Service Learning

What is Service-Learning, and why should I enroll in a Service-Learning class?

Service is at the heart of an Ohio State University education. Many of our graduates go on to serve their respective communities through the work they do, their research, or the ways in which they volunteer to help make their towns and cities great places to live. Service Learning is a wonderful way to begin that experience while still working towards a degree. Service-Learning courses (designated by an "S" after the course number) take learning out of the classroom and into the community, bringing students to local organizations where they can put their learning and skills into actual practice, making a positive impact on the lives of the people and organizations they work with. Learning through direct engagement with the local community builds communication skills, creates meaningful community connections, and contributes to personal growth. It can also help students recognize the connection between work done in the classroom and "real-world" applications.

How is Service-Learning different from Community Service?

Ohio State Lima sponsors activities throughout the year that give students the opportunity to contribute to our local community. The University encourages all students (and faculty, staff, and administrators!) to volunteer their time and energy to organizations in need of help. Many students volunteer through student clubs/organizations they're involved with, or as part of a larger campus initiative, or sometimes on their own. Generally, these service opportunities are not attached to class work, although some professors will give extra credit points for participating in particular community service initiatives. Students do not receive academic credit for community service. To find out more about community service opportunities, you can follow this link to our WeServe page

Service Learning differs from community service in that it is intricately connected to the classroom. A Service-Learning class may operate in several different ways, but key to the learning experience is the direct connection with a community organization where the students and their professor will conduct a portion of their work. The following Service-Learning courses will be offered on the Lima campus for the 2022/2023 academic year:

Educational Studies 2189S First Education Experience Program (FEEP): Provides opportunities for students to explore education as a possible career path via a combination of field and seminar requirements. Students spend time in local, public PreK-12 school-based settings, interacting with various professionals and students.

Theatre 4921S Performance Studies in Outreach Theatre: Rehearsal/performance of annual Theatre for Young Audiences production. Prereq: Permission of instructor, by audition. (Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs.)

More Service-Learning courses are currently in the process of being developed by faculty, with the goal being to have Service-Learning courses in every major and/or minor on our campus.

If you're interested in learning more about Service Learning at The Ohio State University, you can go to the webpage: Students | Office of Service-Learning (osu.edu) OR you can contact the Ohio State Lima coordinator of Service-Learning, Meggie Young