Center for Community Engagement
Center for Community Engagement
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 (a for-profit business doesn’t count) |
Volunteering at a faith-based organization without faith requirement (teaching Sunday
School, evangelism, singing in choir doesn’t count) |
Volunteering as part of an event that raises money for charity (donating items or
asking for donations doesn’t count) |
Volunteering with a campus department for an activity that benefits a charity or the
general well-being of the USM community (activities that only help University departments
don’t count) |
Student activities that benefit the health or well-being of the community or campus
(tabling to recruit members for a student org or putting on recreational activities
don’t count) |
Volunteering with citizenship or voter registration activities (campaigning for a
specific candidate or political party doesn’t count) |
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 |