Service Learning

Service Learning is a credit-bearing academic course that intentionally integrates a sustained community-engaged project with course learning outcomes through reciprocal partnership, structured reflection, and academic assessment.

A course designated as Service Learning meets all the following criteria (the following criteria have been normed from other universities):

1. Direct Connection to Course Learning
Community-engaged activities are explicitly aligned with course learning outcomes and are designed to deepen students’ understanding of disciplinary knowledge, methods, or skills. Activities may occur in the community, on campus, in a laboratory, or in other instructional settings, depending on the nature of the course and the community partnership.

2. Mutual Community Partnership

The course includes a structured collaboration with a community organization, agency, or group in which both students and the community partner gain meaningful benefits. Student academic work contributes to a community-identified need, question, or opportunity, and faculty prepare students to engage appropriately with the partner and its context—even when the work occurs primarily on campus or in lab-based settings.

3. Sustained Student Engagement
Students engage in the community-based project for a minimum of 20 hours over the course of the term. (each student)
These hours may include a combination of direct community interaction, project-based work, data collection or analysis, research, preparation, or applied coursework, depending on the discipline and project design.

4. Structured and Guided Reflection
The course includes intentional, guided reflection that helps students connect their community-engaged work to:

•    course concepts and learning outcomes, and
•    the broader social, professional, or community context of the project.

Reflection may take multiple forms (e.g., written, discussion-based, digital, or project-integrated) and should be appropriate to the discipline and level of the course.

5. Academic Accountability
Community-engaged work is integrated into graded course assignments or assessments and is not treated as an optional or extra-credit activity.

6. Civic, Professional, or Applied Learning
The course supports student development in one or more of the following areas, as appropriate to the discipline:

•    civic awareness or social responsibility, or
•    professional skills and workplace practices, or
•    applied problem-solving in real-world contexts, or
•    cultural competence or the ability to work with diverse populations and partners.

Contact information
Center for Community Engagement and Experiential Learning – email
Contact Dawn Hinton, Associate Provost | hinton@svsu.edu | Extension 7334

1.    Review the Service Learning Designation criteria
2.    Complete the designation application form: SVSU Service Learning Course Designation Application – Fill out form
3.    Await committee review/approval

What is a Service Learning course?

A Service Learning course is a credit-bearing academic course that integrates course learning outcomes with a sustained, community-engaged project, supported by a reciprocal community partnership, guided reflection, and graded academic work.

Is Service Learning the same as volunteering?

No. Service Learning is intentionally designed as part of the course. Community-engaged activities are tied to learning outcomes, supported by reflection, and assessed as part of the course grade.

Do students have to work off campus?

Not necessarily. Service Learning projects may involve:

• direct work with community partners, or
• research, data analysis, laboratory work, or applied projects conducted on campus or in lab settings that support a community partner’s needs.

What counts toward the 20-hour engagement requirement?

The minimum 20 hours may include (for each student):

• time with a community partner,
• lab or research work connected to a community project,
• data collection or analysis,
• project preparation or applied coursework tied to the partnership.

The specific mix varies by discipline and course design.

What does “reciprocal community partnership” mean?

A reciprocal community partnership is a formal collaboration established by the faculty member or department with a named community organization, agency, or individual. The partnership addresses a community-identified need, question, or opportunity and supports student learning in the course.

Can an Independent Study Course Receive the SL Designation?

Yes, as long as the course plan meets the requirements for the SL designation.

What kind of reflection is required?

Reflection should be intentional and guided, helping students connect their community-engaged work to course content and the broader social, professional, or community context. Reflection may take written, discussion-based, digital, or project-integrated forms.

Does Service Learning require a civic or political focus?

No. Service Learning courses may emphasize one or more of the following:

• civic awareness or social responsibility, or
• professional skills and workplace practices, or
• applied problem-solving in real-world contexts, or
• cultural competence and working with diverse populations or partners.

Do internships, clinicals, or practica count as Service Learning?

No. These courses are already designated by name and typically engage students individually rather than as a course.
If a faculty member believes their course is an exception, they are encouraged to consult with the Center for Community Engagement and Experiential Learning (CCEEL).

Why seek a Service Learning designation?

The designation:

• helps students identify community-engaged courses,
• supports institutional reporting and recognition of engaged teaching, and
• connects faculty with support from CCEEL.

Where can I get help?

Faculty interested in Service Learning are encouraged to contact the Center for Community Engagement and Experiential Learning for consultation and support.

What is the process for applying for the Service Learning designation?

Complete the application form. Applications are reviewed by a small committee in the Center for Community Engaged and Experiential Learning.  

Applications are accepted through December of each year for courses that will appear in the following year’s academic schedule.