Nazareth College Center for Service Learning

About Service-Learning

What is Service-Learning?

Service-Learning is a credit-bearing form of experiential education. It is different from internships and work/study programs, because the service is related to specific course content. Service-Learning courses require students to perform academic activities that illustrate the intrinsic connections between learning and life. They require formal student reflections about the meaning of service and community.

Service-Learning is a method of teaching that combines community-based learning with theory and practice. It should help students gain a deeper understanding of course objectives. It should meet community needs and/or build upon community assets. develop sustainable college-community partnerships.

Components of Service-Learning (Michigan Journal of Community Service-Learning (ISSN:1076-0180) pp. 12-13):

1.	Relevant and meaningful service with the community - there must be service provided in the community that is both relevant and meaningful to all stakeholder parties.
2.	Enhanced academic learning - the addition of relevant and meaningful service with the community must not only serve the community but also enhance student academic learning in the course.
3.	Purposeful civic learning - the addition of relevant and meaningful service with the community must not only serve the community and enhance student academic learning in the course, but also directly and intentionally prepare students for active civic participation in a diverse democratic society.

Descriptions	Community Service	Enhanced Academic Learning	Purposeful Civic Learning
Volunteering or Community Service	Yes	No	No
Co-Curricular Service- Learning	Yes	No	Yes
Academic Service-Learning	Yes	Yes	Yes
Internship	Yes*	Yes	No

* Not all internships involve service in the community

Campus Compact

Nazareth College of Rochester is a member of Campus Compact , an organization founded in 1985 by the presidents of Brown, Georgetown and Stanford universities and the Education Commission of the States. Nazareth College President Rose Marie Beston joined in 1987. Today more than 750 institutions of higher education have become members.

advance Service-Learning and community service at Nazareth by seeking funding for new and ongoing programming
participate in programs, grant competitions and other initiatives sponsored by National and New York Campus Compact
conduct faculty development programs on Service-Learning in coordination with the Center for Service-Learning and the new Center for Excellence in Teaching
sponsor students, faculty and programs for local and national awards through Campus Compact and other organizations