Service-learning, a form of connected learning, is both an action-oriented teaching method and an educational philosophy. Students, faculty, and staff at community-based organizations work together to develop projects that draw on course content (e.g., discipline specific theories and best practices) to address social issues or specific needs of the organization.

There are several ways for students to incorporate service-learning into their educational experience at Lasell. One opportunity involves registering for a Service-learning Linked-Credit, which is a 1-credit mini-course/project that is connected to an existing 3-or 4-credit course. The Service-learning Linked-Credit affords students opportunities to extend or deepen their learning experiences via academic service-learning. Some faculty incorporate service learning components into their course as a course requirement. Other opportunities involve the Alternative Breaks Program. This program involves immersive service-learning experience working directly with people and organizations, typically in other regions during Lasell’s institutional breaks each year (e.g. long holiday weekends and March spring break).

To learn more about service-learning opportunities, talk to your course professor and/or contact staff at the Center for Community-Based Learning: TD Byrd Hughes, ccbl@lasell.edu.