The use of an experiential approach to teaching and learning by an urban business college is examined. Two texts, one in personnel and the other in small business management, were used as typical models. The relationship of the experiential approach and selected learning theories (Skinner, Gestalt, Rogers, and Knowles) was also analyzed. It is suggested that the key to implementing the experiential approach is to allow the students to express their views and past experiences. By a three-step learning process, which is essentially the basic learning theory of repetition, the student works alone, then in a small group, and the small group reports on its findings. The experiential approach is suggested as an appropriate way to enable students to obtain hands-on experience in a classroom. Application of the experiential approach to a new course in career and life planning is considered. References, guidelines for using experience-based learning in the classroom, and sample student opinions of the experiential approach are included. (SW)