Student in community-based learning course helps organize a warehouse with a mathematical algorithm and hangs signs up in warehouse

Community-Based & Experiential Learning

Connect your academic work with direct experience in the community that meets a community-defined need.

On average, 25 community-based learning courses are offered each year providing students the opportunity to learn about social issues while practicing skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and communication. In addition, there are countless fellowships and internships for taking your civic engagement deeper in the summer months.

ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø Student and Freedom School Student smile at each other

Each semester, a number of faculty members teach courses with research or projects based in the community. Many are offered each year so review the list so you can keep these in mind as you map your course schedule!

a faculty member talks to two students in a classroom

The Center for Civic Engagement at ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø has played a central role in community needs assessments and facilitated community-based research projects through academic courses in partnership with faculty.

Additional Opportunities for Experiential Learning

In addition to these opportunities for community-based and experiential learning through the Center for Civic Engagement, we encourage students to explore Catalyst, an initiative that centralizes resources for experiential learning opportunities including internships, education away, community-based learning and undergraduate research. 

Through XPL 199, students also have the opportunity to complete an internship for academic credit.