human-computer interaction and health IT. Our state-of-the-art facilities, world-class faculty, and industry partnerships have made the Golisano College a hotbed for innovation in recent years. Learn more about key research areas and opportunities in the college's Research section.

To prepare you for success in today’s global society, RIT offers study abroad opportunities that give you insight into innovative computing and technology solutions being developed around the world. You’ll further develop your problem-solving skills and increase your cultural competence which will set you apart in a globalized work environment. Options include programs led by College of Computing faculty, at RIT’s global locations in Croatia, Dubai or Kosovo, or with one of RIT’s affiliate partners.

RIT computing majors who recently studied abroad:

·        Visited Japanese gaming studios and participated in a game jam with local students.
·        Developed mobile design projects and user interfaces in Croatia.
·        Designed and built an interactive web application programming interface while in Australia.
·        Created a fictional world based on Portugal’s history, culture, and urban spaces.
·        Enhanced Japanese language skills over the summer at RIT’s exchange partner Kanazawa Institute of Technology.

RIT has more than 600 study abroad programs in 60 countries for as short as one week to as long as a full year. Programs offer a variety of locations, course offerings, and costs. Start exploring programs in the study abroad Compass.

More about study abroad for College of Computing students.

Additional international opportunities are available for RIT students to do a co-op abroad, apply for international fellowships to study, do research or teach English, or work directly with RIT faculty to tackle real-world global programs through an international research experience. RIT students have worked at refugee camps in Jordan and Rwanda using geographic information systems to map resources, in partnership with universities in Germany, China, and India, and on National Science Foundation-sponsored projects.

RIT students don’t wait until they graduate to make their visions a reality – just ask the creators of Token, a biometric, encrypted, wearable device that offers a combination of convenience and security, via its unique two-factor authentication. Token recently received $1.75 million from New York State Innovation Venture Capital Fund following support from RIT’s Venture Creation Business Incubator. RIT students have also published game to the Xbox and PlayStation platforms—while in school—and launched companies right after graduating.