Courses utilizing the pedagogy of Service Learning can be designated and searchable in the PeopleSoft system via the Experiential Learning – Service Learning attribute. We ask all faculty who utilize service learning to complete this submission process to get their course designated. Having courses designated will allow the University to have accurate information for reporting and quality control purposes. It will also provide students with the necessary information about their coursework.

Once a course is designated as Service Learning (SL), it will retain this designation throughout its duration. However, to ensure the designation is accurately reflected at the Registrar’s office, departments must submit the Experiential Learning – Service Learning attribute every semester the course is offered.

If a course is no longer associated with Service Learning, please notify us at engagement@uconn.edu.

Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by the Service Learning Committee.

In completing this application and upon receiving the service learning designation, you can anticipate several benefits:

1 – Students will have clearer expectations of service learning activities and levels of engagement when they enroll in your class.

2 – Academic Advisers will have the ability to communicate service learning specific courses with students as part of a cluster of courses or an engaged department or program.pdf

3 – You will have access to support from the Office of Outreach and Engagement, Service Learning, in addition to the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) for your course.

4 – Service Learning courses can and should be reported in Digital Measures self-evaluation at the end of the year under categories such as “Teaching Innovations and Other Pedagogical Activities,” “Other Instructional Activities,” “Public and Community Service,” and “Other Industry/Faculty Collaboration”.

5 – You can contribute to a growing group of community-engaged scholars and those who contribute to Community-Based Participatory Research, or CBPR.

6 – You can contribute to meaningful data about Service Learning scholarship and teaching across the University, and collaborate on meaningful and intentional community work that also leads to research and grant funding.

Important deadlines: 

One month before the course registration of any particular semester. Courses will be reviewed on a rolling basis and can be designated retroactively for data collection and analysis purposes.  

Please see the Office of the Registrar for calendar updates.

Syllabus Checklist:

___ the definition of service learning in the syllabus

___ a definition for reflection and add specific placeholders for reflective activities throughout the semester in the syllabus, and explain how that will benefit student learning

___ why have you decided to utilize service learning, and how does this teaching strategy align with meeting course goals and objectives

___ description of the project/s or activities and how they will help meet the course goals and objectives in the syllabus

Assistance can also be found in the Faculty Guidebook. If you need further support, please don’t hesitate to contact the Office of Outreach and Engagement at engagement@uconn.edu.