In the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, Fridays are intentionally set aside for hands-on experiences like internships, research, creative projects, personal growth, and community work.

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What Are 4D Fridays?

CAHSS has created 4D Fridays as a core expression of the University of Denver’s 4D Experience, ensuring that intellectual growth, well-being, character, and purpose are fully integrated into the student journey. 

Most CAHSS classes meet Monday–Thursday, intentionally reserving Fridays to give students the time and space to practice their future while they earn their degree.  

Our goal is simple: help you explore what you care about, build real skills along the way, and step confidently into whatever comes next.  

Through this reimagined academic model, career development is fully integrated—not siloed—and supported through close collaboration with CAHSS faculty, Burwell Center for Career Achievement, DU Alumni, and DU partners.   

Through 4D Fridays, students will: 

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    Clarify Pathways

    Clarify their interests and values to connect academic and career pathways 

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    Build Relationships

    Build meaningful relationships with faculty, alumni, employers, and mentors who support their growth 

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    Gain Experience

    Gain hands-on experience through research, creative projects, and community-connected learning 

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    Develop Skills

    Develop professional skills and resume experiences through structured workshops, paid internships, and cooperative education partnerships 

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    Embrace Purpose

    Embrace confidence, focus, and a sense of purpose well before graduation 

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    Succeed Post-Graduation

    Graduate as skilled, purpose-driven professionals prepared to succeed in an evolving world 

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Every CAHSS student graduates with:

"Our students don’t just talk about their futures — in CAHSS, they practice it."

Sahara Byrne Dean
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More Likely to Be Employed Within 6 Months

 

Students who complete internships before entering the workforce are more than twice as likely to secure employment within six months of graduation and report higher workplace engagement and sense of purpose.  

Your Path, Year by Year: The 4D Fridays Journey

4D Fridays are structured across all four years of the undergraduate experience so students can explore, build, and step confidently into what comes next.

  • Freshman Year: Discover & Explore

    Students are guided from the start, with structure and support as they explore their future. 

    Students begin career discovery through the Burwell Center for Career Achievement and DU’s 4D Experience. 4D Fridays will focus on exploration activities, personality and passion mapping, and early networking — helping students start connecting interests and values to academic and career possibilities in a supportive, low-pressure environment. 

  • Sophomore Year: Build Skills & Direction

    Students don’t drift — they gain focus while continuing to explore. 

    4D Fridays help students gain clarity and direction through skill-building workshops, alumni and employer engagement, industry exposure, career talks, and design-thinking experiences connected to academic interests. Students begin testing ideas and understanding how their studies translate into real-world opportunities. 

  • Junior Year: Apply & Engage

    Students gain meaningful, résumé-ready experience before graduation. 

    Students advance into deeper professional experiences through credit-bearing career courses, networking sessions, paid internships or cooperative education, and faculty-connected projects. Fridays emphasize applying what has been learned, strengthening professional communication, and building workplace confidence. 

  • Senior Year: Launch & Transition

    Students graduate prepared, confident, and ready to take their next step. 

    Fridays support students as they prepare for life after DU through advanced internships, cooperative education placements with nonprofits or businesses, continued faculty-guided projects, and focused professional skill development in leadership, pitching ideas, storytelling, and career transition planning. 

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Visit Us on Campus

Preview Day at the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Monday, April 13, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. MT - 2:00 p.m. MT

Designed to give prospective students an inside look at the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, this event will give students a chance to explore the diverse academic programs that DU offers, connect with current students, and hear from our world-class faculty. 

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Your Future Isn’t Waiting, It’s Already in Motion

4D Fridays give CAHSS students the space, structure, and support to explore careers, build skills, and gain hands-on experience without sacrificing curiosity, well-being, or joy. 

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