Service-Learning Initiative

Download Service-Learning Q & A for Students (PDF)

What Is a Service-Learning Course?

Service-learning combines the best of active learning and citizenship by connecting course content with service projects that help the community. It is a powerful way of understanding course material by learning from experience. A service-learning course can help:

• Develop personal and social responsibility
• Develop leadership ability and critical thinking skills
• Improve your knowledge of academic subjects
• Expand your world view
• Develop skills for future employment

How to Find a Service-Learning Course

• See the list of Service-Learning Courses offered at Ohio State on this website.
• A growing number of service-learning courses have an “S” as part of their course number to help you identify them. You can use the Registrar’s Master Schedule search options to find these courses.
• Or you can search by “Additional Search Criteria > Course Attribute (SERV) > Course Attribute Value (SERV)” at the Master Schedule website. That search will give you a complete list of service-learning courses for that quarter.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Center for Student Service and Leadership/Ohio Union provides direct service opportunities for students, connects student organizations with service opportunities, coordinates large-scale service programs such as Make a Difference Day, and provides information about alternative breaks involving service. 614/292-SERV
• Pay It Forward website:
  • Identify service sites and projects
  • Track service hours
  • Create a “service resume” listing all your service at Ohio State
• The Buckeye Mentoring Hub provides the opportunity to establish long-term relationships with a child in mentoring/tutoring opportunities near the Columbus campus. For more information, contact the office in the Ohio Union at 614/247-8637 or osumentor@osu.edu; website:http://mentoringcenterco.org/buckeyementor.htm.