Service-Learning & COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING

SL/CBL GRADUATE Certificate (18 credits total)

A Graduate Certificate in Service-Learning and Community-Based Learning will help you gain high impact strategies for how to teach, coordinate, lead, research, and assess service-learning for educational improvement and community enhancement. Students, faculty, administrators, and community partners from around the world connect with PSU each year to learn programmatic, teaching, learning, and engaged scholarship techniques of service-learning. 

Most students complete the graduate certificate in 4 academic quarter terms (1 calendar year); although it is possible to complete within 3 terms. Students have a maximum time frame for completion of 6 years. Courses are available EVERY term; students may begin or finish any academic quarter. 

(Students may also take the SL courses as electives in their PACE or LSE Masters degree program.)

CURRICULUM (18 credits):

• Required Service-Learning Courses:

ELP 542 Introduction to Service-Learning and Community-Based Learning (4 credits; typically offered each Fall term)  

ELP 543 Service-Learning Leadership and Policy (4 credits; typically offered each Winter term)

• Complete One of the following:

ELP 522 Teaching Diverse Adult Learners (4 credits)  

ELP 536 Curriculum and Pedagogical Design (4 credits)  

ELP 528 Leadership in Educational and Community Organizations (4 credits)   

• Recommended Electives: (as needed to total 18 credits)

ELP 520: Developmental Perspectives on Adult Learning (4 credits; Winter term; online) 

ELP 521: Adult Learning and Motivation (4 credits; Summer term; online)  

Or, complete an additional required course above (ELP 522, ELP 528, or ELP 536)

Any ELP course 511-599 counts as an elective. See PACE Planning and Course Guide for current offerings and delivery formats.

• Required Culminating Experience:

ELP 506 Culminating Project (Self-Directed Learning Experience; 2 credits; offered every term)

OR

ELP 509: Service-Learning Internship (2 credits; offered every term)

In consultation with the faculty adviser, students will either design and complete a service-learning comprehensive project and/or service-learning internship. A total of 2 credits is required and these credits can be taken over separate academic terms if needed.

Service-Learning Faculty Advisor and Coordinator

For questions and/or to schedule an appointment regarding the graduate certificate or master’s specialization, email Dr. Christine Cress, Professor, Educational Leadership & Community Engagement: cressc@pdx.edu