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FAQs
What is Academic Service Learning?
Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that combines your coursework with related community experience to enrich academics, foster personal growth, promote awareness of diversity and help build civic responsibility.
How is service learning incorporated into my grade?
Service Learning is an expectation just like a paper or an exam, so you are required to complete your service learning hours. Your service itself won’t be graded, however, what will be evaluated, is how well you connect your service to your coursework though reflection, discussion and other course goals.
What is the time commitment?
Most instructors require 10-15 hours of service in a given semester. To meet this requirement, it is critical that you begin your service learning as soon as possible after signing up for a placement.
What do I do after I sign up for service learning?
Setting up you placement is your responsibility. Contact the community partner you’ve selected as soon as possible.
How is service learning different from volunteer work?
Whether you are a service learner or a volunteer, you’re providing a valuable service to a community organization. As a service learner though, you will be relating your experiences to a specific course and reflecting and writing about them.
What kind of service will I be doing?
Your service is designed to relate to the course for which it is required and has been developed by the Institute for Service Learning in collaboration with your professor. Each course usually offers a choice of several agencies and a broad range of experiences.
Can I find my own service learning placement?
We strongly encourage you to select a placement from the ones that have been developed by the Institute for Service Learning. We carefully research and build partnerships that link your course to appropriate community agencies to assure a good match. If you do choose an independent placement, you’ll need approval from your professor and the service learning office.
I go to school full time, work and have responsibilities at home. It’s hard to fit in 15 hours of service learning when it seem like I don’t have enough time as it is.
Don’t think of service learning as additional hours; rather view it as part of your coursework, like a discussion section or a paper done outside of class. Most agencies are willing to be flexible and accommodate your schedule, but you need to be flexible too.
Who should I talk to if I have problems or questions?
Please call or e-mail any of the student coordinators or other staff listed under Contacts.
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