Community-Based Learning Courses
Community-based learning courses are a great opportunity to learn and make a positive difference for people in our community. For more information about Community-Based Learning or with questions, please contact Kristen Wright, Director of Civic Engagement, (CECiL) at kwrigh22@gmu.edu
Steps for Students Enrolled in a Community-Based Learning Course
1. Find a local community organization to work with.
- Some instructors arrange this for you and provided contact information in class.
- Some instructors provide a list of suggested organizations for you to contact. Check for your course number on the sidebar.
- If you need to find a service site on your own, resources are available here.
Allow time for this step and start right away. You may need to contact a number of organizations before you find a good fit. Additionally, some community partners require interviews, resumes, recommendations or a criminal background check.
2. Meet with the staff person who will be supervising you at your selected service site.
- Discuss the tasks you will do, what you hope to learn, and expectations regarding training, supervision, and feedback.
- Discuss your schedule. Keep in mind Mason breaks and any time-consuming class projects or exams you may prefer to schedule around.
- IF your instructor requires it, complete the Community-Based Learning Agreement and Project Description and obtain your site supervisor’s signature. If you are serving in a student team, only one form is required for the whole group.
3. Submit your supervisor’s name and email to SAIL via the Online Community-Based Learning Information form.
4. Submit a signed Community Based Learning Consent and Release Agreement to your instructor.
5. Begin your project.
- Please dress and behave appropriately. You represent Mason.
- Maintain a written timesheet of your service.
- If you are going to miss a scheduled service date or if you drop the course, please notify your supervisor immediately.
6. End of semester evaluations.
