Center for Community Engagement
Approved Community Service
Page Content
Students applying for the USM CItizen Scholars designation should ensure they complete 100 hours SEPARATELY from their community-engaged learning experience.
| What Counts as Community Service |
|
Volunteering with a community organization (not a for-profit business) |
|
Volunteering at a faith-based organization without faith requirement (not teaching
Sunday School, evangelism, singing in choir) |
|
Volunteering as part of an event that raises money for charity (not donating items
or asking for donations) |
|
Volunteering with a campus department for an activity that benefits a charity or the
general well-being of the USM community (not just activities that only help University
departments) |
|
Student activities that benefit the health or well-being of the community or campus
(not just tabling to recruit members for a student org or putting on recreational
activities) |
|
Volunteering with citizenship or voter registration activities (not campaigning for
a specific candidate or political party) |
Not all experiences count as community service. Typically, traditional internships,
practicums, or student teaching experiences do not count because the benefit is almost
entirely for the student. There are exceptions, however.
| Characteristics | Service-Learning | Community Service | Traditional Internship/Practicums/Student Teaching |
|
|
Student and recipient(s) | Recipient(s) | Student |
| Primary Focus | Providing meaningful service & enhancing classroom learning |
Providing meaningful service | Learning by doing |
Intended Educational Purpose/Benefits |
Academic learning, enhanced intellectual and civic engagement | Moral, personal and social growth and development | Career development and professional preparation |
Curricular Integration |
Full integration within the curriculum | None | Co-curricular and supplemental |
| Reflection | Includes structured reflections |
Generally not included | May include reflection |
Nature of Service Activity |
Based on course topic or discipline | Based on student interest or motivation | Based on industry or career |
Duration of Activity |
Semester | Agency decision | A semester or longer |
Time Commitment |
Prescribed by class instructor | Variable | Prescribed by program |
