Evidence firmly indicates that applied learning -- through problem-based approaches, community-based engagement, and/or cross-disciplinary collaborative actions -- provides distinctive and developmental benefits to students. Though applied learning has traditionally been facilitated in face-to-face contexts, the rise of online education, coupled with the pivot to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, make it necessary to consider how applied learning can effectively be delivered online. To better explore this contemporary educational reality, this paper seeks to accomplish three goals. First, we aim to establish a close linkage between applied learning and online education, delineating their connection as a high-quality and forward-looking practice. Second, we present a literature review that supports our initial claims and meaningfully synthesizes aspects of the applied learning and online education literature bases. Third, we provide initial coverage of practices -- some of which are borne directly from the COVID-19 pandemic -- that have proved beneficial in fostering applied learning and student development in online settings. We close with brief implications for future research and practice.