About Service-Learning
Why service-learning?
Through academic courses utilizing service-learning (S-L), this form of experiential education serves as an educational tool that supports Northeastern’s academic and civic mission. During the S-L process, faculty and students work in collaboration with our community partners to positively contribute to our local and global communities by addressing community interests and needs through the creation and translation of course specific skills and knowledge.
Beyond the outcomes and accomplishments of a given semester, each individual member of an S-L partnership not only receives certain immediate benefits, but more importantly, each is open to new possibilities of how they and their partners are able to continuously contribute to their communities throughout their lifetime.
Who is service-learning?
- Students, undergraduate and graduate (service-learners)
- Faculty members
- Community Partners (non-profit and community-based organizations)
- Service-Learning Teaching Assistants (S-LTAs)
- CCS Service-Learning Program Staff
What is service-learning?
An academically rigorous educational experience in which students:
- participate in organized service activities/project(s) that meet needs identified by the community, and
- reflect on the service activities/project(s) in such a way as to gain further understanding of course/program content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility.
Adapted by the NU Service-Learning Advisory Board (2006), from Bringle, R. and Hatcher, J. A Service Learning Curriculum for Faculty. The Michigan Journal of Community Service-Learning, Fall 1995, pp.112-122