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Community Service Learning
Community service learning is a teaching method that allows students to develop knowledge and improve their academic skills by doing hands-on activities that address local community needs. One facet of community service learning is civic engagement, which the American Psychological Association (APA) defines as “individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern.” Both community service learning and civic engagement involve active participation that is focused on the common good.
Research has shown that students' thinking and reasoning become more complex after taking service-learning courses. In other words, service learning not only motivates students, but can and does make them more informed, and thus better citizens.
Service learning is NOT an internship, which develops students for specific professions, nor is it volunteering where you may be asked to perform various tasks that may not be relevant to your course's academic learning objectives.
At SF State, the total number of hours (at least 20–40 each semester) you complete in officially-recognized service learning classes is recorded on your Official Transcript. CSL hours on your transcript helps you in applications for scholarships and awards, admissions to graduate or professional programs, and demonstrates maturity and experience to future employers. At SF State, there are more than 400 exciting, designated service learning courses available to you.
We encourage you to develop your mind, your leadership ability, and your commitment to community through service learning. If you are interested in learning through community service, please click on the Process link below, or in the left navigation menu.
